Emessay Notes September 2009

Passing Shrouds For Our Honored Veterans

         Corinne Bush, wife of Oregon Grand Master Art Bush, has created a project of making “Passing Shrouds” for Veterans who pass away in a VA Hospital. Here is the story as Corinne Bush tells it:

“When my husband Art was Senior Grand Warden of Oregon in February of 2008, he accompanied MWB Dennis Johnson and visited the Veteran’s Hospital here in Portland, Oregon.

It was on this visit that he heard from the volunteer staff on duty about a need to make the passing of our men and women in uniform more dignified. Apparently when a Veteran “passes”, their body is placed on a gurney, covered with a plain white sheet and sometimes left in the hallway passage until it is transported to the morgue. Everyone who walks by the gurney while it’s in the hallway knows that under that plain white sheet is a Veteran.

The volunteers would like something more than just a plain white sheet, so when Art came home and told me the story, I immediately thought of creating a covering out of red, white & blue. I decided to call the covers by a more fitting name, “Passing Shrouds for Our Honored Veterans” and they would be made out of fabric with any shade of red, white or blue. The size would be 5 ft. by 7 ft. and the back panel could be made of any color, for it was not the back that would be seen but the top, the top had to be red, white & blue. I have also incorporated the use of older American flags that are no longer serviceable, but still have a value. I am incorporating these symbols of our freedom and liberty into these “passing shrouds.” What better way to honor a Veteran than to place him under the red, white and blue as they wait for that final trip.”

We at MSA encourage this program and ask anyone interested to contact Corinne Bush at:

Corrine Bush
                                             6310 SW Pamela St.
                                             Portland, OR 97219-8114
                                             (503) 624-8665
                                             Ohmiss17@verizon.net

P.S. Be sure and ask about the beautiful lapel pin that is also available!

 

General Lafayette

 

            MSA has recently carried stories about the influence of Freemasonry on the early leaders in our newly formed States. This anecdotal story about the Marquis de Lafayette involves Illinois’ first Governor who was also the 1st Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois:

“The War for Independence, or Revolutionary War, is one of the most documented, studied, and revered periods in American history. This tumultuous and storied time gave birth to our great nation, and planted the seed of democracy to grow throughout the western world. It was also one of the most important periods in Masonic history, and right here in Illinois is a reminder of Freemasonry’s vital role in the American Revolution.

Illinois Freemasonry’s link to the American Revolution lies in the person of Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, the famous Marquis de Lafayette. Lafayette was so sympathetic to the American cause of liberty that he left France to offer his services to the Continental Army amid much hostility from his own countrymen.

The Marquis de Lafayette has yet a more direct connection to Freemasonry in Illinois, and particularly to our state’s first capital city. John Corson Smith describes an exchange between General Lafayette and Shadrach Bond, Illinois’s first Governor, as well as its first Most Worshipful Grand Master. According to Smith, the two men exchanged toasts in which Lafayette expressed his wish for both the city of Kaskaskia and the State of Illinois to continue down the road of prosperity and freedom. To this Mr. Bond responded with his hope that Lafayette could enjoy the same blessings in his own country.”

(Source: Illinois Freemasonry – Summer 2009)

Historic Ft. Buford

            Ft. Buford, located on the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers has always been a major historical location whose story has never been completely told. It was a military garrison that provided homeland security for the traders and homesteaders who traveled along the river routes to the western horizons.

            Lewis and Clark camped at the confluence of the two rivers. Ft. Buford was the supply depot for the 7th Cavalry and the point at which the steamer Far West brought back the sad news from the Little Big Horn. It was here where Sitting Bull and his decimated and starving band of followers surrendered, handing over his rifle rather than see his people suffer and die upon the open prairie.

            Ft. Buford was also the home of Yellowstone Lodge No. 88, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota on January 10, 1872. Yellowstone Lodge No. 88, was the first chartered lodge in that part of Dakota Territory which later became North Dakota. It had a membership of 50 Brothers who were members of the 7th Cavalry, local businessmen, farmers and others.

            These Brothers built an 80’ by 100’ two story Lodge Hall at the western edge of the Fort. The upper story was the Lodge room and the lower section was the social event center for the Fort and the surrounding community. This Lodge was active until 1874 when the Fort became dormant and the Charter was returned to the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. The Lodge building was sold and later dismantled.

            You can find the complete history of this period and Yellowstone Lodge No. 88, on the North Dakota Grand Lodge website. It will be listed under the Ft. Buford link, and included in Chapter 4 of Pond’s book History of Masonry in North Dakota.

(Source: Jim Savaloja, PGM and Associate Grand Historian, Grand Lodge of North Dakota)

Note: The above article is just beginning to tell the story of Ft. Buford. There is much more to come including a long forgotten Prince Hall Lodge. Also, watch for more information about a special Rededication Ceremony in May 2010.