Page 14 - 2017 Summer

Pennington explained
Gr and Lodg e of W ashingt on
Grand Lodge of Washington
Masonic Tribune
Masonic T r ibune that Hero’s Cafe is open
Volume XCVIII No. 4 - Summer 2017 Issue - Page 14 to everyone who wants
Volume XCII No.1 - Summer Issue - Page 3
to show his or her ap-
preciation for American
veterans. The highlight
Hero’s Cafe of this event was see-
ing so many veterans,
especially those three
who served in WWII. If you are interested in this program
or finding more information, email Steve Pennington at gun-
fighter11@juno.com.

VWBB Dutch Meier
Military Recognition Committee

Photos courtesy of:
VWBB Steve Pennington
Military Recognition Committee

FreeMasons in Washington have recently found another
activity to show support for veterans and become more in- Membership Development
volved with their communities.
“It’s called Hero’s Cafe, and several of our Brethren in the Brothers,
Craft joined with the community of Lynnwood as they try ince this article is slated to come out during our Annual
to become established as a ‘veteran-friendly community’,” SCommunication, I thought I would address you regard-
said VWBB Steve Pennington, from the Military Recognition ing one consequence of our declining
Committee. “Mayor Nicola Smith and her staff pursued sev- membership on our Grand Lodge. First,
eral opportunities in support of our local veteran population. let me state something that I fully explore
Among them is a program already proven successful in other in my annual committee report. Namely,
communities across the country known as ‘Heroes Cafe.’ ” that we are going to have a smaller mem-
The program is intended to offer a place for veterans and bership than in the past and we need to
adjust our processes to make the Mason-
service providers to gather in a social environment and en- ic experience work, rather than denying
joy both personal contact and access to the assistance of reality.
Veterans Service Officers associated with several veterans
At the Annual Communication, we will
organizations, according to Pennington. again elect a new Junior Grand Warden. This year, as in the
Receiving support from Verdant Health Corp., which provid- past, we are fortunate to have 3 well qualified and commit-
ed a place for people to gather, veterans, community leaders, ted Brothers to choose from. However, given that the Grand
and some supportive Brethren held their third such event on Lodge has Districts where it’s difficult to find a qualified
March 28. Lynnwood will keep the momentum going with the Brother to appoint as Deputy, there may be a day coming
support and encouragement of the mayor and her staff by where it’s difficult to find qualified candidates for the Grand
Meeting on the fourth Tuesday of each month. South. The commitment to run is substantial: personal cost
“One organizer reported that we had 111 participants at this of approximately $50K during your time in the line, almost
recent session. Among the attendees were three World War every weekend gone to an event and administrative duties
II veterans. We’ve been receiving rave reviews from those that pretty much make this a full-time job for 4 years. Many
who were there, so we believe there’s no doubt that the Café Brothers - due to financial, family or other commitments - just
will continue to assist and support our veteran community,” don’t want to commit to it. To their credit as they have their
said Pennington, also a member of the Vietnam Veterans of priorities for what works for them.
America, which supported this “Hero’s Cafe.” Does it make sense that we have the same or similar re-
Organizers and participants shared their gratitude to all the quirements for our elected officers as when we had 3 or 4
times the members? We can scale the job back a bit to at-
organizers, including the “outstanding support of Steve Pen- tract more of our leaders into running. While there are some
nington and several others,” said Gary Walderman, an Air duties that involve our relationship to Universal FreeMa-
Force veteran of Operation Desert Storm in the first Persian sonry – attending other Grand Lodge communications and
Gulf War, who was the team leader for this Hero’s Café. the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, etc – a
Applauding the efforts of all those who helped put this event great deal of the time is driving long distances for local Lodge
together, Walderman said: “You are exceptional supporters events and District Meetings.
of these gathering and great American Heroes. You served What can Lodges and Brothers do to help?
our country when called upon, now you serve our local vet-
erans and community,” he said. “I heard so many great com- • If you have an annual event that has historically in-
ments about this particular gathering and most important you volved an invitation to the Grand Master, consider
showed that the Hero’s Café is a very viable veterans’ sup- making it an event for one of the other elected of-
port function worthy of financial support and sponsorship.”
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