Veteran 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 this program will continue at our meetings.

Collington Lodge has participated in several Bowie Memorial Day parades, a wreath laying ceremonys 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 them to the Veterans Committee Chairman, as listed below.

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.

Lodge Activities

We have begun to schedule presentations during our second stated communications on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, as part of our dedication. 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 Chairman.

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 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 an 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 Air Force.  Afterwards, he was in Balad as the Air Traffic Control Tower Chief.

Bro. Robert (Bob) E. Madel, PM, 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, Veterans Chairman

Click to contact Veterans Chairman by E-mail.