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Annual Communication 2010

The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington convened in the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington, on Thursday, June 10, 2010, and adjourned on Saturday, June 12, 2010 

OFFICERS ELECTED 

The Credentials Committee announced that the following Grand Lodge Officers were elected to serve for the year 2009-2010: 

RW JERALD K. LINGLE, JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN

Brethren my name is RWB Jerald K. (Jerry) Lingle and I was born in Herrin,  Illinois, on March 25, 1954, to Bernard and Alberta Lingle.  My father, Bernard was a coal miner and was raised to the sublime Degree of a Master Mason in 1951 in the Grand Jurisdiction of Ancient and Free and Accepted Masons of Illinois. 

     My childhood began in Southern Illinois, just above the Kentucky border in the little town of Carterville.  I was the eighth son of Bernard and Alberta.  The Lingles were very poor, but very dedicated to the family unit, staying extremely close over the years.   After my oldest brother volunteered to join the Army, the family unit suffered its first separation anxiety and in 1966, after my mother remained heart-broken without her oldest, the entire family packed up and moved to Washington to reunite the family unit. 

    I attended North Thurston High School in Lacey, Washington, and then went on to attend Washington State University and St. Martins College.  During my school years, I worked in construction to help support my family. 

   I have three daughters, Sarah, Melissa and Alicia and two sons, Joe and Frank.  My youngest, Frank, was born in 1993 and is currently attending high school at my alma mater, North Thurston.  (Many of you know Frank as the “Chairman of the Chairs” from his countless times assisting removing chairs at multiple installations.)   

   While continuing to work and provide for my family, in my spare time in 1979, I  joined a local martial arts dojo (school) and eventually obtained a black belt in a Korean style of karate, Song Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do Karate, an old style Rock Marine fighting style.  I eventually went on and fought in several tournaments, up and down the West coast. 

     In 1978, I finally asked the “question” of my father, Bernard and received a petition for the degrees of Masonry.  Dad’s only comment was “I was wondering when you were going to finally ask.”  I took my Degrees, starting at Delta White Center, No. 172, and eventually affiliating with Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 11 in Shelton. 

    My Masonic career was somewhat delayed due to “old school” Masonry, where you sat on the sidelines until you were needed or called.  Also, finally selecting a career in law enforcement prevented earlier Masonic advancement due to odd hours, special investigations and raising a family. 

    Eventually, I was called upon and picked up my Masonic career when I became a two-time Past Master of Union City Lodge, No. 27 and was appointed as the first District Deputy of the Grand Master in the newly-formed District 3 in 2006 and 2007.  After serving both years, I received additional appointments as a member of the Long Range Planning Committee, Grand Junior Deacon and then Grand Marshal. 

    After retiring with nearly twenty five years of law enforcement duty in the Shelton area, I thought that I would settle in and just simply attend Lodge.   My  retirement lasted exactly eighteen hours before I  accepted a position at a local Casino and was instrumental in the training of a sixty-man security force, while  maintaining a security business specializing in personal safety to high profile celebrities such as Brother B.B. King, Jay Leno, Charlie Daniels, and Ron White, to name a few. 

     After accomplishing my work at the Casino, I began working for a private company, monitoring offenders on Electronic Home Monitoring, still maintaining the private security business and also beginning to dabble in local politics.  

    I consider Masonry an energizing force in my life.  When I am down, when I am exhausted, when I am doubtful, I go to Lodge….and wham!  I am rejuvenated.   The brotherly love that is so constant in Lodges, keeps me motivated.   IT’S ALWAYS A GOOD DAY TO BE A MASON!

     I was very honored and humbled to be elected by you as Junior Grand Warden at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound this June.  I see the future of Masonry as bright and plan on assisting our Grand Master, G. Santy Lascano and the Brethren in making this Fraternity grow into the 21^st Century by being involved. 

    My platform has always been “Spread the Cement” and I hope that I will continue with this as the years progress.  The highest of titles, accolades and honors that can be given is being a Master Mason.  Remember Brethren, no matter what trails we follow, no matter the accomplishments, no matter the trials, we are Masons and we shall forever be.

   Travel well and may peace be with you.

AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 

The Bill Paul Horn Memorial Award was presented to John R. Paternoster, the current Supreme Magus of Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia (England and Wales).  His is also Grand Master of the Grand Council of the Red Branch of Eri, and a Provincial Grand Sovereign Master for the Allied Masonic Degrees in England and Wales. 

Secretary of the Year Tommie B. Tindell, Secretary of Paul Revere Lodge, No. 205, since 1995, for his many years of service to his Lodge and Grand Lodge.

The Outstanding Military Persons of the Year:
    MA1 Gordon Sheek, the Kennel Master, K-9 Unit, Naval Base Kitsap, Bremerton, Washington
    LCPL Ryan Vancleave, Command 4th LSB, US Marine Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington
    TSgt Michael Worth, 141st Air Refueling Wing, Force Support Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington

The 2010 Mason of the Year Award was presented to VWCoe Tug Morgan for his unwavering support of Masonry. VWCoe is always available at a moment’s notice to help a Brother, his Lodge, or the Grand Lodge in any endeavor, no matter how large or small. The Grand Lodge office staff has come to rely on him often due to his always enthusiastic “can-do” attitude. 

The Dottie Tashiro Inspirational Woman of the Year Award was presented to Alicia Buterbaugh by Diane Uzee-Larson for her many years of leadership and hard work she has dedicated to Grand Lodge and the Ladies’ programs.

Traveling Man of the Year was awarded to W Charles Tupper for the many miles and hours he dedicated to traveling around this Jurisdiction. His positive attitude and warm welcome smile was shared by many.

Outstanding Websites. The Technology Committee evaluated websites belonging to Lodges within our Jurisdiction, and the following were judged to be excellent websites:  

1^st Place          Esoterika Lodge, No. 316
2^nd Place (tie) William H. Upton Naval and Military Lodge, No. 206
                            Steilacoom Lodge, No. 2

Twain Award. A national award presented to Lodges who represent our Fraternity’s grass-roots efforts to generate enthusiasm and build relevance for Freemasonry.

Lynden Lodge, No. 56
Bremerton Lodge, No. 117
Daylight Lodge, No. 232 

FRATERNAL RECOGNITION 

Acting on the report of the Fraternal Correspondent, the Grand Lodge voted to grant recognition to: 

                   -United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria.
                   -Grand Lodge of Moldova 

There still exists some issues with the Grand Lodge of Baja, and recognition is not offered at this time.

A Grand Lodge of Bolivia called the Grand Lodge of York Rite is seeking recognition, but with no evidence having been constituted by a regular Grand Lodge recognition is denied.

The Grande Oriente Paulista of Sao Paulo, Brazil, created from dissident Lodges of the Grand Orient of Brazil, does not meet the standards of recognition.

Bulgaria still has two Grand Lodges claiming legitimacy. On an international level a committee was formed to help resolve the differences. At this time no agreement has been made.

Cyprus and Greece are in some form of agreement as to the formation of a Grand Lodge of Cyprus. England, however, has many Lodges in Cyprus and will need to offer their opinion before such recognition can be afforded.

GRAND LODGE PER CAPITA

 With the adoption of the proposed General Fund Budget, the per capita for 2010 will be $14.75 for the General Fund (of this, $1.00 for George Washington National Memorial; $1.00 for Public Relations; $1.00 for Masonic Tribune), $.25 for the Charity Fund.

SITE OF THE 154th ANNUAL COMMUNICATION

 The 154th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington will convene at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, June 9, 10, 11, 2011.