Is there a lodge or Masonic club in Bagram, Afghanistan? I have been transferred there, and I will leave Iraq in a day or two.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Is there a lodge or Masonic club in Bagram, Afghanistan? I have been transferred there, and I will leave Iraq in a day or two.

Bro. Charles: Not that is known, however, you can start one up like the Air Sea Land Lodge in Iraq. Good luck.
F&S
Terry, PM
Centre Lodge No. 23 F&AM
Indianapolis, Indiana
Moderator In Training
Military.Com

Not likely. I was asked by the Grand Lodge of New York, to take over the operation of Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1, here in Iraq, in November 2005. The GL of NY, asked me to send the charter back to New York, and that a new charter would be issued, next year. This request was made in December 2005, and I sent the charter back in December 2005. I thought I would get a new authorization in January 2006. It is now August 2007, and the masonic regalia sits in a storage locker, and has never been used for a meeting. I have written the GL of NY many times, and they will not answer my mail, even though $3500 dollars worth of their masonic regalia is here.

The GL of NY will never issue a charter/dispensation for a lodge to meet in Afghanistan or Iraq. The current Grand Master is not interested in supporting the masons who risk their lives here in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If masonry comes to the troops and civilians here in Iraq/Afghanistan, it will be from another Grand Lodge. The masons in New York should be ashamed of their own Grand Lodge.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
Not likely. I was asked by the Grand Lodge of New York, to take over the operation of Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1, here in Iraq, in November 2005. The GL of NY, asked me to send the charter back to New York, and that a new charter would be issued, next year. This request was made in December 2005, and I sent the charter back in December 2005. I thought I would get a new authorization in January 2006. It is now August 2007, and the masonic regalia sits in a storage locker, and has never been used for a meeting. I have written the GL of NY many times, and they will not answer my mail, even though $3500 dollars worth of their masonic regalia is here.

The GL of NY will never issue a charter/dispensation for a lodge to meet in Afghanistan or Iraq. The current Grand Master is not interested in supporting the masons who risk their lives here in Iraq and Afghanistan.

If masonry comes to the troops and civilians here in Iraq/Afghanistan, it will be from another Grand Lodge. The masons in New York should be ashamed of their own Grand Lodge.

Bro. Charles: I agree with you 100%. I believe that the GLofNY has had it's problems over the years and it is not surprising that they won't support a lodge in Iraq, or answer your numerous requests for assistance. Try a National Sojourners Chapter, or something similar. GM's can be odd fellows, with one being pro-military and the next just the opposite. Another option is just wait for the next GM and try again. Better yet, try another jurisdiction and ask other brothers from other GL jurisdictions to make requests of their GM's. Not to cast stones, but here is that old article from the NY Times about one such problem in the jurisdiction of the GLofNY, (See attached). I thought offensive weapons are to remain outside of a lodge whether tiled or not. Hearing this really burns me up. Your views are duly noted Bro. Charles. Don't give up the ship and keep on trying.

NY Times Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/10/nyregion/10shot.html?...007&partner=USERLAND
Fraternally,
/s/
Wbro. Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
Moderator In Training
Military.Com

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

I found out a couple of days ago, that I am being posted to Sharana, Afghanistan. It is a small Forward Operating Base, out in the boondocks. There is probably not enough masonic population to support a lodge. Maybe I can start a masonic "square and compasses club".

It has been a real disappointment, that I was not able to participate in a tyled lodge in Iraq. I will be here in Afghanistan, at least until the end of 2007, maybe longer. I may get a new assignment to Iraq in 2008, depending on whether my firm has a need there.

I arrived at Forward Operating Base, -deleted- yesterday. It is much bigger than I thought previously. The base has about -deleted- American civilians and military personnel here, and it is growing! There are also -deleted- troops here, and -deleted- military forces. I spoke with the First Sergeant, and asked if there was any masonic lodge or club here. He is not a mason, and he said that there was nothing organized at this time.

I asked the First Sergeant, if there would be any objection to me starting a club, and he said there would be no problem at all, and that he would get the Commander to issue a letter of permission. I will see the Chaplain, about getting a room to meet in.

I am going to be servicing -deleted- other bases in -deleted-: -deleted-, -deleted- and -deleted-. I will be flying between the bases by helicopter. This job is one of a kind.

I am temporarily living in a tent, sleeping on a cot. The hot water heater blew up last night, so there is no hot water or any water in the shower tent. The US Army runs the food service here, and the quality of the food is excellent, much better than I had imagined. They even have eggs here, I have not had an egg since March, the military dining halls quit serving eggs in Iraq.

This base is very safe, there are no mortar attacks or combat in the vicinity. The -deleted- forces fire a few rounds down the mountain every night, to discourage the insurgents from camping on the slopes. The base itself is on a -deleted-. The elevation here is -deleted-, and since I have spent the last two years in the Iraqi desert, I am taking some time to get used to the thin air.

-Modified to eliminate possible opsec sensitive info.-

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

Actually, Oklahoma has that Jurisdiction and there are Brethren from all walks in Bagram.
I have a Brother from my Lodge who is currently on the Navy side of Bagram and this is his 3rd trip there and he has made connections with othere Brethren there.Don't give up hope, I will contact him and find the LIGHT that you are seeking.

Daron Brown PM

I met yesterday with a Brother Mason here at Sharana. There is an informal Masonic Study Group here, and there are plans for a working lodge.

There are also a number of Eastern Star members here, and plans for an Eastern Star chapter.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
I met yesterday with a Brother Mason here at Sharana. There is an informal Masonic Study Group here, and there are plans for a working lodge.

