Tuesday, September 22, 2009

A Wonderful Quote From Morals And Dogma.


"He who will basely fawn on those who have office to bestow, will betray like Iscariot, and prove a miserable and pitiable failure. . . . . The Republic that employs and honors the shallow, the superficial, the base, 'who crouch [u]nto the offal of an office promised,' at last weeps tears of blood for its fatal error. Let the nobility of every great heart, condensed into justice and truth, strike such creatures like a thunderbolt! If you can do no more, you can at least condemn by your vote, and ostracisze by denunciation."

A. Pike, Morals and Dogma, p. 48 (1871)

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Monday, September 21, 2009

Eulogy For Gate City II's Theron Roye Locke by Audrey McAleer


On Saturday, September 19, 2009, Gate City II said good bye to T.R. Locke. The long line of family and friends who were on hand to honor and say farewell was moving. It was difficult to stay composed as loved ones passed by the open casket for one last view and a final word. GCII was on hand as pallbearers as well as ritualists for the Masonic Graveside Service. Three representatives from the DeKalb Masonic Memorial Club were also on hand, at graveside, to assist as Stewards and the Chaplain. David Herman delivered the ritual with pride for the fraternity, love for his deceased brother, and heartfelt sympathy for the wonderful family of T.R. Locke.

I cannot write the words well enough to convey what a true spirit to the craft has been lost by the passing of Brother Locke. Nor can I fully impart the extent to which Theron Roye Locke fully embodied the principles of Gate City Lodge No. 2. That being said, Mrs. Audrey McAleer has graciously allowed us to publish her eulogy for Theron Roye Locke.


Eulogy for Theron Roye (T.R.) Locke
By Audrey McAleer

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m one of T.R.’s sisters-in-law. About four years ago, the last time TR and Raye came to visit Hugh and I, TR asked me out on my patio and asked me if I would give his eulogy when he passed away. I had to think long and hard about this but considered it to be such an honor to be asked to do this that I agreed. I told him it would be hard but I would strive to do my best for him.

TR was a man of many passions. He loved pheasant hunting, he loved dancing with his beloved Baby Raye as he called her, he was a giver, sometimes to his own detriment, and he was an avid Shriner for the crippled and burned children in this world. I remember him going out on hot summer mornings to shake his bucket to collect money for the Scottish Rite Hospital and return with a big smile on his face with a bucket full of money for the children.

As most of you know, one of TR’s lifelong passions was his love of wood. He loved trees of any kind. On road trips to Florida or just around the countryside, he would point out all the types of trees and for what they would be used. I believe that at each home TR ever lived in, he left behind trees for the next generation to enjoy. His son -in-law David made the remark yesterday that TR was probably in Heaven pointing out all the pear trees, the apple trees, and the cherry trees. He loved cherry wood so much that in helping Raye finalize his arrangements yesterday, Judy and Iantha said their Daddy would want fine cherry wood in which to lay and that is exactly what they picked out for him.

When I first met TR, I also met his best friend Sam Coley. Back in the day of racial inequality, I was surprised, oh so pleasantly so, to see that two men of different races could have such a brotherly bond. They shared many good bourbons and good cigars together. When they both grew older and feeble, they talked daily and shared their stories. You know how it goes - it starts out do you remember when we ... and they would talk for hours about their many escapades as we called them. If TR had cigars, Sam had cigars in ample supply. I was with Raye when she called Sam about TR’s passing. He was the only friend of TR’s that Raye could not tell TR had passed away. She could only call his name and that was the only person I had the horrible position of telling for her that TR had passed on from this life.
TR had a lot of stories about growing up in the country. I remember that most of his stories would start with “When I was a lad of a boy.” And then he would proceed to tell us about growing up from humble means here in Cumming to building his dream house, Locke Manor, and many stories in between and after. I knew that when I heard the words, when I was a lad of a boy, we were in for a tale.

