Is any Brother familiar with this base in Iraq.

HHC 610 BSB 4/1 IBCT
UNIT # 42531
FOB FALCON

A Brother from our Cavalry Troop has just been deployed there. And wondering if there are any brothers that can help him get settled in.

Morning brother! I was stationed there back in 03-04 so my info may be a little outdated. Any info you need shoot me a PM.

Mace

IN RESPONSE TO YOUR PUBLIC OUT CRY (NO)

quote:

Originally posted by Celticpiper:
Is any Brother familiar with this base in Iraq.

HHC 610 BSB 4/1 IBCT
UNIT # 42531
FOB FALCON

A Brother from our Cavalry Troop has just been deployed there. And wondering if there are any brothers that can help him get settled in.

Greetings: There is a brother who was in Iraq, now in Afganistan, Charles Martin, who might be able to help out. He visits this site often. I will send him a note. The former lodge in Iraq chartered by the GLNY was not renewed for reasons unknown. Here is a link to the unit and maybe there is some POC's there to help, aid and assist in the transition.

http://www.riley.army.mil/Units/4IBCT1ID/

Hope that helps.
Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Hot Topics Moderator

quote:

Originally posted by TerryTCT:

quote:

Originally posted by Celticpiper:
Is any Brother familiar with this base in Iraq.

HHC 610 BSB 4/1 IBCT
UNIT # 42531
FOB FALCON

A Brother from our Cavalry Troop has just been deployed there. And wondering if there are any brothers that can help him get settled in.

Greetings: There is a brother who was in Iraq, now in Afganistan, Charles Martin, who might be able to help out. He visits this site often. I will send him a note. The former lodge in Iraq chartered by the GLNY was not renewed for reasons unknown. Here is a link to the unit and maybe there is some POC's there to help, aid and assist in the transition.

http://www.riley.army.mil/Units/4IBCT1ID/

Hope that helps.
Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Hot Topics Moderator

Bro. Terry,
Brother Charlie was my first contact. He wasn't familiar with this FOB.

Hi I have just this minute found this forum
I have an epic that I wrote the day of my rasing in yanuary of 2000 I was susposed to the the First master mason raisedin Texas of the new milium butmy work in my business kept me out of town for a week
any way I just wanted to share with some of you

January 2000

A MASON I AM
This narrative is of an epic that I wrote at my Raising.
To be sure I have not equaled the eloquence of the original script, even though they were of a personal life experience. And have been written from the heart, one’s propensity of exact and total recall must be practiced err it be forever changed.
Alas for I fear the pages of writ are forever lost apart from those in attendance of my raising they were not of technology as available to my self today. However should there be one among you in possession of a copy of my epic would apprise me of them and thus forward same to myself I shall be much obliged to re edit this poor rendition to its original form.
Thank you for your indulgence
Now for my remembered tale Plus the additional passing of time pages I sincerely pray you should benefit and enjoy.




