California Freemasons Division IX

Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, was one of the wealthiest men in France (which is to say in the world), when, inspired by the words of the American... Declaration of Independence, he left the comfort and security of his home, traveled to America, and offered his service to the cause of American liberty. At age 19, he was commissioned Major General, to this day the youngest person ever to hold that rank in the American army. Lafayette soon became one of General Washington’s most trusted generals, and his contributions to American independence are immeasurable. Having been orphaned at a young age, Lafayette greatly admired Washington, who became a father figure for him. And likewise, Lafayette became like a foster son to Washington, who had no biological children of his own. To the end of his long and celebrated life, Lafayette remained devoted to his adopted county. He named his only son George Washington and named a daughter Virginia. He named his French estate Little Virginia and required those who visited him there to speak English (a language he had taught himself while crossing the ocean to join the American cause). Having returned to France after the war ended, Lafayette became a key player in the cause of French liberty and he remains a revered hero in that country as well. He was the principal author of the French Declaration of the Rights of Man, modeling it on the American Declaration of Independence, and he helped create the French tri-color flag, inspired by (you guessed it) the American flag. Lafayette was 67 years old when, in 1824, President James Monroe and Congress invited him to come to the United States in honor of the nation’s upcoming 50th birthday. After Washington’s death in 1799, he had given up his dream of someday returning to Virginia and living near Mount Vernon, but Lafayette was delighted at the invitation and welcomed the opportunity to return to the country he had helped create. During his year-long grand tour of the country, the aging hero (one of the last surviving leaders of the Revolution) visited all 24 states and was greeted everywhere he went by cheering enthusiastic crowds. When he returned to France in September 1825, he took back with him some soil from Bunker Hill. At age 76, Lafayette died at his home in Paris. At his request, his son George Washington du Motier sprinkled the soil from Bunker Hill over his father’s coffin as it was lowered into the ground. An American flag has flown continually over the grave ever since. When word of Lafayette’s death reached America there was an outpouring of grief that equaled that when Washington died. Flags were lowered to half mast, John Quincy Adams delivered a eulogy in a joint session of Congress attended by the president, the cabinet, the Supreme Court justices, and the American diplomatic corps. Twenty-four-gun salutes were fired by every American naval ship and at every American military post, followed by a single cannon shot every half-hour afterwards until sunset. For six months American officers wore black armbands, and American citizens wore mourning dress for thirty days. Hundreds of places in America, including at least 36 cities and towns, are named in honor of Lafayette. Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, the Hero of Two Worlds, died on May 20, 1834, one hundred eighty-seven years ago today. The painting is Lafayette’s Baptism of Fire by E. Percy Moran (1909).

Crossing to Tijuana 14 year old Burn patient returning home to Ensenada Baja Ca.. after 44 days in Northern Californis Shriners Hospital for children Sacramento... burn unit after been airlifted, Crusando a tijuana a paciente de quemaduras de 14 años ya de regreso a casa en Ensenada Baja Ca . Despues 44 dias y de haber sido transportada en ambulancia Aerea al Northern California shriners Hospital For Children Sacramento unidad de Quemaduras Sacramento, See more

Today, we remember Senior DeMolay Michael Haub of New York DeMolay. A Past Master Councilor of Nassau Chapter, Br. Haub was a member of New York City Fire Depar...tment (FDNY). He died in responding to the fire at the World Trade Center. He was posthumously awarded the Legion of Honor by Grand Master Gregory Klemm, International Master Councilor Jason Polonsky and Executive Officer Dad Bruce Hazard. He would later be inducted into the New York DeMolay Hall of Fame. http://bravestmemorial.net//memb/haub_michael_fr_l004.html Our thoughts and prayers are with he, his family, and all who knew him.

Such a difficult year. Another good and gentle brother has moved on. RIP Brother Karbosky. My condolences Marilouise and your family.

Check out Brother Sekera's book. Available on Amazon now. https://www.amazon.com/Road-Less-Traveled-Jou//ref=sr_1_1

MEET MIRNA! - Mirna has been a patient of Shriners Hospitals for Children Galveston since earlier this year, due to burns she sustained to 85% of her body in ...2018. She's traveled from Lebanon to Galveston to address her complex reconstructive needs. With the assistance of our highly-specialized plastic surgery team, Mirna is now able to use her hands to color beautiful pictures. When she first arrived, Mirna was incredibly shy and only spoke to her mother. Since making frequent visits to Shriners, Mirna now walks the halls with confidence and has great conversations in English and Arabic with staff and others. See more

I AM a Past Master. I can rise, advise, give good counsel then, politely sit down and grab my pen and paper to receive further instruction. Can teach, but al...ways willing to be taught. Have led, but know when to pass the torch. I am a good leader yet, an even better follower. I have only 1 mouth to instruct but, 2 ears to listen, and 2 eyes to learn and 2 hands to help. People often say we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians, alluding to the fact that we as a fraternity need more builders and less micro-management. I say that if we truly meet upon the level, we are ALL to be builders with our leaders standing on the front line to lead by example. Show, navigate, try, and prove. To correct and be corrected. To give counsel and be counseled. I AM not greater or less... I AM your brother. I AM a Past Master /G\ SMIB See more

Cheers to another weekend! Watch the recap of this week's virtual toast with Junior Grand Warden Randy Brill. #MasonsofCA #TimetoToast