December was a record month with 14 packages to troops. We have also sent several packages to local districts for displays. Our total packages for the troops to date is 39 since Memorial Day Weekend. We already have several more for January.
MTSP Display at Rural Lodge.
2007 Ill. Walter E. Webber Class Masonic Leadership Institute
On the weekend of September 7-9th 2007 the Ill. Walter Ernest Webber class of the Masonic Leadership Institute met for their second weekend of instruction. This weekend was full of enthusiasm, hard work and Brotherly Love. The Saturday evening banquet had a last minute change. The planned guest speaker was unable to make the commitment and left that evening’s function without any source of entertainment. Team Advisor, Brother Cailte Kelley saved the evening by bringing his equipment which included a keyboard. He gave a truly entertaining, impromptu performance that we all enjoyed. During this performance several Brothers walked to the stage and tipped Brother Kelley. This comical gesture of appreciation continued with other Brothers. Soon the basket overflowed and a second one was started. Brother Kelley in true Masonic fashion graciously thanked the Brethren present for their generosity and suggested that the funds should be donated. This led to Team Freedom becoming the lucky recipient.
This truly warm, Masonic and generous evening rendered a total contribution to Team Freedom’s Masonic Troop Support Program of $1,050.00.
At the Masonic Ambassador Training on July 26th in Lexinton and August 2nd in Charlton, Team Freedom was asked to make a presentation regarding the Masonic Troop Support Program. A Power Point presentation was designed by Team Freedom member Paul Andrews and was also presented by him and Jack Sutton. It is the goal of Grand Lodge that this program be further developed at the Lodge level and overseen by the Lodge Ambassadors. The hopes are that Masonic Military personnel or personnel with a Masonic connection within that Lodge will be recognized and supported with care packages and family communication and support. If the Lodge has no connection or a very minimal number, then the Ambassador should look outside of his Lodge to his local community for any Military personnel that could be recognized and supported equally and take the opportunity to introduce them to Freemasonry.
Paul Andrews with Presentation at the Masonic Overlook in Charlton.
Team Freedom members in attendance: L-R Bro. Paul Andrews, Wor. Jack Sutton, Wor. Ed Parsons, Bro. Greg Kolandjian, and Wor. Paul Cannan (MLI Advisor).
