After the meal, dignitaries and guests were recognized by Brother Clyde Collins, and honored ladies were intro-duced by Brother Bob Cohen. Honored ladies present in-cluded Mrs. Charlotte Rog-ers, Jeanette Hennigan and Elizabeth Moan. We then recognized brethren who were raised to the sub-lime degree this past year as well as some of our younger brothers in attendance fol-lowed by those Brothers who have served the lodge for many years. Those recognized are listed by their individual length of ser-vice to Masonry. Masonic Service Awards: Sixty Five Years

Robert L. Nichols

Sixty Years

Homer B. Adams

50 Years

Laurence H. Potts, Jr.

Charles Hanning (Continued on page 2)

2012 marked a special year for Sul Ross Lodge as we cele-brated our 65th Anniversary at our Annual Homecoming Banquet on the top floor of Rudder Tower on the campus of Texas A&M University on December 14, 2012. As we reflected upon the past year, we took time to recog-nize the achievements of our brethren, the achievements of our lodge, and to enjoy the fellowship of our friends and brothers. The evening began at 6:00 p.m. with a reception that allowed guests to mingle, get their picture taken by Timeless Portraits, and occasionally visit

the silent auction table. The $300 proceeds from the silent auction went toward the La-mar Scholarship fund that we give out each year to a deserv-ing student graduating from A&M Consolidated High School. This was the second year we offered the silent auction and while we did not raise as much money as last year, thanks to those people who participated and purchased items. Brother Senior Warden Josh Reinbolt welcomed everyone to the evening and the invoca-tion was provided by Brother Scott Atkinson.

ANNUAL HOMECOMING BANQUET HELD 12/14/12

SUL ROSS MASONIC LODGE NO. 1300

A.F. & A.M. COLLEE STATION,

TEXAS CHARTERED 1947

WINTER 2013 Volume 31, Issue 3

Sul Ross Lodge News

Special points of interest:

Homecoming Banquet

Dispatches from the Front

Sul Ross Lodge History

Past Master Portrait

Inside this issue:

Order of the Ever-green

2

From the East 3

R:. W:. Rusty Far-quhar

3

Dispatches from the Front

4

Sul Ross Lodge History

5-7

Birthdays and Ma-sonic Anniver-saries

9-10

From the West / From the South

11

Calendar of Events 12

Gilchrist Heritage 13

From the South 14

Vanguard Award 4

Past Master Print 8

The newest Master Masons of Sul Ross Lodge were each recog-nized and presented their own MM Certificate signed by Grand Master Brumit. (Back Row L-R) SW Josh Reinbolt, PM Bobby Roggenbuck, JW Justin Meyer, Nathan Teinert, Michael Ho-jnacki, Hamzah Barlas, Michael Yancy, WM Chance Robinson (Front Row L-R) Omid Rahmani, Zach Wooldridge, Decebal Marin, Sam Balch & Grant Gibson.

Page 2 Volume 31, Issue 3

The design of the jewel for the Order of the Evergreen was conceived from the armorial crest of the Scottish Clan, Ross. This ancient family records our namesake, Governor Lawrence Sullivan Ross, as a direct de-scendant and from whom we inherit a great tradition. The name “Ross” is descriptive of a topographic feature and de-notes “the brow of the hill.” Original design of the jewel depicts a sprig of evergreen in a hand held aloft. This design is of special Masonic significance. The evergreen is symbolic of the continued long life given the fraternity by the labors of this honored brother. Emblematic of the ancient craft of Free-

masonry that, like the ever-green, is a “plant of very deep root.” Our Latin motto around the jewel is “Spem Successus Alit” which means “Success Nour-ishes Hope.” This is a meaning that is particularly significant in these times of new Masonic suc-cess and provides one a rekindled hope for the future of our frater-nity. Past Recipients 1984 John W. Huff 1985 Clifford H. Ransdell 1986 P. G. Normand, Jr. 1987 Nicholas A. Combs 1988 John D. Williams 1989 Donald F. Simmons 1990 Guy L. Moody 1991 W. Keith Henry

1992 Joseph W. Peterson 1993 Joe H. Barnes 1994 Clyde E. Collins 1995 Michael L. Epps 1996 Joe P. Barnes 1997 Jason M. Mandl 1998 Alfred J. Lehtonen 1999 Robert E. Epps 2000 Roy I. Smith, Jr. 2001 David R. Walker 2002 Garen K. Evans 2003 Henry P. O’Neal 2004 Robert S. Cohen 2005 Edward Staples, Jr. 2006 Roy I. Smith, Jr. 2007 Charles T. Payne II 2008 Michael D. Gerst 2009 Seth D. Hudson 2010 Russell R. Farquhar 2011 Robert R. Roggenbuck, Jr.

THE ORDER OF THE EVERGREEN

Bro. Bobby Roggenbuck, PM presenting the Order of the Ever-green to WM Robinson for his dedicated service during the past year.

(Continued from page 1) Brethren, thank you for your dedi-cated service to the fraternity in years past, today and your service yet to be recognized in the future. One of the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Brother Pete Normand, PM and currently Librarian as he provid-ed a brief history of Freemasonry at Texas A&M and of Sul Ross Lodge #1300. You can read his presentation on pages 5-7.

