Grand Lodges
JD Kukenbaker
that I posted.
The website was created by Paul M. Bessel and was posted on soc.org.freemasonry
on June 6, 2001, under the thread "US Grand Lodges". The website was NOT
created nor maintained by me.
FC Fruge doubted the validity of "over 300 Grand Lodges" existing in the USA.
Well that number came from Brother Mike Wells, Normal #673 AF&AM Illinois,
mgwb...@fgi.net under the same thread on soc.org.freemasonry, dated June 6,
2001.
I am only stating this since FC Fruge doubts the validity of my statements
since he is new and considers me a clandestine Mason.
S & F,
J.D. Kukenbaker
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of North America
MasonTruth
>From: jdkuke...@aol.com (JD Kukenbaker)
>Date: 6/12/01 1:43 AM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <20010612044326...@ng-fz1.aol.com>
Dear Sir,
In defense of our Brother I have not heard of your Grand Lodge nor could I find
it on Brother Bessel's informative site.. I am movong along the thought that
you are not a Mason at all be it Calandestine or otherwise. There is no Grand
Lodge of Freemasons of North America and you Sir are no Grand Master...If I am
wrong please furnish the addres of such Grand Lodge and or web site. Even if by
some far fetched chance that such a place exists it is not Recognized by
Mainstream Masonry and it has no Jurisdiction over any Grand Lodge, Lodge or
Mason other then the few that might be part of their group... At this point I
venture to say that the this would be limitd to 1 member....you..
Sincerely,
MasonTruth
Bro. Manny Blanco (S.W.) Finally
Moreno Valley Lodge # 804
Moreno Valley, CA
"Behold how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity."
SSG Russo
To our misfortune here in Virginia, the Grand Lodge of North America has set up
shop and has proceeded to beguile young men in a straight line from Fort Lee to
Virginia Beach.
They set for themselves a very grueling standard and push their candidates very
hard to learn their ritual and catechisms. In true Freudian analogy they work
their candidate to overcompensate their lack of regularity and work overtime to
prove to themselves they are real masons.
It is a very sad state when one of their numbers thinks they are a Mason and
then goes home or changes duty stations and comes to the realization no one
will communicate with them nor allow them to sit in Lodge.
A very sad state indeed.
I remain your obdeient friend and brother,
Jason C. Russo
JD, Blandford #3, VA 29, A.F. & A.M.
Petersburg Union RA #7
32d, Valley of Richmond, OVA SJ AASR
MasonTruth
>From: ssgr...@aol.comnojunk (SSG Russo)
>Date: 6/12/01 1:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time
>Message-id: <20010612162044...@ng-da1.aol.com>
Dear Brother Jason,
Thanks for the information. I stand corrected. Doesn't sound like it makes much
sense to me. I also find the name deceiving as it gives the impression that
this person is someone of importance in Masonry or in charge of Masonry in
Northern America. While not in all cases generally these knock offs are the
result of someone not wanting to adhere to the Rules and Regulations of Grand
Lodge and running off to start their own. G.L. of Virginia and the P.H. Grand
Lodge of Virginia are two legitimate Masonic Bodies and I can't imagine anyone
needing to go outside these Masonic Jurisdictions to become a Mason...Thanks
again Brother...
Sincerely & Fraternally,
Mike Wells
JD Kukenbaker <jdkuke...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010612044326...@ng-fz1.aol.com...
> I must apologize for not specifying the origin of the Grand Lodge List
website
> that I posted.
Apology accepted. Much more efficient isn't it?
> The website was created by Paul M. Bessel and was posted on
soc.org.freemasonry
> on June 6, 2001, under the thread "US Grand Lodges". The website was NOT
> created nor maintained by me.
>
> FC Fruge doubted the validity of "over 300 Grand Lodges" existing in the
USA.
> Well that number came from Brother Mike Wells, Normal #673 AF&AM Illinois,
> mgwb...@fgi.net under the same thread on soc.org.freemasonry, dated June
6,
> 2001.
Yes, I did write that and I stand by the statement. Unrecognized Grand
Lodges are one of my research interests, which makes me familiar with
International Free and Accepted Modern Masons. Consequently, when I asked
you for information concerning the origin of your Grand Lodge, and the
authority that conferred your 33rd, it was a serious inquiry.
So, I request of you again: "Whence came you?" My email is open.
> I am only stating this since FC Fruge doubts the validity of my statements
> since he is new and considers me a clandestine Mason.
Well, I am neither new nor inexperienced; and I ask for your proof. Below
is your statement. I care not whether you are a
Grand Master, an anti-Mason, or a hydra-headed alien. Support your
contention that Timothy McVeigh was a Mason and a 32nd, especially at the
time of his death. Was McVeigh a member of your Grand Lodge?
