The North Carolina Mason

Mileposts May/June 2015 The North Carolina Mason Page 7 LEXINGTON — On April 2, Harold Bowen, cen- ter, received his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years Masonic membership. Lexington-Memorial 473 Master Harvey Fulbright, right, made the presentation. Senior Deacon Scott O'Neil is seen with them. —Tommy Jolly COOKVILLE — Cookville 502 held their awards ceremony April 7. They presented Diamond Jubilee awards for 60 years membership to Foy Huss, Robert Johnson, and Charlie Wyant. Darrell Sain, not pic- tured, got his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years as a Mason. Seen here, from left, are Huss, Cookville Master Ronald Navey, Johnson, Secretary Dan Beal, and Wyant. — Dan Beal NEW BERN — Gordon W. Crossman, center, of Semper Fi- delis 680 got quite the surprise at the Grand Master's District meeting here April 27. Grand Master Douglas Caudle presented Crossman the Diamond Jubilee for his 60 years membership. Seen here, from left, are Semper Fidelis Master Robert Morrell, Crossman, and Caudle. — Howard Kahn BOILING SPRINGS — George Hamrick, right, received his Diamond Jubilee on March 24. Friendship 388 Master Donnie Morgan is seen here presenting the 60 years membership award. — Donnie Morgan GASTONIA — On March 22, several members of Gastonia 369 vis- ited Robin Johnson Hospice House to see their Brother Bob Howe, cen- ter. Thirty-sixth District Deputy Grand Lecturer Benjie Creasman, right, joined them to present Howe his Diamond Jubilee celebrating his 60 years as a Mason. Howe served as master of Gastonia Lodge in 1961–62. — Joe B. Waller WILMINGTON — Orient 395 member Horace Lee "Whitey" Prevatte received his Diamond Jubilee on April 2. It honors his 60 years membership in the fraternity. —Orient Lodge KANNAPOLIS — Members of Allen-Graham 695 recently visited Ed Sellers, seated, at his home. They were there to give him his 60-year membership Diamond Jubilee award. Seen here, from left, are Master Mike Avery, Doug Osborne, Jeff Sellers (Ed's son), Bill Glick, Bill Harris, and James Bailey. — Doug Osborne KINSTON — St. John's 4 presented two Diamond Jubilee Awards April 13. Harold Dail and Henry Shook received the 60- year certificate and pin from Past District Deputy Grand Master Bennie Heath. Seen here, from left, are Heath, Dail, and Shook. Shook's wife Willia attended also. — Lynn Hill CARY — Green Level 277 had a special 65-year apron made for Billy Upchurch. Upchurch is seen here receiving the apron from Green Level Master Mack McCorkle Jr. at the lodge's April stated communication. — Mack McCorkle Jr. Jessie Leigh Roberts photos Why do I need a flu shot every year? By John Paschall It seems that the flu vaccine has received a lot of atten- tion in the past year for not being as effective as in years past. Here's why. Influenza, or the flu, is a virus whose genetic material is made of RNA (as compared to the DNA in human cells). e shell of the virus has two main proteins, hemagglu- tinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). ey project out like spikes, making it easier to attach to human cells and rep- licate. ese two proteins account for the nomenclature of prevalent strains each year, such as H1N1. e flu actually starts each year in Southeast Asia, and it can come from humans, birds, or swine. is mixing be- tween species allows for swapping of genetic material, and the proteins change from year to year. e H3N2 strain is particularly common this year. Because of manufacturing demands, the scientists who decide which strains should be in each year's flu vaccine have to make this decision months before any particular strain becomes predominant. Considering the fact that the flu infects millions of people each year, and replicates billions of times, it's a miracle that the flu vaccine is ever a good match! Because of the annual differences in those surface pro- teins, the flu can "sneak" past our immune system and not be recognized as an illness that we have had before, so we keep getting infected. e flu shot works by showing our body an inactive or "killed" form of the virus, which then teaches our immune system to recognize it once exposed, so be sure to get yours. Fooling Mother Nature can be a good thing. Dr. John Paschall is a member of Biltmore 446. From the Medical Committee Uwharrie Mountain Rumble

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