Bro. John W. Huff (9/23/27—11/9/06) received the Order of the Evergreen in 1984. He was a Past Master and served as sec-retary for almost 20 years.

The evening concluded with the presen-tation of the Order of the Evergreen by Past Master, Bobby Roggenbuck. Broth-er Roggenbuck bestowed the honor upon our Worshipful Master, and out-lined all the support throughout the year that Brother Robinson provided to him as Master last year.

Above—(L-R) PM Tom Freeman, PM Bobby Roggenbuck and PM Tom Payne pose for a picture at the Homecoming Banquet. Left—((L-R) Brothers Faifman & Rah-mani pose for a picture before heading to the buffet line. Brother Rahmani instructed Brother Faifman in his memory work.

HOMECOMING BANQUET CONT’D

Right——(L-R) PM Pete Normand, WM Chance Robinson, SW Josh Rein-bolt, PM Richard Tonda & JW Justin Meyer visit before the start of the program.

Page 3 Sul Ross

Brethren: In reflecting back upon the past several months, I felt it suitable that I should relay a recent story from a called meeting of the Lodge. Recently following a degree conferral, a brother pointed out the uniqueness of the events that had transpired that evening. As Masons these events were not unique, rather they were some-thing we consider commonplace and quite possibly expected, and yet in our world today this evening was quite unique. Allow me to explain. The candidate that evening, a senior at Texas A&M University was nearing graduation. The degree team consisted entirely of members of Sul Ross Lodge. Many of the participants in the degree had been a Mason for less than one year, includ-ing the Senior Deacon who led this candidate for Masonry through the forms and ceremonies of initiation. All were well versed in their respective part, despite any lacking in time spent in the quarries these men performed their duties well and provided a most memorable Entered Apprentice De-gree for all in attendance and more especially a great experience for the initiate. Everything I have listed thus far is commonplace in Sul Ross Lodge.

FROM THE EAST

BY BROTHER CHANCE M. ROBINSON, MASTER

Degree work is accomplished with a high standard placed on the quality of the work while each and every week brethren are learning new parts and participating in degree work within months of their initiation. So what made this evening unique? The answer is Freemasonry. So what made this evening commonplace? The answer is also Freemasonry. This candidate for the mysteries hap-pens to be Jewish, the Senior Deacon whom he entrusted to his care through-out the degree is a practicing Muslim, and the Worshipful Master and many other degree participants are Christians. Please forgive me for this discussion of religion within the confines of my mes-sage, but I believe this story is one that should be told. As Masons we regard each other as Brothers, as family, regardless of our material wealth, skin color, political lean-ings, or religious beliefs. We all profess our belief in deity and in the immortality of the soul, but as an institution we adopt no particular creed, we forbid all sectarian discussions from our Lodgerooms, but urge each Brother to be steadfast in the faith of his profession. Yet in a world where these outward appearances and beliefs lead to polariz-ing arguments, hatred, and even murder and war the Masonic principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brother-hood of man is not only unique it is

revolutionary, and yet in Masonry this sentiment, this principle is simply common place. For over a thousand years in locales the world over thousands upon thousands of Jews, Christians, and Muslims have died in the name of religion and here we find in our Lodge in College Station, Texas men whom under any oth-er circumstance would be at a perpetual distance taking each other by the hand and calling the other brother in the truest since of the word. This, my brethren is Freemasonry and this is found in Lodges across the globe. Brother Brad Paisley recently stated it best, "The main thing Masonry can do is to continue to teach tolerance, especially in a day and age when we have people killing each other over religion." In clos-ing brethren what is the answer? Freema-sonry is the answer. "Finally, brethren, be ye all of one mind; live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with and bless you." Fraternal regards,

Chance Robinson Master, Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300

BROTHER RUSTY FARQUHAR TO SERVE AS DDGM

Right Worshipful Brother Russell R. Farquhar was duly installed as Dis-tric Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic District Number 29B of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas at the Grand Lodge Tem-ple on Saturday, December 8, 2012. He will be representing M:. W:. Walter W. Rogers, Grand Master of Masons in Texas to the lodges of the 29th district. Brother Farquhar

is a Past Master of Groves 1315 in Groves, TX, and an active member of Sul Ross Lodge where he serves wherever is needed including teaching numerous masons their memory work and volunteering to open the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum on Thursday afternoons. Brother Far-quhar will join the many other mem-bers of Sul Ross Lodge who have served the 29th District over the past 65 years.

R:. W:. Farquhar standing outside the Grand Lodge Temple after being installed as DDGM.

We realize that each of you offer this service without any thought of recognition or thanks, but we are truly grateful for your service. Therefore, my brothers please keep all of our service men and women in your prayers when on bended knee and let us not forget to thank them for their service and sacrifice. If you are or know of a Sul Ross member currently serv-ing in the military please pro-vide a report for future newsletters. You may send a message to Brother Roy Smith at smithro@alpha1.net or Brother Josh Reinbolt at jrein-bolt99@aggienetwork.com.

DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT... “… we thank

you individually

who are listed

and all of you

collectively for

your service.”

Page 4 Sul Ross

A list of some of the Sul Ross Lodge members serving in the military is provided in Dispatches From the Front.