A MASON I AM


Once as a boy a chanced upon a ring of the most beautiful designs.
I asked my Grand father what it was! He explained to me this ring had belonged to his brother; it is a Masons ring said he.
I asked him what of the symbols used in the rings decoration!
This is when he sat me down and explained his brother had died several years before and it was of his wish that he should have the ring, as to the symbols he knew of them not for a MASON he was not.
The years passed by, I joined and served in the Military for several tears thinking not of that long forgotten ring with its intricate carvings.
After leaving the Military with wife and children we settled into a busy life. Then one day I happened to meet another man we became friends we would sit and talk many time when ever the time allotted.
After a couple of years I noticed that he wore such a ring As had belonged to my grand father so very similar they could have been one in the same as far as I could tell. Now I must tell you this took me aback it did for I had never thought I should see such a ring again.
I asked this man of the symbols on the ring, For a MASON I knew he was. He gruffly told me that he would not tell me the meaning of the symbols for a MASON I WAS NOT. My association with him continued several years through no fault of his own I took to mind that MASONS must be of a sort I wanted not to be part of as many of his actions lent in my thinking towards the wild side of life always partying and when ever he and other of his friends should be together and I would happen by they quickly would change whatever they had been conversing about so I would not hear the context of their conversation. This is when I made up my mind A MASON I WOULD NOT BE.
The years passed by my travels crossed paths with yet another man, who also was a MASON. We became associated in business together I while working with him traveled many places in my work.
He also was a MASON evidenced by the ring; however it was a very nondescript ring, having only a single set of symbols in its crown.
His business practices were not as I thought should be, as his actions reminded me of the other men I had seen wearing such a ring.
S I decided then and there never to ask of the symbols on their rings A MASON I WOULD NOT BE.
As the years passed by ever more I grew weary of working with the others causing me to again strike out in my own business. I met another man with a ring of many symbols on his hand, he too was a business man whoever his practices seamed to be so much different from all of the others I had known, we became closer and closer as associates then friends, until finally we merged our businesses together. One day I could stand it no longer. I asked him of his ring and its symbols for I knew he was involved in the activities of his lodge for he had often talked of things the lodge was planning for the community.
He did then explain to me that the symbols on his ring stood for many things and as I was not a mason I could not know of many of their meanings only of a few.
So I asked; how should I BECOME A MASON?
He told me I had just asked the magic question and presented me with a petition to join the lodge.
This I filled out best I could, and gathered my other required parchments. Then he submitted it to the lodge. After a while some men came and did ask of me many questions to these I answered. Another amount of time passed then one day I was asked to visit the lodge for my initiation ceremonies into the lodge. I MASON I WOULD BE
During this many questions were asked of the answers I knew not for thankfully there was a fellow to be at my aid.
I then knelt at place before me was The Wholly Bible upon this I was asked to take an Oath of Obligation for it was not to be an obligation to man but rather one from my heart to the supreme being of my personal belief.
After this I was greeted as a brother MASON for now and for ever.
FOR A MASON I AM.

Now that I am an entered apprentice my journey has only barely begun. There will be many things I shall be required to learn. All of which are for my betterment as a man.
As I study my work my knowledge increases on a daily Basis.
I approach each and every one with zeal and learn as best as I might.
After a while I am asked to tell of my teachings before the assembly of the lodge. This I do with great PRIDE for A MASON I AM.

After my narrative I am told to prepare for my passing. This they told me for A MASON YOU ARE but master of the craft there is yet more to be.

These ceremonies while being similar to the reseeding were slightly different in nature. Again I am asked many questions and again I knelt before the Alter as I had come to know it is called. Again I took upon my self an obligation to the Supreme Being of the universe, While my hand was touching the holly book, this being the holly Bible for my beliefs.
After this I was again greeted into the lodge as a Fellow of the Craft of Masonry.
Yet again I did study this time becoming easier for me than the previous.
FOR A MASON I AM and wiser I a am becoming.
After a while I was asked to stand another examination this I did with all the fervent zeal as before. Then I was told to prepare for my raising to the sublime degree of a Master MASAON.

Here I am at my Raising I have knelt before our holly Alter and have placed my hands upon the holly book of scriptures not once not twice but thrice at each times I have taken upon my self a most sacred obligation to my God, before the assembly of the brethren of this lodge Dully constituted and legally chartered. I now know of the symbols of the ring of my great Uncle’s that my grand father held so dearly though he never knew of the true nature of those symbols.
At this time I know not where my path shall lead me whether it shall be on to becoming an officer of the lodge or into one of the many Masonic organizations such as the York or Scottish Rites or into the Shrine, or one or more of the others. But be assured that I shall do as I am called to.
My studies are not completer nor I feel will I ever obtain all there is to know for such is not for me to have knowledge of at this time. So if you please and should you discover you have the time one night soon I shall stand my examination as a MASTWER MASON.
I thank all of you for your assistance and the taking of your time I can only repay your efforts by working hard to become the Best MASTER MASON my abilities will permit.
FOR A MASTER MASON I SHALL FOREVER BE

Frank Surber a newly raised Master Mason.


Ps As a reminder this is a rewritten version of the original.
I would dearly love to find a copy of what I wrote the first time to accurately place in my archives
.

