The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 13 BURLINGTON – Take some time this summer to remember and visit our veterans. Bula #409 brothers Joe McCluskey, Master Jody Tyree, WB Bill Hayes, WB Bill Menikheim, and WB Roger Stutts recently made the trip to the North Carolina State Veterans Home in Salisbury and spent the day with brother veterans. TravelinG the tar heel state SIGMON, from page 5 delegates and Masonic leaders worldwide gather every two years to conduct business. Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33° will retire after 16 years as the Sovereign Grand Commander for the Southern Jurisdiction. We thank Illustrious Brother Seale for his many years of dedicated service to the Scottish Rite and to Freemasonry. Each of these events and many more gave me the opportunity to cross paths with many members of our fraternity and their families. e best part of my journey has been, is now, and will forever be the people I meet along the way. Never take these opportunities lightly or for granted. Each occurrence is a special and unique opportunity. As Grand Master, it is humbling to serve the members of our craft. I always thought I fully understood the respect that the office of Grand Master receives and have been blessed and fortunate to know many Grand Masters. at understanding took a more meaningful perspective in mid-March when I attended a special 70-year membership cele- bration at a skilled nursing facility. It was well-attended by lodge and district members. What I thought would be a typical service award presentation in honor of this esteemed brother turned out to be the most humbling experience in my entire Masonic journey of 44 years. e brother receiving his recognition was unable to walk, so assistance was required. I leaned down to shake his hand and introduced myself as the Grand Master. At that moment, a huge tear ran down his face. I felt even more unworthy of holding an office that is held in such high esteem. e memory of this moment will remain vivid with me for the rest of my life. Understanding that many of our craft never meet a Grand Master, it reminded me that I was elected to serve our craft and should support as many functions as my schedule will allow. While I consider myself just one of the Craft, I truly under- stand how important it is to others to cross paths with a Grand Master. I am honored to serve as the 166th Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina and appreciate everyone I have crossed paths with during this journey. I hope you never underestimate the importance of crossing paths with others on your journey through life. I am especially glad our paths crossed. 13 lodges take platinum in Lion and Pillar irty-seven lodges have qualified as a 2019 Lion and Pillar Lodge of Excellence this year, including 13 that achieved Platinum status. All lodges that applied this year qualified for the honor – a first in the three years the Lion and Pillar award has been in place. e 13 lodges that qualified for platinum status took the program a step or two beyond. To be designated platinum, a lodge was required to meet all qualifications of the Lion and Pillar, plus complete one of two rituals. A lodge member or installed senior deacon must have given his first-ever Fellow Craft degree lecture or complete his first-ever Masonic graveside or memorial funeral service. Since the program was launched three year ago, 71 lodges have received the honor at least once. In 2017, 56 lodges qualified. In 2018, 34 lodges were honored, including seven lodges new to the list that year. is year, 12 lodges entered for the first time. Here are Lion and Pillar lodges for 2019. e number in () designateds years entered. Platinum lodges are specified. 2019 LION AND PILLAR RECIPIENTS 37 lodges ROAR! Eagle #19 (3 years) Thomas M. Holt #492 (3) Columbus #102 (3) Mingo #206 (3) Platinum Ashlar #765 (3) William G. Hill #218 (3) Platinum Wilmington #319 (3) Platinum Kenly #257 (3) Platinum Lux Libertas #772 (3) Pilot #493 (3) Platinum Oxford #122 (3) Albemarle #703 (3) Platinum Steele Creek #737 (3) Platinum Bald Creek #397 (3) Berne #724 (3) James K. Polk #759 (3) Platinum Semper Fidelis #680 (3) St. Johns #4 (3) Cannon Memorial #626 (3) Platinum Pleasant Hill #304 (3) Bula #409 (2) Platinum Stump Sound #733 (2) Copeland #390 (2) Acacia #674 (2) Mount Holly #544 (2) Forsyth #707 (1) Platinum Charles M. Setzer 693 (1) Platinum Greensboro #76 (1) Platinum Statesville #27 (1) Royal White Hart #2 (1) Corinthian #230 (1) Meadow Branch #578 (1) Riverside #606 (1) Granite #191 (1) Waccamaw #596 (1) Federal Point #753 (1) Walnut Cove #629 (1)

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