Air Force Lt. Col. John (JB) Baquet, is in Afghani-stan as an Expeditionary Group Commander in charge of logistics and aircraft maintenance for a special operations unit. Upon completion of his current assignment it appears he will remain in special operations and move to Hurlburt Field, FL, as a Deputy Group Commander.

Marine lst Lt. Tyler Boykin is the Communications Platoon OIC for the Ma-rine Air Control Squad-ron 4, lst Marine Aircraft Wing, MCAS, Futenma, Okinawa. He supports the squadron with analog and digital telephony, se-cure and non-secure digi-tal services, as well as single channel radio capa-bilities.

Navy Lt jg Josh Morris is the Navigator on the USS

Where are they serving?

HALSEY (DDG 97) out of San Diego, CA. He de-ployed in 2010-2011 to the Persian Gulf and then again from 2011-2012 to the Horn of Africa for a counter-piracy mission.

Army Capt Joseph D’Ago-stino, after returning from a deployment to Afghani-stan, attended the U.S. Army Engineer Captain’s Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Upon completion, he was assigned to Web-ster College, MO, to com-plete his Master’s De-gree. Upon completion he will return to Ft. Hood, TX, and assume command of an engineer company in late 2013 or early 2014.

Air Force Captain Mark Howard just completed a yearlong deployment to Korea and is currently the Operations Officer for the 802 Security Forces Squadron at Lackland AFB, TX. He anticipates his next assignment will be to the middle east.

Marine 2Lt Morgan Salonek is a Marine Reservist living in San Antonio, TX, and drill-ing out of Fort Worth NAS JRB, with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 41. In January 2013, he embarks for Quantico, VA, to sit on a board to promote our enlist-ed for a few months, then he will head to Japan for a year-long deployment working with F-18’s. He looks forward to promotion to 1st Lt in March 2013.

Lt Col Gary Beaty is Chief of Plans, 36th Infantry Division, Tex-as Army National Guard, located at Camp Mabry, TX.

Pictured on the le is WM Robinson wai ng to receive the Vanguard award during the 2012 Grand Communica on. Sul Ross Lodge was one of 66 Lodges that received the Vanguard Lodge designa on. On the right, is a copy of the Vanguard Cer fi-cate. Thanks to every-one who helped make this possible.

VANGUARD AWARD

Page 5 Sul Ross

A Brief History of Freemasonry at Texas A&M and of

Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 P. G. ‘Pete’ Normand, Jr., Past Master & Librarian Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300, College Station, Texas

(Presented on the occasion of the Lodge’s 65th Anniversary - 14 Dec 2012)

I have been asked to provide a brief history of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300. But, no history of the Lodge would be complete without first mentioning some of the early founders of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, and then covering the history of The A&M Masonic Club. There is a great deal of information that can be gleaned from the pages of the several books written about the early history of Texas A&M. For those that are interested, another paper I wrote, “The History of Freemasonry in the Brazos Valley,” for the Historic Preservation Committee of the City of College Station, is preserved on YouTube on the Internet. Another source for information is in the book titled Brazos County History, published for the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. In that book, there is a section on Freemasonry, written in large part by Worshipful Brother Edward Made-ley, who was the seventh Worshipful Master of the Lodge, serving in that office during the 1953-1954 Masonic year. EARLY MASONS AT TEXAS A&M: Some of the familiar names to be found on the Texas A&M campus during its early years are those of men like Thomas S. Gathright, the first president of the A&M College. Gathright had been recommended for that post by Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederacy. Gath-right had operated a school for boys in Mississippi, and was a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missis-sippi. Only six months after the Col-lege opened its doors, President Gathright and other faculty members began crossing out the name of “Bryan” on the College letterheads, and entering the words “College Sta-tion.”

Another familiar name is that of Ber-nard Sbisa, the first Steward of the Col-lege, who served in that capacity for forty-nine years. Like many other mem-bers of the faculty and staff, Sbisa was a member of Brazos Union Lodge No. 129 in Bryan. After the old mess hall burned on 11 November 1911, a new dining hall was constructed and named in his honor. A Masonic cornerstone for that building was set in place and leveled by the Grand Lodge of Texas on 26 May 1913. The second campus mess hall, which was built to serve “the new dorms,” as the World War II gen-eration called them, was named for W. A. Duncan, Director of Subsistence, who also served as Director of the Aggieland Inn, the on-campus hotel facility that was the predecessor of the Memorial Student Center. He was also a member of the lodge in Bryan. Another name that many will recognize is that of Professor E. J. Kyle, a member of the Class of 1899, a professor of horticulture, and president of the Gen-eral Athletic Association. Professor Kyle’s vegetable garden was later uti-lized as an athletic field for football, and it still is. At one time, Masons could boast that five athletic venues on the campus – Kyle Field, G. Rollie White Coliseum (named for G. Raleigh White, Class of 1895, a member of Brady Lodge No. 628), Deware Field House (named for Aggie athlete Charlie Deware, Class of 1909, a member of Graham Lodge No. 20 in Brenham), the Frank Anderson Track (named for Track Coach Frank Anderson, a mem-ber of Bolton Lodge No. 326 in Missis-sippi, and of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300), and Pat Olsen Field (named for baseball player C.E. Pat Olsen ’23) – were all named for members of the Masonic fraternity. Kyle and Olsen were both members of Brazos Union Lodge No. 129 in Bryan.