TR and I had a little ritual that when we would come to visit him and Raye, we would share a glass of champagne. It just seemed like something so special for us to do. However, he could never get me to try his homemade wine that he loved making so much. When he got too feeble to make the wine himself, many times he cajoled Hugh and Johnny into doing the job for him. We all know he was good at supervising. He was so good at supervising that he even got me to plant tomatoes in the last garden he had - in my pajamas on a Sunday morning and barefoot. He is the only person on this earth who could get me to do that.

When Raye and I were talking the other night, we recalled an incident with TR which always made us laugh and it still had the power to do so on such a sad day. He was making an infomercial for a marketing company which he founded. His longtime hairdresser talked him into curling his hair. When he came back to the office and popped his head into the door and said, with that special grin on his face, what do you think, we almost fell out of our chairs laughing. Well he knew what we thought okay and that was the end of the perm. As you all know, he would try anything once, and that was a one time event.

TR loved all his daughters to a fault. He bragged on their accomplishments and didn’t hesitate to tell you about them. In his latter years, especially when he became pretty much bedridden, he so looked forward to their visits and phone calls. When one called or came by, he was sure to tell you about it.

His grandchildren were no different. Like most grandparents, the fridge was full of pictures of the milestones in their lives. I remember visiting one weekend and it was time for breakfast. Maddie Raye was sent to call PaPa to the table. For her he would get up out of bed even when it wasn’t easy. I think Maddie was about 2 and she took him by the hand and said I’ll help you walk to the kitchen PaPa. And she did. And when she got him to the kitchen, she pulled his chair out for him. I think he felt like a king being seated on his throne for such a little child to do that for him with so much love in her heart. He often told Maddie, that she was God’s little angel who God picked up every night and brought her back to him every morning.

When TR knew his time was drawing near, he and Raye had many talks about the final preparations. The only thing that Raye could not fulfill for him was his wish to be driven around I-285 in a hearse with Last Date by Floyd Cramer playing. There is a little story behind that. When they were dating that song came on the radio and they stopped the car, on 285, and got out and danced to it. I can’t hear that song without thinking about them. So, thinking back to that night 4 years ago at my home, we were all listening to old country music on the radio, which he loved to do, and even though TR was starting to decline, he and his Baby Raye got up in my kitchen and danced. I consider that night to be their Last Date.

But now he is in a better place. Not in pain and suffering any more and with his God in Heaven. He can stand tall again and walk with ease. In his last hour here on earth, Raye said she told him not to walk across that river, but to run. He is finally free of any earthly encumbrances and is where he has wanted to be for a long time.

I’ll never have a glass of champagne again without thinking in my mind, Cheers TR. Rest in peace my old friend.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Religion and Culture VI: Tuesday, October 13th, 2009: Scottish Heritage: Robert Burns


Gate City continues the Religion and Culture Series with Scottish Heritage in celebration of our upcoming Georgia CHIP event at the Stone Mountain Scottish Games. The famed Address To The Haggis will be performed in the traditional fashion with a bagpiper and escorts. Robert Burns Poetry will be recited by members of the Atlanta Burns Club. The incredibly vast amount of Scottish inventions during the industrial age will also be discussed. Neeps and Tatties will be on hand. Don't worry, there will be plenty of other food besides Haggis.

The event will be part of our regular communication on October 13, 2009. Dinner starts at 6:30PM. Program begins shortly after 7:30PM. Dinner is $7.00 (US).

"Warm-reeking, rich!"Haggis is a dish containing sheep's 'pluck' (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally boiled in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.

Haggis somewhat resembles stuffed intestines (pig intestines otherwise known as chitterlings), sausages and savoury puddings of which it is among the largest types. As the 2001 English edition of the Larousse Gastronomique puts it, "Although its description is not immediately appealing, haggis has an excellent nutty texture and delicious savoury flavour".[1]

Most modern commercial haggis is prepared in a casing rather than an actual stomach. There are also meat-free recipes for vegetarians.