"JD Kukenbaker" <jdkuke...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010611082606...@ng-fz1.aol.com...
> I am sadden to inform you that Timothy McVeigh 32*, a 11 year member of
the
> Masonic fraternity was executed my lethal injection, a few moments ago.
Mike Wells
Normal #673 AF&AM Illinois
Collector of old Masonic books
Jim Bennie
> To our misfortune here in Virginia, the Grand Lodge of North America has set up
> shop and has proceeded to beguile young men in a straight line from Fort Lee to
> Virginia Beach.
> They set for themselves a very grueling standard and push their candidates very
> hard to learn their ritual and catechisms. In true Freudian analogy they work
> their candidate to overcompensate their lack of regularity and work overtime to
> prove to themselves they are real masons.
But, Jason, likely you'll have people here who disagree with you. I
keep reading from some people on this newsgroup that if you're a Mason
"in your heart", you're a Mason, and that's all that really matters.
Jim Bennie, IPM No. 44, Vancouver
Keith Chesworth
In my heart I am a silvery tongued 24year old Adonis, beloved of all
of the fair sex.
In practice I am a very overweight 54year old who lost out in a beauty
contest to a Bull Dog and tongue tied in the presence of any of that
sex, unless they are worse looking than me!
'Nuff said
Keith J Chesworth
Web sites:-
Dunstable - http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Paradise/8227/home.htm
Warships of WW1- http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Congress/6728/index.html
Oil Tankers - http://www.telinco.co.uk/boilerbill/
Masonic Musings - http://www.masonry.telinco.co.uk/
Kirk Richardson
Not that it matters, if Paul Bernardo were ever to die, I would not hasten
to be sad that a Mason died, as he apparently never was where it counts, in
his heart, though I am always saddened by a loss of human life, regardless
of their relation to FM, or even their sins etc.
--
Brother Kirk
EA Clifton No. 254
"SSG Russo" <ssgr...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
news:20010612162044...@ng-da1.aol.com...
Jim Bennie
No. Young JD is on the computer again and playing "Mason".
Tomorrow, he'll be watching the Flintstones after school and
playing "Water Buffalo".
Tom Accuosti
"Jim Bennie" <jgbe...@vcn.bc.ca> wrote in message
news:9g664c$qk9$2...@sylvester.vcn.bc.ca...
You beat me to it! I was going to respond to that very point. Didn't we
go through aboiut a months worth of posts on recognition and defining
"real" masons?
If they have rituals and catechisms that parallel those of the
"mainstreamers", then aren't they masons? Unrecognized by the mainstream
(A)F & AM and by MWPH, but all other things being equal, aren't they
allowed to call themselves "Masons"? It's possible that they would one
day seek to be acknowledged or (dare I say) recognized by the mainstream
GL's, and the regularity of thier rituals and desire to work 'overtime"
to perfect them would certainly be an asset to that end.
So, if I understood that big discussion a month ago, it's okay for them
to be a parallel masonic orgainzation, just as long as they don't try to
dupe, er, confuse potential members who might later want to seek
memebership in a more mainstream lodge.
While I'm on this, I've seen the 300 number kicked around a few times as
the number of GL's in the States. It seems a bit high to me, and I
haven't yet checked out Bessel's site. Is this number actual, or was it
just tossed out for exaggeration/emphasis? I only ask because it
dovetails with a question I asked a while back about the possibility for
someone to inadvertantly vist a lodge that would be considered
"clandestine".
"Oh, and put away the bells, too." he chimed in.
ALHK
news:3B2A7322...@netscape.net...
> Brothers
> As a Virginia Mason, I am not sure of the recognition of the AF&AM (my
membership) the A & FM, aand the Prince Hall Lodges.
>
> My personal opinion is, if you are a Mason where it counts (in your heart)
you are my Brother. I will treat you as a Brother. If that violates my
obligation "so mote it be".
>
> A Brother is a Brother is a Brother.
>
> Let the Grand Lodges sort it out.
I'll agree with that whole-heartedly!
The GL here presents awards to outstanding 5th graders and I volunteered for
the presentations at two of the schools that are in my lodges area. Both
are schools that I attended while growing up. At the second presentation,
the butterflies weren't so bad, but the students seemed embarrassed and just
wanted to get the award and get off stage. At the reception afterward, I
located one of the students, a black girl, and congratulated her and her
father who was standing with her. When I shook hands with her father, he
smiled gave me the Master Mason's hand shake which really caught me
off-guard.
We talked for a few minutes but I was reluctant to mention anything about it
because I wasn't sure what was safe to talk about and what wasn't since
Oklahoma AF&AM doesn't recognize PH. It would sure be nice to not have to
worry about that stuff and be able to discuss Masonry with a brother,
regardless of what GL he belongs to.
J. B. Roberts
Millenium Lodge #543
Tulsa, OK