Five statues on the Texas A&M cam-pus were erected in memory of men who were Masons: Governor Law-rence Sullivan Ross and Major Gen-eral James Earl Rudder ‘32 (both pres-idents of the college), Lieutenant General James F. Hollingsworth ’40 (military hero), E. King Gill ’24 (the original “Twelfth Man”), and Robert J. Kleberg Jr (manager of the King Ranch). Governor Ross was a mem-ber of Waco Lodge No. 92, Rudder was a member of Parsons Lodge No. 222 in Austin, Hollingsworth was a member of Union Lodge No. 7 at Junction City, Kansas, Gill became a member of Oak Cliff Lodge No. 705, and Kleberg, whose statue is located at the Kleberg Center on the West Campus, was a member of Chamber-lain Lodge No. 913 at Kingsville. I could go on with many more familiar names of well-known Masons in the history of Texas A&M, whose names appear on campus buildings and streets, but I will save that for a long-er presentation. THE TEXAS A&M MASONIC CLUB: During the 1920-1921 aca-demic year, there were quite a few returning veterans of the First World War who were Masons and enrolled as students at the A&M College. The

The Statue of Lawrence Sullivan Ross in front of the Academic build-ing on Texas A&M University’s campus.

Page 6 Sul Ross

A Brief History of Freemasonry at Texas A&M and of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 cont’d

1921 Longhorn, which was the name of the Aggie yearbook in those days, includes a group picture of The Ma-sonic Club, in which there appear sixty-one members including faculty, staff and students. The 1921 yearbook identifies nine seniors as Masons, sev-en of whom were also Ross Volun-teers. The following year, eighteen seniors were identified as Masons. A composite photo or a group photo of the members of The Masonic Club became a regular feature in the Aggie yearbook each year up through 1933. But, as the numbers of older students dwindled, and as the Great Depres-sion took its toll on the number of Masons among the student body, membership in The Masonic Club dwindled, and the Club became dormant at some point during the mid- to late-1930s. However, during the years of its ex-istence, The Masonic Club had built a respectable library of Masonic books, as well as a sizeable building fund, and the Club had even purchased a half acre lot at North Gate for the future erection of a Masonic lodge building. After the Club became dormant, the records, archives, books, and other assets of the Club were carefully maintained and preserved by former members of the Club among the Col-lege faculty and staff. In 1941, the Grand Lodge of Texas ruled that Masonic Clubs were incom-patible with Masonic Law, and so, on December 18th of that year, only eleven days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the membership of the Texas A&M Masonic Club was reactivated for the purpose of dis-pensing with the Club assets and clos-ing the Club. Nine members of the Club, nearly all of them members of the faculty and staff, met in the Lec-ture Room of the Chemistry Building. W. A. Duncan presided, and new

officers of the Club were elected. This was necessary to have duly elected offic-ers who could oversee the final place-ment of the Club’s funds and other as-sets. Brother Harry L. Boyer, a member of the Class of ’31, was elected the last president of the Club. He didn’t know it then, but he would later become the first Junior Warden, and third Worshipful Master, of Sul Ross Lodge. The nine members of the Club present that night, voted to sell the half-acre lot at North Gate to the Methodist Church for $10,000 cash, and the property is now home to A&M United Methodist Church. Although this meeting, held dur-ing the early days of World War II, marked the end of The A&M Masonic Club, the Club is commemorated today by the survival of Lodge Street in College Station, which parallels College Main, just one block to the East, and runs between University Drive and Church Street. SUL ROSS LODGE: After the Second World War, in the Fall of 1946, the Col-lege President, Gibb Gilchrist, met with Harry Boyer, Joe Woolket, and Howard Badgett, to begin planning for a Masonic lodge on the campus of the A&M Col-lege. The new lodge would be named for Governor Lawrence Sullivan ‘Sul’ Ross, the third president of the College, whose statue had stood at the center of the campus since 1918. No other president of the College had commanded the love, respect, and admiration of the student body, the way that Governor Ross had. And so, almost fifty years after his death, he was still the obvious choice to be commemorated in the naming of a lodge on the Texas A&M campus. Six months later, in a ceremony held in Sbisa Dining Hall in May of 1947, the Grand Master of Masons in Texas in-stalled College President Gibb Gilchrist as Worshipful Master. Brother Gilchrist, originally a member of Tucker Lodge No. 297 at Galveston, had served as head of the Texas Highway Department before becoming Dean of the School of Engi-neering at Texas A&M, and later the President of the College. He later be-came the first Chancellor of the Texas A&M System. His desk and matching conference table, created for him during his tenure as head of the Texas Highway

