The North Carolina Mason

Page 4 Safrit was to administer the oath of office to each of the men who will serve in 2012. Charlotte's Knights of St. Andrews served as ushers. Officers were led into the auditorium by piper David M. Ludlow and drummer William A. Clark. Safrit was assisted by Installing Chaplain David R. Cash (PGM), and Installing Marshal James L. Blalock. Joseph G. Faulkner welcomed more than 250 guests to the ceremony. The col- or guard of the Heroes of '76, Camp Lejeune Chapter 329 of the National Sojourners pre- sented the colors. Gresham's daughter, Claudia, sang at the opening and again at the closing of the ceremony. Charlotte Freeman Maness ac- companied her on piano. As Gresham knelt at the altar, Installing Chaplain Cash offered a prayer for the begin- ning of his endeavor. The ceremony was very similar to the one you have likely seen in your own lodge. All the officers took an oath to serve his office and the Grand Lodge well. Each was then charged and presented the apron and jewel of his office. Past Grand Master Bunn T. Phillips present- ed the grand master's apron. Gresham's grand- children presented him the hat he will wear as grand master. The Grand Lodge officers installed were Grand Master Robert E. Gresham Jr. (Albe- marle 703), Deputy Grand Master Dewey R. Preslar Jr. (Andrew Jackson 576), Senior Grand Warden Dalton W. Mayo (Hiram 98), Junior Grand Warden Douglas L. Caudle (States- ville 27), Grand Treasurer Lewis R. Ledford (PGM) (Statesville 27), Grand Secretary T. The North Carolina Mason INSTALL, from page 1 Walton Clapp III (Mystic Tie 237), Senior Grand Deacon Bryant D. Webster (Nichols- West Asheville 650), Junior Grand Deacon A. Gene Cobb Jr. (Royal White Hart 2), Grand Marshal Jimmie B. Hicks Jr. (St. John's 3), Grand Steward C. Speed Hallman (Eagle 19), Grand Steward Dwight McLauchlin "Mack" Sigmon (Catawba 248), Grand Tyler Scott B. Gresham (Albemarle 703), and Grand Chap- lain Joseph L. Hester Jr. (Neill S. Stewart 556). Other appointive officers who are not installed were Grand Historian Michael W. Brantley (Raleigh 500), Grand Lecturer J. Luigi Am- mons (Millbrook 97), Grand Orator Governor James G. Martin (Phalanx 31), and Judge Ad- vocate James R. Stevens (Garner 701). Pro tempore officers were: Ernie M. Mc- Swain (703) as grand master; W. Roscoe War- ren (727), deputy grand master; David P. Blalock (637), senior grand warden; George M. Holly (150), junior grand warden; James F. Faulken- berry (348), grand treasurer; Benjamin G. Wal- lace (127), grand secretary; William C. Capel Jr. (64), senior grand deacon; George R. Katchue (244), junior grand deacon; Michael L. Bowen (276), grand marshal; David M. Smuda II (562), grand steward; Michael A. Brooks (578), grand steward; Seth T. Burris (749), grand tyler; and Jason D. Murray (703), grand chaplain. On the day before the installation, the Board of General Purposes met for the last time with Grand Master Lewis Ledford. A dinner honor- ing the incoming grand master was held on Fri- day night. A reception followed the installation. Johnny Surles directed the ceremony. January/February 2012 Rose earns 60-year award BENSON — On November 8, Relief 431 presented James W. Rose his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years Masonic membership. They had a dinner before the meeting and invited family mem- bers. Jimmy is seen here having his award pinned on his lapel by his wife Miriam. His daughter Anne was also in attendance. 155 adds lift chair ZEBULON — White Stone 155 re- cently purchased and installed a chair lift to improve access to their upstairs lodge Clemmons golf aids Homes CLEMMONS — Clemmons 755 held their golf tournament August 31 at Oak Valley Golf Course. Larry Holloman and Bruce Ayres recently visited the Masonic Homes to deliver the pro- ceeds to help the missions at the Homes. At top they are seen presenting a check to Mark Kolada, administrator for White- Stone. Above, they deliver a check to Masonic Home for Children Administrator Chris Richardson. — Bruce Ayres room. Senior Warden David Alford, Junior Warden Wes Young, and Past Master Bill Chancellor did the installation in time for the lodge's Octo- ber awards night. — Robert Rideout Liberty honors Triplett WILKESBORO — Liberty 45 Treasurer Jerry Triplett, right, recently received the Master's Award from his lodge. Ricky Brewer, the Liberty Lodge master who very recently died, created the award "to recognize long-time and/or key contributors to the lodge." Triplett has been a member of Liberty Lodge since 1972. He is a two-time Master (1976 and 1993) and was district deputy grand master in 1986. He was a key leader in their building renovation project and has been treasurer since 2002. Acting Master Scott Curry presented the award. — Steve Brown ENGLAND — Remember in the not too distant past it was a big taboo for police and judges in England to belong to the Masonic fraternity. Among the many reasons given was the supposed theory that "Freemasons belonged to a secret society and covertly rule the world." Common sense seems to have prevailed. Judges are no longer required to declare their mem- bership in the fraternity. —Fraternal Review of the Southern California Research Lodge Ric Car ter photos

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