The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2018 Attend a District Meeting on one of the following dates: Editor's Note: Sometimes there are changes in location announced after publication; watch www.glnc.us and the NC Mason and Grand Lodge pages on Facebook for updates. Date District Host Lodge Lodge Address Feb 27 11 Coharie 379 976 Autryville Rd, Salemburg 28 12 Shallotte 727 5072 Main St., Shallotte Mar 1 14 Millbrook 97 2400 New Hope Rd., Raleigh 5 24 Balfour 188 632 Sunset Ave., Asheboro 6 22 Dan River 129 110 Decatur St., Madison 7 20 Columbus 102 121 East St., Pittsboro 20 18 Maxton 417 123 S Florence St., Maxton 21 10 Harmony 340 108 S Railroad St., Pikeville 26 32 Phalanx 31 500 N Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte 27 23 Revolution 552 802 16th St., Greensboro Date District Host Lodge Lodge Address Apr 2 33 Snow 363 240 Temple Dr., Boone 3 37 Cranberry 598 193 Main St., Elk Park 4 30 Harmony 299 143 E. Memorial Hwy, Harmony 10 2 Cape Hatteras 698 48338 Hwy 12, Buxton 11 1 Unanimity 7 215 E. Water St., Edenton 12 8 Enfield 447 137 SE Railroad St., Enfield 23 28 Stokes 32 51 Brumley Ave., Concord 24 29 Beaver Dam 276 605 E. Main St., Marshville 25 36 Gastonia 369 214 South St., Gastonia 30 39 Veritas 769 80 Broadway, Asheville May 1 40 Oconee 427 62 Clifton Ave., Bryson City 2 38 Kedron 387 229 Fifth Ave. W., Hendersonville 3 34 Hickory 343 30 Catawba Valley Blvd. SE, Hickory 15 19 Eagle 19 142 W. King St., Hillsborough North Carolina Masons on Dec. 16 joined organizations across the country in remembering fallen heroes, placing wreaths on the graves of those who served. "Wreaths Across America" began in 1992 when the owner of a wreath company in Maine arranged to place surplus wreaths on graves of soldiers in Arlington Cemetery. Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine, knew just what to do in 1992 when his company found itself with a surplus of wreaths at the end of the holiday season. He had never forgotten a trip he made to Washington when he was 12 and first saw Arlington. With help from Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, arrangements were made for the surplus wreaths to be placed in one of the older sections of Arlington, where few visitors ever went. "We encourage every volunteer who places a wreath on a veteran's grave to say that veteran's name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country," says Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America. "We are not here to decorate graves. We're here to remember not their deaths, but their lives." is ceremony takes place at all national cemeteries at the same time, on the same day, Dec. 16. is year, there were 1,422 participating loca- tions throughout the U.S., and more than 1.5 million wreaths were placed. Among the North Carolina lodges that participated, William G. Hill #218 reported that in the event it coordinated, some 300 volunteers laid more than 5,600 wreaths at Raleigh National Cemetery in just over an hour's time, announcing the name of each recipient aloud as they went. e ceremony started at noon with a moment of silence. Lt. Col. Carol Redfield was master of ceremonies and Rear Admiral Benny Suggs was the speaker. Wreaths were laid for veterans of the Revolutionary and Civil wars, Freemasons and each of the U,.S, services in the order in which they were created. William G. Hill Master Dan Hopping laid the wreath for all soldiers of the Revolutionary War. District 14 Deputy Grand Master Craig Horton laid the wreath for all Masons who have served and now serve this great nation ree members of the lodge who belong to the Sons of the American Revolution State Color Guard fired a volley as as Taps was played. Day is done, gone the sun, From the lake, from the hills, from the sky; All is well, safely rest, God is nigh. NC lodges join 'Wreaths Across America' remembrance Brothers of William G. Hill #218 remember the fallen by plac- ing wreaths at soldiers' graves (above), then firing a final volley in their honor (left)

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