Department, were donated by the Gilchrist family to the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum, and they are on display in the library room. Joseph J. Woolket, a professor of mod-ern languages who is best known as the founder of the Singing Cadets, was installed as the Lodge’s first Senior Warden. He later served as Secretary of the Lodge, being elected for nine-teen consecutive terms - from 1957 until his death in 1975 -longer than any other Secretary of the Lodge since. Brother Woolket became “the face of Sul Ross Lodge” to many Texas A&M graduates scattered around the state, nation, and the world, who had re-ceived their degrees or learned their Masonic work at Sul Ross Lodge. Woolket, a native of England, who im-migrated to the U.S. at the age of four-teen, was known as “Chico” to his many friends because of his command of the Spanish language. Woolket even served as Grand Secretary pro-tem for a brief period during the early 1950s. Harry L. Boyer ’31, professor of ento-mology, and the last president of the old Texas A&M Masonic Club, was installed as the Lodge’s first Junior Warden. All the Deans and almost all the De-partment Heads were charter mem-bers of the new lodge. After working for over six months as a lodge “under dispensation” from the Grand Master, Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 was granted a charter in December 1947. President Gilchrist served as Worshipful Master of the new lodge through the summer of 1948, and less than six months later was elected Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Texas. He pro-gressed through the Grand Lodge line during the next few years, and was installed as Grand Master in December 1951. Unless I am mistaken, that is the shortest time on record between the offices of Worshipful Master and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas. To date, he is the only Brazos County Mason to have held that office. The new Lodge occupied the top floor of the old American Legion Hall on the south side of the campus, just west of the intersection of Houston Street and

Page 7 Sul Ross

Jersey Street (now George Bush Drive), becoming the first lodge in Texas to be established on a college campus. The ceiling in the attic lodgeroom was so low that the Master’s station, which Masonic tradition requires to be raised on three steps, was constructed out of three half-inch sheets of plywood – three short steps, to be sure, but three steps nevertheless. Worshipful Master Gilchrist, a man of good stature to begin with, found that he could not wear his hat while standing at his sta-tion in the East. So, a hole was con-structed in the ceiling over the Master’s station to accommodate Brother Gilchrist’s hat when he stood at his station in the East. One of the features of that lodgeroom that cannot be overlooked are the bookshelves, which are shown in the architectural model of the building on display in our present building. The collection of Masonic books belonging to the old A&M Masonic Club, which had been carefully preserved since the mid-1930s, became an important fea-ture of the new lodgeroom. Sul Ross

Lodge has always been a lodge with members that read. And the Lodge, like its predecessor, the Texas A&M Masonic Club, has always had a library. After a few short years in its campus location, the Lodge purchased the Dan Russell Building across the street at 312 Jersey in the South Gate Shopping Center, where it remained for almost 50 years. BRAZOS VALLEY MASONIC LIBRARY & MUSEUM: In 1971, as construction progressed on a new Highway 6 bypass around the east side of town, College Station Mayor David A. ‘Andy’ Anderson, a member of Sul Ross Lodge, wrote a letter to Dr. Cliff H. Ransdell, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, and Worship-ful Master of the Lodge that year, urg-ing him to consider a new and larger facility for Sul Ross Lodge. That dream slowly started to become a reality during Masonic year 1983-1984, when members of the Lodge created the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Muse-um Association, a non-profit entity formed for the purpose of raising money, building and operating a Ma-sonic library and museum in College Station. Subsequent to that, local real estate developer Brother William D. ‘Bill’ Fitch, another longtime member of Sul Ross Lodge, presented a deed for a two-acre tract of land to Dr. Ransdell, who accepted the Deed on behalf of the newly created Brazos Valley Ma-sonic Library & Museum Association.

By the time of his retirement in the mid-1990s, Broth-er Bill Fitch, Texas A&M Class of 1942, had devel-oped close to one-third of the city of College Station, excluding the Tex-as A&M campus.

In 1999, after a prolonged fund-raising drive, members of the Lodge were surprised by a sizeable bequest left to the Masonic Library & Museum Associ-ation by Past Master Ed Madeley. Dur-ing his life, Madeley had been a phar-macist and drugstore owner, and for many years, Madeley’s Drug Store at South Gate had shared the parking lot with the lodge building on Jersey Street (now George Bush Drive). With the sizeable gifts made by Broth-ers Fitch and Madeley, and the financial support of Sul Ross Lodge and its many members, as well as donations from other Masons in the Brazos Valley, the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Muse-um became a reality and the third per-manent home of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300. CONCLUSION: Over the past 136 years, Texas A&M University has carved out a unique place in the state of Texas, and around it has grown a truly unique university community, and for most of us here tonight it has be-come our home. Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 has been a part of that communi-ty, from the small college community of yesterday, to the greater community of the Brazos Valley today. Over its sixty-five year history, Sul Ross Lodge has produced hundreds of Master Ma-sons – some soldiers, a few statesmen, but all knightly gentlemen – who, with-in our lodge halls, have become better men and learned to deal with their fellow men “on the level,” to act up-rightly “by the plumb,” so that they can always part “on the square.” So may we ever meet, act and part

The Dan Russell Building at 312 Jersey Street on Southgate, home of Sul Ross Lodge from 1951-2000.

A Brief History of Freemasonry at Texas A&M and of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 cont’d

The Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum on Longmire in College Station.

Page 8 Sul Ross

PAST MASTER PRINT UNVEILED AT HOMECOMING BANQUET ON 12/14/2012

Sul Ross Lodge is sell-ing 10 x 14 copies of the Past Master print for $20. The proceeds will go toward our scholar-ship fund. If you are inter-ested in pur-chasing a copy please contact Brother Mi-chael Ho-jnacki at Mi-chael.hojnacki@gmail.com or 512-496-6835 or Brother Josh Reinbolt at jrein-bolt99@aggienetwork.com or 979-255-1253.

