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To Families, Wives/Widows and Caregivers Should the person to whom this newsletter is addressed be ill or in some difficulty, please con-

tact the Lodge Secretary at (619) 296-0660 or email him at: secretary@sandiego35.org

From the South As we celebrate the creation of this great nation I found myself reading the Declaration of Independence, renewing my faith in our Masonic forefathers and reflecting upon their accomplishments. It occurred to me what other great symbols exist to celebrate our nation. Just over 150 years ago, in 1865, that most unique symbol of freedom and opportunity, the Statue of Liberty was first envi-sioned by a group of Frenchmen, one of whom was the Masonic brother of George Washington, Henri Martin. He is attributed with being instrumental in the endeavor. Under Martin‘s leadership and inspired perhaps, by the fact that so many of the sponsors of the Franco-American Union were members of the Masonic Fraternity, 19 years later, on August 5th, 1885 the Statue of Liberty was erected with all ceremonies complete.

Aside from being a magnificent feat of engineering, the statue’s symbol-ism of a figure holding a torch of freedom in one hand and clasping a book of laws inscribed with the date “July 4, 1776” in the other, casts its light far beyond the horizon. The Statue of Liberty is a guiding sym-bol to the path of freedom for peo-ple of all nations.

And the Masonic connection is strong. Historically, it has been a tradition in America to have the cornerstone of major public and private buildings and monuments consecrated with full Masonic rites, ever since President George Wash-ington, who personally laid the cor-nerstone of the United States Capi-tal.

aim we have in view. And though, as a nation we have at times seemed to abandon or misconstrue these principles, we have always come together to course-correct and prove the greatness that has been admired the world over. When Emma Lazarus penned The New Colossus in 1883, more than 100 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, she understood what our forefathers understood — that the true value of this great country lie not in the raw resources it possessed, but rather in the raw talents seeded in the indi-viduals who were granted the free-dom to explore the talents they brought with them and passed on to new generations of Americans. Let us not forget that we are still a shining light to which people flock

for the promise of a better future.

See you in lodge!

W. Jay Sener IV Master

(Continued from page 1) The Statue of Liberty was conse-crated with full Masonic corner-stone honors accorded by the Grand Lodge of New York. Of interest in the list of items included in the cop-per box within the cornerstone are 20 bronze medals of past Presidents including Washington, Monroe, Jackson, Polk, Buchanan, Johnson, and Garfield who were proven Freemasons. It is said the most Worshipful Grand Master of New York at the time, concluded the cer-emonies by posing a question: "Why call upon the Masonic Frater-nity to lay the cornerstone of such a structure as is here to be erected?" His answer, which is as true today as it was then, was: "No institution has done more to promote liberty and to free men from the trammels and chains of ignorance and tyran-ny than has Freemasonry.”

Wishing you and your families a peaceful 4th of July. Peter Newman Junior Warden

2018 Annual Communication The 169th Annual Communication is just around the corner! If you plan on attending this annual event, please visit the Grand Lodge web-site to register. The website: www.freemason.org Dates: October 19-21, 2018 Where: San Francisco, CA We always have fun in San Francis-co! You need to register early if you want to reserve a hotel room or buy the special events tickets. They are in limited supply!

a better future. What a great exam-ple to follow, not only in our daily lives, but also our Masonic lives. At times, our lives and interactions may seem stale and stuffy with the weight of the world on our shoul-ders, but I encourage you to push through. A better day is coming as a result of the hard work that you… that we complete today! Hope to see you in lodge.

Austin Swank Senior Warden

(Continued from page 1)

In our June Stated Meet-ing dinner, we were privi-leged to have our very own Brother Dick Fisher as our guest speaker. Dick grew up at Alcatraz Island, where his father was employed at the fa-mous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. It was an enlightening presentation about life at “the Rock”, home to many of Ameri-ca’s ruthless criminals like Al Capone, “Doc” Barker, and “Machine Gun” Kelly.

