Do you think that the troops in Iraq deserve to have a masonic lodge? If so- then read on:

Dear Most Worshipful Grand Master of New York, and Brothers, I was asked to help with this masonic project, in November of 2005. After 20 months of waiting, it appears that we are no closer to having permission for Land, Sea, and Air lodge to meet, that we were when I agreed to assist.I am somewhat confused at the situation, but since I am not a member of any New York lodge, and just an outsider, who is trying to help, it really does not matter.I propose that all agree to re-apply ourselves, to the task of re-establishing Masonry in the Republic of Iraq, at least for the US Military and civilian forces who are risking their lives here in this place.The Masonic Veterans of New York purchased $3500 worth of masonic lodge equipment and regalia, and it has been sitting in a secured storage locker since it arrived, in December 2005. I do not understand how you, as grand line officers can justify the expenditure of this amount of money, for the equipment just to sit, unused for all these months. But that is between you and the Masonic Veterans of New York. If we just "shuck it right down to the cob", as we say in Kentucky, the problem is that the Grand Lodge of New York has been sitting on this project, ever since I was directed to send the lodge charter back to New York in December 2005. I was promised that a new charter (or dispensation, or some other written authority to operate), would be issued "next year". I assumed that would be January 2006. It is now July 2007, and the equipment still sits in the locker, we have no authority to operate, and we are no closer to having masonic labor here, than when I sent the document back by certified mail.The solution is simple. I request that the Grand Lodge of New York, immediately, and without delay, issue a charter/dispensation/warrant, so that Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1 UD, can begin Masonic labor. There are many hundreds of Masons here in the Republic of Iraq, both civilian and military, who need and deserve to have masonic fellowship in a tyled lodge. These men work in miserable conditions, 12 hour shifts in 120 degree heat, wearing 75 pounds of body armor and equipment. They have not seen their families in months, and many are on their second or third tour here. I myself, have been in Iraq for 22 months, and I will be here for a total of 36 months. I have not been able to attend a masonic lodge meeting since July 2005. Iraq is a land of extreme danger, as you well know. But it is also a land of loneliness, boredom, separation from family and friends, and melancholy. How you can deny these fine men, who endure all this for your freedom, is beyond me. I have lived in a communist dictatorship, where Masonry is illegal. I have lived in an Islamic Kingdom, where Masonry is illegal. I have attended lodge in Russia, with men who risked prison to keep our craft alive during the communist years. I cherish Masonry. I believe that the military and civilian masons in Iraq deserve the quiet retreat of Masonry. Back in the summer of 2006, a Brother Mason who was a Navy SeaBee, was killed outside of my base. He was riding in a vehicle, and they hit a roadside bomb. He was torn in half from the crotch to the neck, and it took him a long time to die. The masons here wanted to perform a lodge of sorrow for our departed brother. But because we did not have permission to operate, we did not. I just hope that the Masons back in Texas have more respect for his sacrifice than the Grand Lodge of New York. During this entire time on this project, I have done everything I can to get authority to operate. Masons from all over Iraq, have asked me, when there will some chance for activity, and all I can tell them is to be patient.Although I am not a New York mason, I certainly respect your protocols and procedures, although I am by no means an expert on New York jurisprudence. I started a lodge website, under the explicit directions and guidance of the 2005 Grand Lodge webmaster, and the lodge website was in total conformance with the rules and procedures received from your webmaster. The website was donated free, and neither cost any money, nor generated any revenue. We received over 12,000 hits on the website, often congratulations from masons world wide for our starting a lodge here in Iraq. Then for no reason at all ,we were directed to de-activate the website.As I explained in my previous letter, there is no money or revenue from any source for this lodge. There is no bank account in New York, Virginia, New Jersey, or elsewhere. The balance is ZERO. Here is what we need to do:-Immediately issue written authority for Land,Sea, and Air lodge to begin masonic labor. We have a number of experienced masons from several US and foreign Grand Lodge jurisdictions. I have experience with military traveling lodges (I served in Saudi Arabia, where there are four masonic lodges). I can whip us into shape, and we can perform rituals and opening/closing ceremonies.-Immediately issue written permission to re-open the website for Land,Sea, and Air Lodge. We get the website for FREE, and no revenue is generated. We will keep the website in full conformity with applicable New York website policies. The site will be hot-linked to the Grand Lodge of New York website, and we request that the lodge website be similarly linked back from the Grand Lodge website.-Since it is a requirement for a New York Mason to be present, I request that the Grand Master direct Master Builder lodge #911 (or any other New York lodge of your choosing), to proceed to interview me by telephone or video conference, so that my application for dual membership can be duly balloted on. I applied with Master Builder #911 in December 2005 ,and they happily accepted my check for $75, but after all this time, I have never been interviewed, and no proper ballot has been made. Is it standard procedure for a New York lodge to accept dues payment from individuals, and then not act on their applications? My brothers, the problem is simple, and the solution is simple. Let's all work together, and move forward on this project. Masonically Thine,Charles E. MartinTall'Afar, Iraq