The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish memorialised as the national dish of Scotland by Robert Burns' poem Address to a Haggis in 1787. Haggis is traditionally served with "neeps and tatties" (Scots: swede, yellow turnip or rutabaga and potatoes, boiled and mashed separately) and a "dram" (i.e. a glass of Scotch whisky), especially as the main course of a Burns supper. However it is also often eaten with other accompaniments, or served with a whisky-based sauce. (Wikipedia)


















Wha's Like Us? Damn Few And They're A' Died!


Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Lt. Col. Richard P. Turner, Father of GCII Brothers Richard and Brit Turner, Has Passed.


Lt. Col. Richard P. Turner died peacefully in his sleep on july 26th at his home in Georgia. He will be given full USAF Honors when he is laid to rest on October 14th, 2009. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery along side his wife.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Gate City Dismisses Complaint Against Grand Lodge of Georgia

COMPLAINT DISMISSED AGAINST GRAND LODGE OF GEORGIA

A civil Complaint filed against the Grand Lodge of Georgia, F.&A.M., and several
individual Masons has been dismissed today by Gate City Lodge No. 2 and Michael Bjelajac, its Worshipful Master. “We were very sad that we had to bring the Complaint initially,” said Bjelajac. “It was necessitated by the unrestrained actions of a few, which were contrary to the principles of Freemasonry and a prior written statement of our Grand Master.”

On February 25, 2009, J. Edward Jennings, Jr., Grand Master of Masons in Georgia, issued a written statement in response to inquiries from some members about Gate City Lodge No. 2’s having admitted Victor Marshall, a man of African American heritage. In his statement Grand Master Jennings said, unequivocally “. . . [Marshall] is a regular Mason and should be received as such.”

Despite Jennings’ determination two members of other lodges brought Masonic Charges against Bjelajac and Gate City Lodge No. 2 for admitting a “non-white man.” Gate City and Bjelajac, represented by members David J. Llewellyn and C. David Johnston respectively, then brought a Complaint in DeKalb Superior Court against the Grand Lodge of Georgia, those individuals who preferred the Masonic Charges, and the individual who agreed to chair the trial of the Charges. According to Johnston, “The Complaint was justified and resulted in the withdrawal of the Masonic Charges, which were without merit and totaling lacking in due process.”

However, Llewellyn said: “It is now appropriate to dismiss the Complaint in light of a recent Edict issued by the Grand Master, as well as other actions of the Grand Lodge.” In the Edict referred to by Llewellyn, Grand Master Jennings reaffirmed the universal principles of Freemasonry adopted by the Grand Lodge of Georgia, including: “Freemasonry is universal in scope, being a Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, and . . . welcomes to its doors and offers its privileges to men of all races, colors and national origins who believe in a Supreme Being, . . .” Speaking on behalf of Gate City Lodge No. 2, including Bjelajac and its members, Llewellyn said: “We trust that the leadership demonstrated by Grand Master Jennings will be followed by all other members of the Grand Lodge of Georgia so that it is clear that any issues involving our basic principles have been resolved once and for all.”

Said Bjelajac: “It is time for all Masons to get back to what we do best – attracting the best men in our communities to improve themselves and work for a better world through our many Masonic organizations and charities.”

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Frank Vexler To Attend Tonight's Meeting and Conduct Fifty and Sixty Year Ceremonies

Worshipful Brother Frank Vexler, Master of the Fifth Masonic District, will be on hand this evening to conduct the fifty and sixty year ceremonies. Thanks Worshipful Brother Vexler!!!

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Royal Order of Scotland Will Not Be Participating In Highland Games CHIPS Event.

The Royal Order of Scotland has opted out of the Scottish Games CHIPS event hosted by Gate City II. No further information is available.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

The Grand Master Will Not Be Present at September 8th Meeting

The Grand Master will not be at our next stated meeting of September 8th.

Gate City II is an Atlanta Masonic Lodge. We are Free and Accepted Masons working under the jurisdiction of The Grand Lodge of Georgia. We meet at the Atlanta Masonic Center (formerly The Atlanta Masonic Temple) 1690 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309