UPCOMING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Page 9 Sul Ross

Lawrence Sullivan Ross—1838-1898 Sol-dier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman, Brig. General C.S.A., Governor of Texas, President of AMC

FEBRUARY

2 James R. Eby 12 Alfred E. Cullins, Jr. 22 Ralph E. Ohland

3 Alan T. Cooper 17 Bill J. Ravey 23 Joseph R. D’Agostino, Jr.

3 Charles L. Robertson, Jr. 18 David L. Slanker 26 Tyler W. Berry

7 Frank M. Langley 18 Henry M. Sorrels 26 Jim G. Williams

8 Justin M. Meyer 20 Carlos M. Chang-Albitres 28 Robert L. Edgecomb

11 Philip A. Rumford 20 Weldon D. Nanson 28 Jeremiah M. Nance III

MARCH

1 John H. Cochrane, Jr. 8 Kenneth F. Keller 20 David C. Berry

1 Lynn P. Pittard 8 Joe E. West 20 Bobby J. Ragsdale

2 Thomas W. Pool 8 John D. Williams 23 Joshua L. Morris

3 James M. Wilks 10 Benjamin C. Baskin 24 Aaron D. Palermo

4 Michael A. Decuir 10 Karl A. Leifeste 24 Matthew S. Parmerlee

4 Jim A. Rakestraw, Jr. 13 William R. Boswell 25 Michael N. Ross

4 James F. Slowey III 17 Joe P. Barnes 26 Dan C. Bonds

5 Joe G. Fagan 17 Robert J. Blum 26 William A. Haile

5 Roger A. Powell 17 Bruce R. Leggett, Jr. 29 Zoltan Mester, Jr.

6 William P. Harper 18 Arturo C. Martinez 29 Timothy L. Pickerill

8 Garen K. Evans 19 James P. Worley 31 Michael C. Yancey

APRIL

1 John J. Hammonds 12 Richard Tonda 19 Christopher S. Taylor

3 Erven Rovinsky 14 Zachry T. Wooldridge 25 Joshua T. Flye

4 Clyde E. Collins 15 James R. Snell 26 Jonny Ingram

7 David J. Skinner 18 Arnold R. Langston 29 Gary D. Simmons

MASTER MASON ANNIVERSARIES

Page 10 Volume 31, Issue 3

FEBRUARY

1 Joe E. West (1955) 13 Donald F. Simons (1954) 25 John A. Branch (1991)

4 Joe G. Fagan (1965) 16 Morgan S. Salonek (2009) 25 David R. Walker (1997)

4 Michael C. Perkins (2008) 19 George E. Miles, Jr. (2000) 26 David J. Skinner (1976)

9 Giles C. Berry, Jr. (1999) 19 C. Thomas Payne II (2005) 28 Robert B. Sanders (1967)

9 David C. Berry (1999) 21 Karl A. Leifeste (2005) 28 Joe P. Barnes (1990)

10 Charles A. McLaran (1959) 21 Hugh L. Carnahan (2011) 28 Omid Rahmani (2012)

12 Robert L. Nichols (1948) 23 Raymond E. Burt, Jr. (1967)

12 David C. Bryan (1968) 24 Don K. Lyons (1966)

MARCH

1 Robert A. Garner, Jr. (1990) 11 Kenneth B. Fischer (1971) 21 Roger A. Fuller (1984)

1 Richard H. Bonds (1998) 15 Louis S. Koronka (1989) 23 Bruce R. Leggett, Jr. (2009)

1 Ashton T. Brown (2010) 15 Gavan D. Tinsley (2002) 24 Michael W. Smith (1969)

3 Randy A. Mena (2005) 15 Michael J. Sconzo (2004) 24 Thomas D. Halling (2003)

6 Owen D. West (2000) 17 Kurt R. Thormahlen (2003) 26 Gary L. Beaty (2012)

9 Thomas J. Freeman (1996) 18 Sam H. Neuman (1975) 29 Chance M. Robinson (2007)

9 Eddy E. Yuja (2010) 18 Matthew A. Beyers (2002) 29 K. Chance Schrutka (2010)

10 Joshua T. Flye (2004) 19 Nathan L. Teinert (2012) 31 John J. Hammonds (1949)

APRIL

5 John H. Cochrane, Jr. (1949) 21 A. Dale Felps (1966) 27 James R. Scoggins (1971)

7 Robert A. Lacey (1966) 22 John B. Vittrup (1953) 28 Elmer E. Staples, Jr. (1983)

13 Welsey N. McShan, Jr. (1988) 23 Zoltan Mester, Jr. (1974) 28 Tyler L. Boykin (2008)

13 M. Scott Lassiter (2010) 23 Gary L. Moore (1986) 29 Wesley A. Vanrite (2003)

16 Henry P. O’Neal (1956) 23 Erik R. Gebhardt (2007) 30 Nils E. Kjell (1980)

20 Eugene R. Molina (2009) 27 Michael C. Robinson (1967) 30 Robert R. Roggenbuck, Jr. (2007)

5 Decebal A. Marin (2012) 16 Francis J. Axline (2009) 25 Russell R. Farquhar (1974)

5 Christopher S. Taylor (2007) 16 John D. Smith, Jr. (1998) 25 Arnold L. Andrews (1952)

17 Doyle W. Morse, Jr. (1990) 26 James B. Pruden (2010) 30 John T. Drennan (1992)

The compasses and the quadrant, the emblem of a Past Master.