If you agree that the Grand Lodge of New York should issue a dispensation for Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1 to meet, then send an email to

Neal Bidnick
Grand Master of Masons in New York
at
nbidnick@glnydgm.net

and

Gil Savitsky
Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New York
at
NYSGrandSecy@aol.com

Bro. Charles - Well stated case! Another possible reason is that they might think that a military lodge in Iraq might allow weapons into the lodge room and we all know what happened in a lodge in New York the year prior (2004), when weapons are allowed in lodge. I say every now in then in life, one has to lay all of the cards on the table whether or not we like the hand dealt, or the outcome. I am with you on this one brother! Good luck.

Fraternally,
/s/
Wbro. Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TerryTCT,

So mote it be and stay that way. Good luck brother, I'm with you.

Every military person here in Iraq/Afghanistan is required to carry a weapon and a magazine filled with ammo at all times. The weapons are all on condition (4), which means NO ammo in the weapon, and the safety ON. If the GL of NY has a problem with masons carrying weapons into the lodge room, then the whole show is off.

There are a number of lodges meeting in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries, where the members must carry weapons. This is not a problem.

We just must get the GL of NY, to get moving on our dispensation.

I'm curious if it would be possible to get dispensation from another GL... There has to be a Grand out there that will come to your aid.

If this is not a possibility please explain why.

JD

sirs, i am writing on behalf of a fellow senoir demolay brother who is currently serving our great nation in the war on terror in afghanistan, who wishes to become a mason and enjoy the fellowship of masons while upholding the 7th DeMolay precept of Patriotism. any information would gladly be appreciatly sent to kendallinbartlett@yahoo.com

I'll help get you in contact with GL of TEXAS. We have a large contingent of veteran Masons, even a GL sponsored Veteran roll and news letter.

Give me an email CStreeper541@aol.com let's get you guys rolling over there. You more than deserve it.

On another note... I might be headed that way too, not 100% sure yet. I'd sure love to be in lodge with my brothers while I'm there.

~CHRIS

Contact the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. They have a long history of granting warrants to Military Lodges under their jurisdiction. All Florida and Oklahoma lodges originated from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania during the Indian Wars as "Travelling Lodges". I don't think that Pennsylvania will turn you down.

You could try the American Canadian Grand Lodge who operates under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of Germany, who currently have lodges operating in the Middle East. ACGL was set up originally for the benefit of masons serving in Europe and spread to the Mid East with ex service personnel working in Saudi Arabia not exactly the most pro Masonic government in the world. They can be contacted at:

http://acgl.freimaurer.org/




S&F
Bill T-K
PM 5758
PM 3477
London Grand Rank

We have approached some other Grand Lodges for advice and counsel. There are some other factors involved here.

First: The Masonic Veterans of New York, own all of the lodge equipment. It was purchased for the use of Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1, Grand Lodge of New York. All of the aprons and other equipment is imprinted with Land, Sea, And Air Lodge #1 information. If we get a charter from some other jurisdiction, the Masonic Veterans of New York would be justified in demanding all of their equipment be returned to them. Then we would be a chartered lodge with no equipment, instead of an equipped lodge with no charter. Unable to operate, and right back where we started two years ago.

We approached the United American-Canadian Grand Lodge of Germany some time ago. They flat out refused to even consider helping us, or even the possibility of issuing a charter to us.

I assure everyone, that we are trying all of the angles, and doing what we can to get masonry back to Iraq. I have posted my open letter to the Grand Master on several internet web sites. It is my hope that masons will contact the Grand Master of New York, and he will decide to move forward and issue the authority for us operate in Iraq, with the Masonic equipment that has been so generously provided, by the Masonic Veterans of New York.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
We have approached some other Grand Lodges for advice and counsel. There are some other factors involved here.

