The North Carolina Mason

REGISTER from page 2 November/December 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 3 Montfort honors go to 2 long-time Masonic workers Grand Master Dwight "Mack" Sigmon has awarded the Joseph Montfort medal to two brothers who have dedicated decades to the Craft as lecturers. At Annual Communication, the Grand Master awarded Masonry's highest honor to Worshipful Brother Hyler Wayne Cox of Atlantic #294. Brother Cox was honored for his dedicated service as a District Deputy Grand Lecturer for 24 years (and an additional year filling an unexpired term), longer than anyone else. He was first certified in 1986. A 34-year Mason, he still serves in that position, only now in his own district. "e fact he did this for many years while living on the mainland and serving the Outer Banks as an out-of-district DDGL," the Grand Master said. "Having to take the ferry to one lodge and if the meet- ings ran late would have to stay overnight. He never said no to their many requests. He is a very dedi- cated Mason." Brother Cox currently is DDGL of the 3rd District and PDDGL for the old 3rd and current 2nd districts, and is secretary of Atlantic #294. He was master on several occasions and was a member of the Board of Custodians from 2002 to 2004, serving as chairman 2003-2004. Sigmon presented the final Mont- fort of his year in November at the Greenville Masonic Temple at an informal gathering of 6th District members and families. WB Leroy Beaman Whitfield was recognized as one of only two Masons in North Carolina to have been a Certified Lecturer for more than 64 years. e other Mason is Past Grand Master Gene Jernigan's father, Eugene, who was first certi- fied the same day and location as Brother Leroy and also a Montfort recipient. Brother Leroy is a 67-year Mason. He has served as Master of Jerusalem #95 five times. "Brother Whitfield is truly a dedicated Mason in North Caro- lina," Sigmon said. Joseph Montfort was treasurer of the Province of North Carolina, colonel of Colonial troops, and ardent Freemason. He was born in England in 1724 and died in 1776 in North Carolina. He was a member of Royal White Hart Lodge at Halifax. His exuberance for the fraternity led to his commis- sion as Provincial Grand Master in 1771. His commission, which hangs in the Grand Lodge in Raleigh, was granted by Henry Somerset, the fifth Duke of Beaufort and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of England. During his short tenure as Provin- cial Grand Master, Montfort orga- nized the fraternity into an efficient and productive organization. He chartered at least 10 lodges, helped reorganize a half dozen more, and laid the foundation for the creation of our Grand Lodge in 1787. Each Grand Master may give three Montfort medals during his tenure. WB Hyler Wayne Cox receiving his Montfort at the Annual Communication GM Mack Sigmon pins the Montfort medal on WB Leroy Beaman Whitfield Michael Allen Register, 58, is a member of Pilot #493, Lux Libertas #772 and Sophia #767. He has twice served as a master, first at Saint John's #3 in 1995-1996 and at Pilot from 2016 to 2017. He has served as a committee member on the Board of General Purposes, Board of Custodians and the Risk Management Committee, and currently is a trustee at Lux Libertas. He retired as the Chief of the Trent Woods Police Department and after a serving as a field services representa- tive for the North Carolina Depart- ment of Justice for several years. He is now a law enforcement training coordinator and instructor at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Brother Mike became a Mason in 1986 after he noticed that his best friend had gotten involved with a group that took a lot of his time and attention. He asked his friend what was happening and he learned his friend had joined a Masonic lodge. It was only a matter of time before Brother Mike "asked the question." It was only then that he learned, when he mentioned to his mother that he was joining the Masons, that his father had been a Mason since 1958. "I know my grandfather was a Mason because he talked about it and he even took me and my grandmother to lodge sometimes for special nights," he said. He later learned that they were both members of the Eastern Star, and that his grandfather was a past master and past secretary of his lodge. "But my dad never once mentioned it." Even though his father kept his own counsel when it came to Free- masonry, he did not hold back when Brother Mike told him he was joining. "When I put my petition in, we talked about it. He said, 'is is going to be the best thing you have ever done in your life. I'm proud of you.'" Brother Mike has never looked back. His life has been shaped and guided by the principles of Masonry. "I would not be the person I am without it," he said. "If not for Masonry, I would not have met 95 percent of the people I've come to know and consider friends and brothers. One of the greatest gifts this has given me is the people I have met." Brother Mike is eager to take on this new work, and especially welcomes working with White- Stone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community. His father lived at WhiteStone for a year before he passed, rooming with the father of Brother Alvin Billings. e two roommates became dear friends in the process, as did their sons. "ere is not a thing I wouldn't do to assist at WhiteStone," he said. "It is truly a care center, not a rest home. e people who work and care for residents there are angels."

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