Stained glass depiction of our Ancient Grand Master drawing his designs upon the trestleboard.

Brethren, As I write this message we are almost one month into 2013 and I would be remiss if I did not wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year! One half of the masonic year is now behind us. Sul Ross Lodge has had a great year thus far, but there is much ahead of us. Please be sure to look at the calendar of events in this newsletter or at the end of all email notices that are sent out to stay updated on all of our activities. As always, it is great to see growth in our fraternity. We started the new year by raising

two brothers to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in January and I look forward to raising more brothers in the remaining six months of the masonic year. There are many opportunities and needs that local brothers might be able to contribute their time and efforts in the coming months. One particu-lar night that we could use help is on Monday, February 25, at 6:00 p.m. at the BVMLM. Sul Ross Lodge will be joined by members of Adam Royder and St. Alban’s Lodges to assemble kits for a little over 900 first grade students in CISD. These kits will contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, and other dental hygiene items along with in-structions on proper teeth care. This is the second year that the lodges within CISD have participated in the Fan-tastic Teeth Club and it is a worthwhile program that we should all be proud to partici-pate in. Pizza will be provid-ed to those who help out on the 25th. We are also in need of volunteers to help

present the kits and the dates will be announced on the 25th. Another possible area that we could use help is mentoring and teaching new brethren. This is where you can leave a lasting impression on men as they embark on their masonic journey. In addition to my role as Sen-ior Warden, I am also the degree master. Our lodge is a busy lodge but the good news is we are going to have some practice nights coming up in the next few weeks. We would love to have you help out in whatever way you are comfortable. Even if you don’t know a particular role we are happy to help teach you the part especially at one of the upcoming practice nights. Please consider joining us on these evenings. Finally, I hope you will join us on January 29 for Family Fun Night. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a casual time together with family and friends. And don’t forget to bring your favorite game.

Junior Warden. It has been a fantas-tic journey through leadership in Freemasonry, and been extremely exciting to see our fraternity from a new perspective. Throughout this year we will contin-ue to do what we do best at Sul Ross by extending our hands in friendship and brotherhood and welcoming masons everywhere in fellowship.

Brethren, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my warm greeting as we enter this New Year. 2013 is going to be another fantastic year for Sul Ross Lodge and I expect to see con-tinued great things coming from our brotherhood. Over the last half of 2012 I have had the great pleasure to serve as your

FROM THE WEST BY BROTHER JOSHUA W. REINBOLT

FROM THE SOUTH BY BROTHER JUSTIN M. MEYER

Page 11 Sul Ross

Brethren, thank you for allowing me to share this message with you and for the opportunity to serve Sul Ross Lodge. I am proud to have served this lodge the past few years and I look forward to continued service in the coming years in whatever capacity I may offer. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at 979-255-1253 or jrein-bolt99@aggienetwork.com. Sincerely & Fraternally,

Josh Reinbolt Senior Warden, Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300

…the Plumb admon-ishes us to walk up-rightly in our several stations before God and man…

(continued on page 14)

The 177th Annual Communication

well under way on December 7, 2012.

Page 12 Volume 31, Issue 3

FEBRUARY 2013

11 Mon. Stated Communication (Sweetheart Dinner) BVMLM 5:30 p.m. College Station

18 Mon. MM Proficiency BVMLM 6:30 p.m. College Station

25 Mon. MCFS Fantastic Teeth Launch Party BVMLM 6:00 p.m. College Station

26 Tue. Collegium Latomorum BVMLM 7:00 p.m. College Station

MARCH 2013

2 Sat. Texas Independence Day

4-8 Texas Public Schools Week BVMLM 6:30 p.m. College Station

11 Mon. Stated Communication BVMLM 5:30 p.m. College Station

26 Tue.. Collegium Latomorum BVMLM 7:00 p.m. College Station

APRIL 2013

8 Mon. Stated Communication BVMLM 5:30 p.m. College Station

17 Wed. District 29 MWSA Cedar Creek 6:30 p.m. Kurtain

23 Tue. Collegium Latomorum BVMLM 7:00 p.m. College Station

30 Tue. Family Fun Night BVMLM 6:30p.m. College Station

MAY 2013

4 Sat. Grand Master Conference & Outdoor Degree Kurtain 9:00 a.m. Kurtain

13 Mon. Stated Communication BVMLM 5:30 p.m. College Station

28 Tue. Collegium Latomorum BVMLM 7:00 p.m. College Station

LOCAL CALENDAR OF MASONIC EVENTS

NOTICE

Sweetheart Banquet will take place on

February 11

Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300 meets every Monday evening for a communication or practice. Called Communications or Floor School are held every Monday except Stated Com-munication at 6:30 p.m.

