….and from behind every tree and wall, these embattled farmers stood!
By John Wilder, Captain
“Nobles and countrymen, lend me an ear, for I will tell you a tale, of the ride of Paul Revere.” As I prepare this month’s discourse, I am reminded of the stormy times leading up to this most important day of our country’s history. Economy was rocky, leadership fromthe current government non-existent, future uncertain, feeling totally removed from any representation, or any say as to the state of their own affairs. It was tense times leading to that fateful day, April 19th, year of the Lord 1775.
Without doubt, there are many parallels to our own current events. Time to stand steady on, our backs straight, with determination to steer our future course toward better times. Again we march, this year returning to many of our former venues. The Aleppo Shrine Minutemen are back, Bedford Pole capping, which for the last few years has been our only Patriot’s week event, to which we now add Arlington, on Sunday 15th, and Lexington on Monday 16th. Huzzah!!! We have returned. With all hopes from a future tense, let our return be with a full Company of Minute.
A hardy congratulations to our new Captain, John Wilder, formally now our Commanding Officer. A hardy and joyous retirement to our outgoing Captain, Richard Perry, after an incredible run in Office under the harshest circumstances, yet never letting the Company down. Awesome job, and welcome to the realm of Past Captain’s having fully earned the respect and admiration of a job well done. Time to rest, my Brother.
Cap’n Wilder has set forth an energetic schedule, following the theme of our new Potentate, Harlan Woods’ initiative to put feet on the road. John has already sent the schedule out in an e-mail so I will not repeat it here other than to ask, implore, or whatever it takes to fill the ranks on these upcoming T.O.D.’s and private pays. We are at a crossroads my Brothers and Nobles. All effort needs to be made to support our Hospitals, especially Boston and Cincinnati. We need to rebuild, with strong participation and purpose, with strong commitment. We need to recruit membership, to raise funding by our hard efforts to return Aleppo back to the days, as the rising star in Shrinedom. “Will you go my brother and answer the call to rebuild the Temple? If those Noble Giblemites of old whom, once freed from slavery had not taken that trek across the dessert to once again raise King Solomon’s Temple, where would we be today? Think about it when you decide that your lawn is more important than responding on the road with your fellow Nobles to march and support our hospitals, our kids, and our own fraternity. Try to make what events you can; yes it is an ambitious schedule, with an occasional back to back event. We really must fulfill these commitments to get us, as a whole, back to our former glories before the whole thing collapses like a house of cards. What say you?
By the time you read these “words of wit” we will have graciously spent an evening with our Illustrious Sir on his invite, to a wonderful evening of refreshments and conversation. The evening will supplement our normal monthly meeting and be held at his suite at our Shrine Center. Thank you Ill. Sir for the invite and the hospitality. As many of you know, I go back a day or three at these hallowed walls. Since joining the “Line,” Harlan’s whole effort has been towards supporting our “Shrine kids.” A few years ago Ill. Harlan wore a shirt that I actually used as a kick off for a previous bi-monthly article. I tried to post a picture of it which unfortunately was not high enough quality to print. That same line is now his Ill. Sir’s motto on his Shrine pins, “For the Kids!!!” Let us reach into our bag of resolve and make the effort to support that goal this year. If you know of a newly minted Blue Lodge Mason looking for more than to carry a card, interested in something more industrial than reciting ritual (not that there is anything wrong with that either), recruit him. If not our Company of miscreants, then in one of our brother Units. It takes many skills to build a “Temple” (Fraternity) especially in this day and age of instant gratification, and addition to the electronic god of millennial generation.
For those taking part in this Patriot’s week activities, you may be blessed to see a young boy in a wheelchair, with a colonial uniform and a drum. His name is John McConnell, and he hails from Alaska. He has been receiving drum lessons from Anthony Jenkins of His Mgt. 10th Reg. of Foote. John is a “Make a Wish” child, his dream is to “march” and play on the “Battle Road” and take part in the events. Many Companies of the Continental Line, and British Units including particularly the 10th Reg. of Foote, worked diligently to make his dream come true. There are so many people to thank that made this possible to even make an attempt. Certainly three names ring out; Jim Hollister of the NPS, Anthony Jenkins, Capt. Steve Crosby Acton MM; they are but a few including several other Companies of Minute which contributed towards making this Wish a reality. HUZZAH! to all. It is incredible what can happen when like-minded people put their collective heads together. And so it goes with our own little miracles, of our Shrine Kids. On that note, and a prayer, I will see you all on the Road.
Our Most Humble & Obedient Servant:
Father Time