First: The Masonic Veterans of New York, own all of the lodge equipment. It was purchased for the use of Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1, Grand Lodge of New York. All of the aprons and other equipment is imprinted with Land, Sea, And Air Lodge #1 information. If we get a charter from some other jurisdiction, the Masonic Veterans of New York would be justified in demanding all of their equipment be returned to them. Then we would be a chartered lodge with no equipment, instead of an equipped lodge with no charter. Unable to operate, and right back where we started two years ago.

We approached the United American-Canadian Grand Lodge of Germany some time ago. They flat out refused to even consider helping us, or even the possibility of issuing a charter to us.

I assure everyone, that we are trying all of the angles, and doing what we can to get masonry back to Iraq. I have posted my open letter to the Grand Master on several internet web sites. It is my hope that masons will contact the Grand Master of New York, and he will decide to move forward and issue the authority for us operate in Iraq, with the Masonic equipment that has been so generously provided, by the Masonic Veterans of New York.

Thanks for the update. If someone doesn't hurry, the war will be over before a new charter is granted. I say if the GL of NY won't charter the Air Sea Land Lodge, box up their working tools and aprons and put it aside or mail it back to them. If not, box it up and set it aside and let the GL of NY make a request for their items and send postage to do so and let another GL take the lead and take their working tools and aprons and use them. Another option is wait for the next Grand Master and maybe he will be pro-Military. My .02 cents.

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

quote:

Originally posted by SigNuCoastie:
I'll help get you in contact with GL of TEXAS. We have a large contingent of veteran Masons, even a GL sponsored Veteran roll and news letter.

Give me an email CStreeper541@aol.com let's get you guys rolling over there. You more than deserve it.

On another note... I might be headed that way too, not 100% sure yet. I'd sure love to be in lodge with my brothers while I'm there.

~CHRIS

Chris : if you find yourself in Kuwait look me up we'll have a cup of coffee together I have been living here since 2003 I started moving my business over here in 2002 I have met several Texas masons over the years while living here several of whom have sat in lodge with me back in Tx. If a regular lodge were to get started in Iraq under a Grand Lodge that is in friendly relations with the Most Worshipal Grand lodge of Texas I would be interested in flying up there from time to time
There is a group of Kuwaiti here who are members of a lodge in Egypt who are tryingto get permission from the Kuwaiti ministery to start the procedures under the Grand Lodge of Scottland to recieve a Charter for one here.
I sencerly wish that the Most Worshipal Grand Lodge of Texas did not have in its laws restricting it from starting up lodges in other lands Well We do have the Tranquility Lodge 2000 don't we? I am a charter member of that lodge
Have a good one
Frank Surber PM Eugene Green 1441 North richland Hills TX.

quote:

Originally posted by TerryTCT:

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
We have approached some other Grand Lodges for advice and counsel. There are some other factors involved here.

First: The Masonic Veterans of New York, own all of the lodge equipment. It was purchased for the use of Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1, Grand Lodge of New York. All of the aprons and other equipment is imprinted with Land, Sea, And Air Lodge #1 information. If we get a charter from some other jurisdiction, the Masonic Veterans of New York would be justified in demanding all of their equipment be returned to them. Then we would be a chartered lodge with no equipment, instead of an equipped lodge with no charter. Unable to operate, and right back where we started two years ago.

We approached the United American-Canadian Grand Lodge of Germany some time ago. They flat out refused to even consider helping us, or even the possibility of issuing a charter to us.

I assure everyone, that we are trying all of the angles, and doing what we can to get masonry back to Iraq. I have posted my open letter to the Grand Master on several internet web sites. It is my hope that masons will contact the Grand Master of New York, and he will decide to move forward and issue the authority for us operate in Iraq, with the Masonic equipment that has been so generously provided, by the Masonic Veterans of New York.

Thanks for the update. If someone doesn't hurry, the war will be over before a new charter is granted. I say if the GL of NY won't charter the Air Sea Land Lodge, box up their working tools and aprons and put it aside or mail it back to them. If not, box it up and set it aside and let the GL of NY make a request for their items and send postage to do so and let another GL take the lead and take their working tools and aprons and use them. Another option is wait for the next Grand Master and maybe he will be pro-Military. My .02 cents.

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

If it comes down to it and a lodge gets chartered onder another GL should it find itself without the working tools I can loan My Great Light that I recieved on my raising the rest I could hand fabricate for you if need be
Frank Surber PM eugene Green 1441 NRH. TX