Bro. Charles: That is great. What ever happened to the GLNY pulling the charter of Air Sea Land Lodge? Can another GL do what GLNY has failed to do? You should get a brother from each state to push their GM of their GL to do something? I say forget GLNY for now they are not going to do anything one way or the other. The last lodge that I am aware of that the GLNY pulled the charter was the lodge involved in the so called "Craft Club" initiation, a brother was shot and killed during the ritual.
See info below that is non-copyright material
http://mastermason.com/WallerLodge/accident.htm

Anyone care to help aid and assist our brethren in harms way? I say that it is a shame that our brethren in Iraq/Afganistan cannot have a lodge sponsored by a Grand Lodge somewhere. My .02 cents of Masters Wages.
Fraternally
/s/
Terry, Past Master
Indiana Freemason
U.S. Army (Ret).
Kentucky Colonel
Hot Topics Moderator

I have sent word to the GM of KY requesting he expedite this process. Don't know if it will work, but the request will be made forcefully.

quote:

Land Lodge? Can another GL do what GLNY has failed to do? You should get a brother from each state to push their GM of their GL to do something? I say forget GLNY for now they are not going to do anything one way or the other. The last lodge that I am aware of that the GLNY pulled the charter was the lodge involved in the so called "Craft Club" initiation, a brother was shot and killed during the ritual.
See info below that is non-copyright material
http://mastermason.com/WallerLodge/accident.htm

Anyone care to help aid and assist our brethren in harms way? I say that it is a shame that our brethren in Iraq/Afganistan cannot have a lodge sponsored by a Grand Lodge somewhere. My .02 cents of Masters Wages.
Fraternally
/s/
Terry, Past Master
Indiana Freemason
U.S. Army (Ret).
Kentucky Colonel
Hot Topics Moderator

quote:

Originally posted by Dean51267:
I have sent word to the GM of KY requesting he expedite this process. Don't know if it will work, but the request will be made forcefully.

Thank you brother. Keep us all posted.

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

The grand lodge of New York, did not "pull" the charter. They have decided to display it in a Masonic museum in New York City. The charter is Grand Lodge property, and they have every right to do with the charter as they please.

We are hoping that the GLNY will issue a "dispensation", or even issue a "facsimile" of the existing charter. The Charter need not be physically present in Iraq for us to operate. But we must have some form of written authority from the Grand Lodge of NY, before we can perform any masonic labor, under their sponsorship.

One of the stumbling blocks, is that we have no New York Masons present here. I applied with a lodge in Buffalo NY, back in December 2005, and the lodge has still not processed my application. I was informed in an email, that my application for dual membership was approved, but I have not yet heard directly from the lodge secretary, nor do I have a dues card from the New York lodge.

yes and it smoking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDnT_4EgtHM

Gee.... maybe we could all take a lesson from our PH balanced brothers.

The Prince Hall lodges sure seem to have their membership problems figured out. They don't seem to have any issues with men joining.

Just wandered in here and I know this reply is 4 months late or so, but cemab4y, you should really keep a lid on some of the details you provide about where you live, who is there, strength of the force on base etc.

If you don't understand what I am saying, walk up to the nearest soldier or marine and ask him what opsec means.

quote:

Originally posted by thomashton:
Just wandered in here and I know this reply is 4 months late or so, but cemab4y, you should really keep a lid on some of the details you provide about where you live, who is there, strength of the force on base etc.

If you don't understand what I am saying, walk up to the nearest soldier or marine and ask him what opsec means.

Good point other than being alittle untimely by about four months. In the future, go to the yellow triangle and report the post if it appears to reveal opsec sensitive information which is addressed in the Terms of Service (TOS). Having brough the issue to light, the post will be modified accordingly.

quote:

Originally posted by SigNuCoastie:
Gee.... maybe we could all take a lesson from our PH balanced brothers.

The Prince Hall lodges sure seem to have their membership problems figured out. They don't seem to have any issues with men joining.

If I was there, I would definately be requesting a plural membership to join our Prince Hall brethren who appear to have no problem operating a lodge in harms way. Good job Prince Hall Masons! We can learn much from our Prince Hall brothers. Unfortunately, not all states recognize Prince Hall Masons, but some do like Indiana where I am from. Odd that I am saying this on the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King federal holiday.

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

I left Afghanistan in October 2007. I am in Fort Wayne Indiana. I will be returning to Iraq in February 2008. The GL of New York is still on a "freeze", and will most likely NOT support freemasonry for the troops and civilians in Iraq/Afghanistan.

We will probably set up a Masonic Square and Compasses club, and have some fellowship, barbecues, etc. but no masonic labor or degree work.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
I left Afghanistan in October 2007. I am in Fort Wayne Indiana. I will be returning to Iraq in February 2008. The GL of New York is still on a "freeze", and will most likely NOT support freemasonry for the troops and civilians in Iraq/Afghanistan.

We will probably set up a Masonic Square and Compasses club, and have some fellowship, barbecues, etc. but no masonic labor or degree work.

Don't forget to invite the Prince Hall brethren. Better yet, go to a local Prince Hall Lodge meeting if you can, or vice versa. That is what I would do given what the GLNY has done or not done for our brethren in harms way. Sorry for the commentary, but I have strong view on this subject.
Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Freemason
Hot Topics Moderator

This is exactly what I intend to do. I hold a dual membership with a New York lodge, and the GLNY has full recognition with Prince Hall Masonry. I am looking forward to participating with all of the Masons at Taji, Iraq.

Hmmm. I was in Taji in 2004 and the beginning of 2005. Didn't know there was an established group of Masons there.

Taji is so huge with multiple MWR centers and two big DFACs that you would see flyers for all kinds of groups etc, but I never did see one for Masons.

Then again, I haven't been there in nearly 3 years.