At the December stated meeting during our pro-gram, representatives from the Independence Chap-ter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) presented a Flag Certificate jointly recognizing Sul Ross Lodge and the Brazos Valley Masonic Library and Museum for flying a U.S. Flag outside our build-ing. Pictured (L to R): Jim Jones, Vice President and Flag Chairman Independence Chapter SAR; Chance Robinson, Master Sul Ross Lodge; Roy I. Smith, Jr., Chairman BVMLM Board; and Bob Cohen, President Independ-ence Chapter SAR.

SUL ROSS LODGE & BVMLM HONORED

GILCHRIST HERITAGE SOCIETY

Page 13 Volume 31, Issue 3

The Gilchrist Heritage Society recognizes individuals who include a gift to the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum Association in their estate plans. Anyone who submits docu-mentation of his estate gift qualifies for membership, no matter what size the gift. The Gilchrist Heritage Society is named for “Gibb” Gilchrist, the first Master of Sul Ross Masonic Lodge No. 1300, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, and President of Texas A&M University. Gilchrist Heritage Society members are recognized by being included in an Honor Roll pub-lished each year, and by having their names permanently displayed on the Gilchrist Heritage Society Plaque in the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum. THREE STEPS TO MEMBERSHIP Once you decide to make an estate gift to the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum Association, becoming a member of the Gilchrist Heritage Society takes just three simple steps: 1) With the help of your professional advisors, include a gift to the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum

Association in your estate plan. This might include a bequest, a living trust, beneficiary designation of a retirement account or life insurance policy. A gift of any size qualifies you for membership.

2) Send the Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum Association a copy of your will, trust agreement, retire-ment account statement, or insurance policy. If you prefer, you may copy just the relevant part of your will or trust agreement or the cover and beneficiary pages of your retirement account or insurance policy. If you and your spouse both seek membership and have a separate will, please submit copies of both docu-ments. This applies also to trust agreements and other documents.

3) Request a membership form, complete the form, and return it to the Association. We will keep the de-tails of your gift confidential, and you are welcome to decline public recognition.

For more information call (979) 694-3579 or write: Roy I. Smith, Jr.

Chairman, Board of Trustees Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum Association

P.O. Box 10110 College Station, TX 77842

“SPECIAL NOTICE - Roy I. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Brazos Valley Ma-sonic Library & Museum Association (and Past Master of Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300), has requested that we include in our newsletter the following information about the Gilchrist Heritage Society.”

www.sulross.org

Sul Ross Masonic Lodge No. 1300, A.F. & A.M.

PO Box 10110

College Station, Texas 77842

Address Service Requested

Stated Communication Second Monday of every month

Meal at 5:30 p.m. Masonic Program at 6:30 p.m.

Master Masons Lodge at 7:00 p.m.

Called meetings or Floor School every Monday except stated

meeting at 6:30 p.m.

REMINDER Brethren, If you have an email address that is not on file, or if you need to update your email or mailing ad-dress with Sul Ross Lodge please send a message to secretary@sulross.org. Sincerely and Fraternally, Bob Cohen, Secretary

Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum

3411 Longmire Drive College Station, Texas 77845

Mailing Address:

PO Box 10110 College Station, Texas 77842

Phone: 979-680-1300 Email: secretary@sulross.org

Sul Ross Lodge 2012-2013

Elected and Appointed Officers Chance Robinson - Worshipful Master

Josh Reinbolt - Senior Warden Justin Meyer - Junior Warden

Mike Gerst, PM - Treasurer Bob Cohen, PM - Secretary

Caleb Williams - Chaplain Scott Atkinson - Senior Deacon

Tim Pickerill - Junior Deacon Jim Robbins - Senior Steward

Roger Schoppe - Junior Steward Nathan Teinert - Marshal

Omid Rahmani - Master of Ceremonies Pete Normand, PM - Librarian

Ben Baskin - Photographer Adam Helms, PM - Tiler

Bobby Roggenbuck - Immd Past Master Sul Ross Lodge News Josh Reinbolt, Editor

jreinbolt99@aggienetwork.com

SUL ROSS MASONIC LODGE NO. 1300

A.F. & A.M. COLLEGE STATION,

TEXAS CHARTERED 1947

(continued from page 11) I encourage everyone to review their memory work, and more importantly ex-pand upon the knowledge found there. The memory work is the foundation we build our character upon, and that character repre-sents our fraternity to the outside world. Knowledge of the memory work is vital, but understanding of the memory work is the goal. In 2013 it should be a goal of everyone with the capability to strive towards a certificate from the Com-mittee on Work, and if you already have a certificate to work towards a higher level and continue to share your light with others. Sul Ross Lodge was chartered at a great institute of learn-

ing, so let us continue to learn. Our Most Worshipful Grand Master has made it very clear that he wants masonry to leave with us each evening after lodge, and take the light we find there and carry it with us always. The principle ten-ants of Freemasonry should always be with us wherever we find ourselves. Always be mindful of your surroundings and how you represent yourself to the world around you. We are the ambassadors of Freema-sonry in College Station, Brazos County, and Texas. I would close this thought with a collection of verses from Amos, Chapter 7.

Verse 7: “Thus he shewed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand.” Verse 8: “And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou” And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them anymore.” Sincerely & Fraternally,

Justin Meyer

Junior Warden, Sul Ross Lodge No. 1300

Information Wanted: Please send your letters, articles and digital photos to: Josh Reinbolt at jreinbolt99@aggienetwork.com.