What do your Lodges do for your 50 year members |
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Sec'yBob
Quarryman Joined: April/23/2015 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 468 |
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Posted: September/03/2016 at 2:12pm |
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What do you guys do, or what does your Grand lodge do for your senior members. Is it just a small pin and a certificate? Shouldn't we do more? |
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Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443 PM Meramec #313 X3 Past DDGM Dist #24 Lodge Education Officer Missouri Lodge of Research O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3 Legion of Honor recipient |
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log cabin Bill
Quarryman Joined: October/31/2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Status: Offline Points: 1057 |
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In my lodge, they receive the 50 year pin and certificate which is presented to them by the DDGM on behalf of the Grand Master. They are also exempt from paying dues. I think that most lodges in PA exempt them from dues.
A few years ago I had the privilege of putting the 50 year pin on my father. In just a few more years my father will be receiving his 60 year pin. Dad is 92 and very alert and still goes bowling every week.
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North Hills Lodge, #716,PM
Allegheny RAM,#217,PHP Allegheny Council,#38,PTIM Allegheny Commandery #35 Knight Masons,Gateway To The West Council #5 AASR,Valley of Pgh. Syria Shrine Islam Grotto |
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droche
Quarryman Joined: March/03/2008 Location: Worcester, Mass Status: Offline Points: 2243 |
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In Massachusetts its a pin and a certificate. Should we do more? I dont know... maybe. Any suggestions?
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edwmax
Administrator Joined: November/06/2007 Location: Georgia, USA Status: Offline Points: 7098 |
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50 year Certificate, pin, and apron furnished the Grand Lodge. Also, the 50 year Mason is granted Emeritus e Membership (exempt for dues) and is entitled to receive the Grand Hailing Honors when in Lodge.
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"He who would assume to govern others must first learn to govern himself."
Thomasville 369 |
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goomba
Quarryman Joined: February/08/2012 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 408 |
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I have seen Masons get a 50 year pin who are not nor have they ever been active. Years alone, in my mind, don't warrant special treatment. I love my father beyond belief but he averages one lodge meeting per decade. If he keeps this patter he'll have less than a dozen meetings in 50 years.
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MM, RAM, RSM, KT, KM, SRICF
Living in the DC area. |
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Sec'yBob
Quarryman Joined: April/23/2015 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 468 |
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Goomba Interesting point and well made. Years without service are nothing [or near nothing] What could we do for a brother who had 50 years and lots of service-that makes him far better than the guy that does not attend.
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Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443 PM Meramec #313 X3 Past DDGM Dist #24 Lodge Education Officer Missouri Lodge of Research O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3 Legion of Honor recipient |
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goomba
Quarryman Joined: February/08/2012 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 408 |
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I think men like that Bob not only don't want anything. But they will refuse to much fuss. I really like the idea of a nice apron. Maybe a ring as we tend to wear rings more than pins.
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MM, RAM, RSM, KT, KM, SRICF
Living in the DC area. |
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droche
Quarryman Joined: March/03/2008 Location: Worcester, Mass Status: Offline Points: 2243 |
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The question arises, what makes a good Mason? I have always been taught that family comes first, then one's work, then Masonry. So, a man becomes a Mason; joins every appendant and concordant body in sight; becomes master of this and master of that; grand high whatever of this and most illustrious noble of that; gets honorary degrees, crosses of honor and meritorius service medals; ends up getting divorced in the process and his kids won't join because of all the time he spends away from his family and they even resent Masonry. I realize what I have just described is extreme but I have seen these things happen.
On the other hand, a man joins with the most good intentions but puts his family and work first and comes to lodge when he can which might not be often. I submit that this type of man is a better Mason than the other described, yet, he will receive no recognition simply for being a good man. Why not recognize members for what they do when they do it? Why wait 50 years? When you think about it, 50 years is just another day. I support the 50 year pin and certificate, but there are so many intangibles as to what makes a good Mason, and in all too many cases the wrong people get the accolades. Edited by droche - September/04/2016 at 10:44am |
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goomba
Quarryman Joined: February/08/2012 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 408 |
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Absolutely brilliant! |
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MM, RAM, RSM, KT, KM, SRICF
Living in the DC area. |
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Sec'yBob
Quarryman Joined: April/23/2015 Location: Missouri Status: Offline Points: 468 |
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droche thanks for that insight. I do 50 year pin ceremonies, and I am doing one Tuesday night for a man I know nothing about. He is the recipient of the award but from another state, and I am doing a courtesy for them/him. It's hard to talk about a 50 year man when I know nothing about his past or his efforts. But the information you supplied is viable for all. My parents broke up as a result of my father "living" Masonry so I know of what you speak. Thanks
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Raised 2001
PM Crestwood-Anchor #443 PM Meramec #313 X3 Past DDGM Dist #24 Lodge Education Officer Missouri Lodge of Research O.E.S. Chapter 129 WP X3 Legion of Honor recipient |
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GrimoireA3
Banned Joined: May/05/2013 Location: Boston Status: Offline Points: 625 |
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Over 50 years? How about a free burial?? |
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Please Note: I am not a Mason. And also, I am not an anti-Mason!
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droche
Quarryman Joined: March/03/2008 Location: Worcester, Mass Status: Offline Points: 2243 |
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In Massachusetts, one of the things a prospective member is told is that Masonry provides no direct benefits to its members such as insurance etc., so I don't think free burials are in the cards.
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