Feb 2001

Excerpt to AMASON I AM



Two weeks after being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason I stood my third and final examination in my esoteric work of becoming a Master Mason.
This I did by examining my self in an assembled Master Masons lodge, before all of whom were in attendance. Had I known that I was allowed to do this in the previous degrees I would have done so as well. Less than a month after having been raised I conferred my first degree upon a new brother. I did this in part to start my repayment for the diligent effort put forth by the brethren who had helped me; I sat as master form opening to closing with the exception of the charge and lecture.
In this first year of my being a MASTER MASON I conferred many degrees form the EA /FC to MM and participated in each of the positions there of.
By the way I hope all have enjoyed the meals we have had this year

As the past few years have gone by I have tried to fulfill my obligations.
I have gone from a newly raised Master Mason through the line up as an Officer of my Lodge although be it a shortened version. I rose to the task that was set upon my plate with vigor and zeal. I tried never to shy away from what was expected of me.
For A MASON I AM
After being raised to Master Mason I couldn’t wait until I had learned enough to confer all three of the Degrees of Masonry on newly initiated past and Raised Masons. I wanted to do this to some how make up for the many years that I had unknowingly cheated myself out of many wonders Masonry has to offer. I learned my lessons to the best of my ability and past them on to others who would later use them to pass to yet another.
I did this because of my sincere belief that we all have within our minds a compelling need to help and teach others of our craft. This is because
A MASON I AM
As we kneel before the Alter and place our hands upon the Holy book before us no matter our religions the holy book will be the one of our own faith to be sure. No matter if our origin is from the East, South, West, North (Or Even Space when the time comes) for in all of these Holy teachings there is one constant. That is the belief in a Supreme Being. We obligate our selves to be better than we were before.
FOF MASONS WE ARE
I am now through no special qualifications of my own, and especially no selfish or unmeritorious ambitions A PAST MASTER.
This happened in perhaps a shorter time than some would think prudent. One can not choose to become an Officer if he is not asked first. And he has no chance of becoming a senior Officer unless he is nominated and Elected Even after becoming a Senior Officer he might not necessarily be elected to become The Master of his lodge. Should he be elected by his fellow brethren to be the Master of the lodge he must always remember he is in that position because his lodge felt that he earned it, and not because he deserved it.
For a MASON HE IS


As I sit and reminisce, I still remember asking my Grandfather about that ring and its symbols of which he knew of them not. I can’t help but feel that I detected a note of sadness in his voice when he told me he could not explain of the symbols.
For A MASON He WAS NOT


I want to tell every one who reads this if indeed anyone ever will.
That they owe many things to themselves, and that the most important thing is TO BECOME THE BEST MASON YOU CAN BE. Then tell your grandfathers, or fathers, or brothers, or sons, or grandsons and friends this one very important thing.

(A MASON YOU CAN BE.)



Written by
Frank Surber
Past Master Eugene Greene DFW 1441

Thank you I hope that all of you enjoyed it

I appologise for the length of my previous post
I have been livinghere in Kuwait for several years nowand have met a few brothers as well. I have gone up ot Iraq a few times but have not had the pleasure of sitting in lodge with any of them yet.
There is a group of Kuwaiti masons who are members of a lodge in Egypt that are attempting to get a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Scottland to start up a regular lodge here in Kuwait. For me this would be great as theGrand lodge of Scottland has friendly relations with the Most Worshipal Grand Lodge of Texas.andsince I am the only PM they know they have asked me for help when and if a warrant or Charter is granted.
Thanks Frank Surber PM

quote:

Originally posted by FSnQ8:

Two weeks after being raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason I stood my third and final examination in my esoteric work of becoming a Master Mason.

This I did by examining my self in an assembled Master Masons lodge, before all of whom were in attendance. Had I known that I was allowed to do this in the previous degrees I would have done so as well. Less than a month after having been raised I conferred my first degree upon a new brother. I did this in part to start my repayment for the diligent effort put forth by the brethren who had helped me; I sat as master form opening to closing with the exception of the charge and lecture.

In this first year of my being a MASTER MASON I conferred many degrees form the EA /FC to MM and participated in each of the positions there of.

By the way I hope all have enjoyed the meals we have had this year

As the past few years have gone by I have tried to fulfill my obligations.

I have gone from a newly raised Master Mason through the line up as an Officer of my Lodge although be it a shortened version. I rose to the task that was set upon my plate with vigor and zeal. I tried never to shy away from what was expected of me.

For A MASON I AM

After being raised to Master Mason I couldn’t wait until I had learned enough to confer all three of the Degrees of Masonry on newly initiated past and Raised Masons. I wanted to do this to some how make up for the many years that I had unknowingly cheated myself out of many wonders Masonry has to offer. I learned my lessons to the best of my ability and past them on to others who would later use them to pass to yet another.

