The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2016 The North Carolina Mason Page 15 From the Medical Committee Heat-related illness The Grand Historian's Courier Case Arlington at rest By Steven Campbell Just 240 years ago, a new nation was forged in the heat of battle, as well as in the hearts and minds of those who came before us. e United States of Amer- ica is a young nation in the annals of history, yet it is a nation of a proud, just, and honorable people. Many who led the way were members of our Fraternity. It is well that we do not forget those who possessed the fortitude to "press onward." Perched on the heights along the Potomac River, adjacent to the seat of the American Republic, sits Ar- lington National Cemetery. ose who lie at rest upon these grounds are ever vigilant over the nation's capital. is is hallowed ground, which contains the mortal remains of those who answered the "call to duty" when summoned by our country. ousands of Freemasons who valiantly served the nation lie at rest in Arlington. Some of our well-known Brothers are: General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, Major Audie Murphy, Gen- eral Omar Bradley, General Leonard Wood, General James Doolittle, and General George C. Marshall, ex- plorers Robert Peary and Richard Byrd, and President William Taft. From whence it came During the War of American Independence (1775– 1783), Brother George Washington's (Fredericksburg 4) stepson, John Parke Custis, purchased Abington Estate just north of Mt. Vernon. Sadly, whilst serv- ing on his step-father's staff at Yorktown (1781), he contracted "camp fever" and perished. His young widow was confronted with debt and the raising of their children, George Washington Parke Custis and Eleanor. It was agreed that the children would live between Abington and Mt. Vernon. rough inheri- tance, George Washington Parke Custis would own Abington and a nearby 1,100 acre tract of land across the Potomac River, upon which he would build Ar- lington. (Over time, the estate of Abington would pass from owner to owner, and in the 20 th century it would be transformed into today's Reagan National Airport.) For sixteen years, G. W. P. Custis and his wife Mary oversaw the construction of a Greek inspired home. Seeking to perpetuate the memory of Bro. George Washington, Custis originally named his home Mt. Washington. However, upon further reflection he ti- tled the estate Arlington, in honor of his ancestors' 17 th century property along Virginia's eastern shore. In 1831 their lovely daughter, Mary Anne Ran- dolph Custis would wed young Lt. Robert E. Lee in the Arlington House parlor. For thirty years, the Lees considered Arlington their home. Sadly, in 1861, when the nation would be split asunder by war (1861–65), the Lees were forced to flee Arlington. As the slaugh- ter of this horrid war continued, the US government obtained the abandoned estate through auction in 1864 for $26,800. As all wars, the War of Secession or the Great Re- bellion ended in 1865, yet graves continued to be filled upon the grounds at Arlington. Robert E. Lee never set foot on the Arlington estate again. Ever mind- ful of her childhood home, Mary Lee harbored hope that one day she could reclaim Arlington. In 1873, the now widowed and crippled Mary would visit the grounds of Arlington, and within five months, perish, never to re-obtain her home. Being overseen by the US Army, the house deteriorated yet was stable. e uniform marble grave markers, known still today, first appeared in 1874. In early 1883, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U. S. government had illegally obtained Arlington and that ownership was to be returned to the Lee family. Now the final resting place to thou- sands of men and women, the Lees accepted the pay- ment of the fair market price of $150,000. e deed to Arlington was presented by US Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln. e never-ending legacy Other national cemeteries existed in the United States, however, in 1892, it was determined that vet- erans from all American wars would be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. Selected remains from the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and oth- er conflicts were re-interred at Arlington. e solemn tradition of honoring unknown soldiers began in the Civil War and continues to this day. e United States ird Infantry Regiment (e Old Guard), stationed at Fort Myer, stands to post at the Tomb of the Unknowns ("Known but to God") 24 hours a day. Tradition and uniformity play a strong role in the functions of Arlington National Cemetery. Mod- ernizations in management practices have advanced, however the respect afforded those who are buried here and the ones they have left behind has not di- minished. In 2014 the Arlington National Cemetery's 680+ acres was befittingly designated a National Historic District. If you're ever near Arlington, stop awhile, seek out our Brothers' graves, and honor those who came before us. A challenge Here in the Old North State are: (1) Salisbury Na- tional Cemetery, (2) Raleigh National Cemetery, (3) Wilmington National Cemetery, and (4) New Bern National Cemetery. Please, go visit and record Brother Freemasons you find at these hallowed sites. Submit your findings in a "field report" to your grand historian at . I look forward to hearing from you. Grand Historian Steven Campbell is a member of Blackmer 127. By Michael Johnston As the mercury in the thermostat rises this summer, there will be many Masons at risk of suffering a heat-related illness. ese can in- clude heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Any of these conditions may strike when the body cannot adequately cool itself. High humidity, physical activity, and hot tem- peratures, in any combination can increase one's vulnerability. e elderly, and those with chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney related problems, and cancer are at much greater risks. Heat exhaustion typically occurs as a result of excessive sweating, usually during exercise or manual labor. e body loses large amounts of water and salt, interfering with circulation and brain function. Sometimes, one may ini- tially experience cramping of the muscles because of the loss of important electrolytes. Signs you may be experiencing heat exhaus- tion include: dizziness, fatigue, nausea, con- fusion, fainting, and dark colored urine from dehydration. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Heat stroke is the most serious heat-re- lated illness and is often fatal. It will display many of the symptoms listed previously, but is also marked by high fever (above 104º F), caused by failure of the body's temperature regulation mechanism. If you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above — dizziness, fatigue, nausea, confusion, fainting, and dark colored urine from dehydration — in a high tempera- ture environment, it is urgent to stop what you are doing, and take preventive measures to avoid serious consequence! Re-hydrate, get to a cooler location, place a cool wet towel on the wrist, groin, and forehead. Seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve. Michael Johnston is a member of Asheboro 669. CLINTON — Hiram 98 termed their March 24 Spring Pancake Dinner "a great success." — Sherrill Allen

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