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From the Secretary

Brethren thank you for making this year’s dues collection process effi-cient and effective. Our goal to have no member suspended (NPD) this year was, unfortunately, short by 17 Brothers. As I become more familiar with the brethren’s files in the lodge, it seems to me that as a group, we would be wise to address our deci-sion to request a Masonic Memorial Service, should we desire to have one held when we pass on. Not to be morbid, but as an effort to pre-pare for our final journey, if you have not already requested one, may I suggest you do it now. If you would like one held, please take the time to arrange for it now. We have a form for that! Download it from our lodge web page or call us. We will be honored to send it to you. Please be informed that three of our stated meeting aprons are still miss-ing. Two regular aprons, the other a Past Master apron. It will be nice to have them returned home. Roberto Saucedo Secretary

Box Scores (2018): Initiated: 8 Passed: 5 Raised: 4 Affiliations: 5 Restorations: 1 Total Gains: 14

Withdrawals: 2 Deaths: 7 Suspensions: 0 Total Losses: 9

Total Membership: 496 EA: 41 FC: 11 MM: 444 Dues Owed (2018): 68 EA: 20 FC: 4 MM: 44 Dues Owed (2017): 24 EA: 8 FC: 1 MM: 15 Dues Owed (2016): 1 EA: 0 FC: 0 MM: 1

Casual Attire for July In honor of our Independence Day this month, please wear your best “Patriotic Casual Attire”… red, white, and blue all the way!

Applicants’ Interview Dinner Our July Applicants’ Interview Dinner will be on July 16th at 6:00 PM. The cost of the dinner is $15.00 per person. We will be hav-ing Salisbury Steak and Lemon Herbed Chicken as entrees and Apple Pie a la mode with Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert. In addition, we will have Ambrosia Salad and Peas & Carrots for vegetables. Please call our secretary’s office for reservations by July 11th. In addition, a First Degree Confer-ral is scheduled after the dinner. Please attend this initiation of a new brother into our ranks.

Save the Dates Here are some upcoming events that our lodge members participate and enjoy. Please note them in your calendars. Aug 3 Stated Meeting Aug 11 2nd Annual Christian Engstrom Memorial Masonathon: An Experience in Ritual Excellence! Aug16 Third Thursday — Salsa Concert at the Balboa Park Organ Pavilion Aug 31 Gem Faire — Lodge is dark

Third Thursday The Third Thursday get-together for the month of July will be held at Luna Grill in Clairemont…. 4175 Genesee Avenue #100 It will be on Thursday, July 19th, from 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM.

Friends and families are always welcome to this casual gathering. Please note that drinks and meals are not covered by San Diego Lodge #35. If you’re interested in going but need transportation to and from the event, call the lodge and we will arrange a carpool for you. See you there!

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MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Dewey Elementary Fund Raiser At our Stated Meeting Dinners, mason jars are normally placed on each table so that members and guests can fill it up with their donations to the Dewey Elementary School. At our June Stated Meeting Dinner, a contest was held between the Master, Senior Warden, and Senior Deacon on who can collect the most donations using their respec-tive mason jars. The winner gets to have a pie in the face. With this in mind, members and friends (or so-called friends) started putting in money in these three mason jars! Guess who won? Dewey Elementary did!

Masonic Funerals: Many a member has expressed interest in having his lodge perform a Masonic funeral upon his death. This is your right as a Mason. A Masonic funeral is held at the request of a departed brother or his family. The service may be held in a chapel, home, church, synagogue or lodge room with committal at graveside, or the complete service can be performed at any of the aforementioned places without a separate committal. However, you should make your wishes known to your immediate family and/or your lodge secretary. The Masonic service may be held in conjunction with a religious service and/or other fraternal service. It is highly recommended that you: (1) put your wishes in writing, (2) give a copy to the person who will handle your affairs, and (3) place another copy with your will, insurance papers and other valuable documents so that your survivors can clearly comply with your expressed wishes. Our secretary can help you with this planning so please call our secretary now. — Taken from an article written by Felix A. Colon, PM, Glendale Lodge #368

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