Veterans
Information
Veterans Dedication
Collington Lodge has dedicated this year to the Veterans. As part of this dedication, we set out
to provide veteran oriented presentations at the second meeting of each month
during the first half of the year. These presentations were so well received,
that I’m please to inform you that this program will continue when our meetings
pick up again in the fall.
To date, Collington has participated in the Bowie Memorial Day parade, a wreath
laying ceremony at the Bowie Veterans Memorial Park, and visitations with
Veterans at Charlotte Hall.
We invite you to attend Lodge, celebrate your patriotism & fraternal obligation,
learn more about Masonry & our military, and enjoy the fellowship that always
follows. Keep an eye out in future Trestle Boards for upcoming presentations.
We are in need of more “Did You Know?” histories. Please share your military experiences with your Brethren. E-mail me at:
PiersonCL@yahoo.com
Sincerely & Fraternally, Chris Pierson, Chairman of the Veterans Committee
Note: Links to web sites of interest will appear as a Link
to the web
page.
Masonry In The Military
One story making its way around our Masonic family, is the Land Sea and Air
Lodge #1 at the Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. This Lodge awaits a Charter and
dispensation from the Grand Lodge of New York state. The Lodge will serve some
30 Master Masons currently stationed there. This group is currently operating
as an active Masonic Square & Compass Club that meets twice a month. Six Marines
and two civilians have petitioned the Lodge to receive the Degrees of Masonry.
More information is available at
Land Sea and Air Lodge #1
A story of the Lodge appeared in the Empire State Mason publication,
ESM Fall 2005
Lodge Activities
As part of our dedication, we have begun to schedule presentations during our
second stated communications on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Several
presenters and organizations have been identified and scheduling such events are
underway. If you have any ideas, suggestions or topics of interest that we might
consider, please contact the Veterans Committee
Military News
Joshua A. Gilson, Master Mason and son of Brother Bradley A. Gilson, enlisted
in the United States Air Force and reported for Basic Training at Langley AFB on
28 December 2005. He graduated on 10 February 2006 and was sent to
Vandenburg AFB, CA for additional training.Did You Know
Bro. S. Jack Hill, Jr., PM served in the Army Air Corps, 9th Air Force from 1943
to 1945, attaining the rank of Sergeant. As a radar repairman for early
aircraft warning radar and in support of front line troops and directing attack
aircraft, Brother Hill landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on D+1. He was
awarded four Bronze Stars for his actions in Normandy, Northern France, The
Battle of the Bulge and Germany.
Bro. Brad Gilson, our JD, joined the U.S. Marine Corps. in November 1981 and
retired in November 2003. During his career he served in the Arctic Circle,
Beruit, Japan, Bangladash, and Hawaii just to name a few. Bro. Brad held many
positions including aircrewman on UC12B aircraft, door gunner, flight planner,
operations chief, and several training and instructional roles. His last
position was Aerial Bombing Range Manager for Piney Island. In honor of Bro.
Brad's retirement, one of the partly submerged ships used as a target was named
the USS GILSON.
Bro. William Hudgins, Jr., son of Bro. William Hudgins, Sr., and grandson of
Bro. Edward L. Hudgins, Jr. served in the U. S. Army. He was stationed in
Iraq from April 2003 until November 2003. As a Sgt. with A Co. 3/58 AVN
Regt and working for the 1st Armored Division, he was in Baghdad as an Air
Traffic Control Liason between the U. S. Army and the Royal Australian aiir
Force. Afterwards, he was in Balad as the Air Traffic Control Tower Chief.
Bro. Robert (Bob) E. Madel, PM, Junior Warden, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in September 1959. As
an airborne communications technician, Bob flew missions as part of 24/7
Airborne Command Post operations. He Served in Massachusetts, Nebraska,
Maryland, and Hawaii. Some intermittent flights included Yokota AB, Japan, Kadena AB, Okinawa, Clark AB, Philippines, and
Bangkok, Thailand. Bob retired in September 1979 and went to work with the U.S.
Secret Service.
Thanks Veterans
Chris Pierson, Senior Steward, Chairman PiersonCL@yahoo.com