I did this because of my sincere belief that we all have within our minds a compelling need to help and teach others of our craft. This is because
A MASON I AM
As we kneel before the Alter and place our hands upon the Holy book before us no matter our religions the holy book will be the one of our own faith to be sure. No matter if our origin is from the East, South, West, North (Or Even Space when the time comes) for in all of these Holy teachings there is one constant. That is the belief in a Supreme Being. We obligate our selves to be better than we were before.
FOR MASONS WE ARE
I am now through no special qualifications of my own, and especially no selfish or unmeritorious ambitions A PAST MASTER.

This happened in perhaps a shorter time than some would think prudent. One can not choose to become an Officer if he is not asked first. And he has no chance of becoming a senior Officer unless he is nominated and Elected Even after becoming a Senior Officer he might not necessarily be elected to become The Master of his lodge. Should he be elected by his fellow brethren to be the Master of the lodge he must always remember he is in that position because his lodge felt that he earned it, and not because he deserved it.

For a MASON HE IS

As I sit and reminisce, I still remember asking my Grandfather about that ring and its symbols of which he knew of them not. I can’t help but feel that I detected a note of sadness in his voice when he told me he could not explain of the symbols.
For A MASON He WAS NOT


I want to tell every one who reads this if indeed anyone ever will. That they owe many things to themselves, and that the most important thing is TO BECOME THE BEST MASON YOU CAN BE. Then tell your grandfathers, or fathers, or brothers, or sons, or grandsons and friends this one very important thing.

(A MASON YOU CAN BE.)

Written by
Frank Surber
Past Master Eugene Greene DFW 1441

Thank you I hope that all of you enjoyed it

Very nice. We all have wonderful stories of our gentle craft in action. Please share them with the brethren.
Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

WB Terry, Brethren & Those Interested in The Craft:

While it has been a long standing personal policy to eschew almost everything other than the Early Brief on the site, I came across this Forum by serendipitous accident and have now bookmarked it along other Masonic sites I frequent. Thank you so much for taking the job as moderator; I know of someone who was offered a chance at moderating for military.com who turned the job down as he was informed by senior management that they wanted and encouraged the unsightly vituperation that so frequently seems to be the hallmark of other parts of the forum structure.

I am currently in the first year of two as Senior Warden of my home Lodge, Ionic 186 in Duluth, Minnesota. I was raised to the Sublime Degree in January, 2004 and have personally found my labors to be far more richly rewarding than I ever imagined. I look forward to following the postings here with great interest.

Fraternally yours,
Br. Andrew

We are delighted to have you with us! I encourage you to tell your Masonic friends to join us here. Anyone may participate, active duty/retired/veteran, or just anyone who supports Masonry in the military.

Thank you, sir.

I have followed your specific situation via "The Burning Taper" blog and here. Good luck on your next trip to the sandbox, be safe and be well. As always keep us posted on your efforts.

Best regards,
Andrew

well just look at our unit crest on my avatar...

quote:

Originally posted by aniemyer:
WB Terry, Brethren & Those Interested in The Craft:

While it has been a long standing personal policy to eschew almost everything other than the Early Brief on the site, I came across this Forum by serendipitous accident and have now bookmarked it along other Masonic sites I frequent. Thank you so much for taking the job as moderator; I know of someone who was offered a chance at moderating for military.com who turned the job down as he was informed by senior management that they wanted and encouraged the unsightly vituperation that so frequently seems to be the hallmark of other parts of the forum structure.

I am currently in the first year of two as Senior Warden of my home Lodge, Ionic 186 in Duluth, Minnesota. I was raised to the Sublime Degree in January, 2004 and have personally found my labors to be far more richly rewarding than I ever imagined. I look forward to following the postings here with great interest.

Fraternally yours,
Br. Andrew

Greetings Br. Andrew:

Welcome aboard. Remember, this forum is not a tyled lodge so govern yourself accordingly. Anyway, jump and provide your comments and even new topics of interest. You will find out in the fraternity, you will get out of it what you put into it and more. See you on the boards. Thanks for the kind words too.

Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

Greeting Fellow Brothers.

Initiated, Passed, and Raised in Neill S. Stewart # 556 Erwin, NC.

Fraternally and Sincerely,

John

Greetings brethren...

MM out of Tolerance Lodge 1165 in Beaumont, TX and active Coast Guard stationed in Port Arthur, TX...

Brian