From the January 2012 Global Fraternal Network newsletter: Swisher Lodge U.D. Operational in Afghanistan By W.B. Patrick Barger, Personal Representative of the Grand Master Nebraska Masonry is Alive and Well... in Afghanistan! The traveling men of Nebraska Freemasonry flew that well-known pseudonym to renewed heights in the last few weeks. Swisher Lodge Under Dispensation was open once again in the war-torn country of Afghanistan, half-way around the globe. Acting under dispensation from Most Worshipful Brother Bruce A. Baker, Swisher Lodge opened its doors in Kabul, Afghanistan in early December 2011. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska shipped the famous “Swisher Kit” containing all tools and accessories necessary to conduct a lodge communication to me and all items were put to good use. As you know, Swisher Lodge was named after Bro. (SSG) Christopher Swisher of Lincoln Lodge No. 19, the first soldier and Mason from Nebraska to be killed in Iraq in 2003. Everything we do is dedicated to him. This lodge formed and I was installed Worshipful Master, WB Ritchie Inns of Cotner Lodge No. 297 as Senior Warden, and Brother Blair Talley of Lancaster Lodge No. 54 as Junior Warden. It was nice to have the top three officers of this lodge be Nebraska Masons, as all three of us are currently stationed at various locations across Afghanistan. The three of us extend our Masonic greetings to all of you. The lodge currently has fifteen members hailing from all corners of the earth. Besides Nebraska, the Phillipines, Nova Scotia, Texas, Virginia, Germany, Washington, Colorado, and South Dakota are represented. Since the lodge was formed, we initiated and passed Brother Phil Holguin, a retired Command Sergeant Major and Army Ranger in the U.S. Army. As the lodge continues to grow in numbers, we hope to have enough members to perform the entire Master Mason degree for him. We were very fortunate to have WB Ritchie Inns in attendance on the evening of the Fellow Craft degree, as he delivers a flawless rendition of the Middle Chamber lecture, as many of you already know. Without Ritchie present to do that, we could not have performed the degree. This, however, is the first time he has delivered the lecture using pictures of the staircase, pillars, and orders of architecture printed on card stock (there isn’t room in the Swisher Kit to roll up a twenty-foot long canvas or two 18 cubit-high pillars). An ammunition box with a towel on top served as the kneeler for the candidate, and a wooden stand used to hang our Individual Body Armor and helmet served as the square that supported his left elbow. Three more of these stands served as the pedestals for the top three officers as well. Brother Phil Holguin is pictured in the center with WB Patrick Barger on his left and WB Ritchie Inns on his right. Bro. John Gruehl of Virginia is on the far left and Bro. Mark Buechler from South Dakota is on the far right. [note-I was unable to copy the picture, BF] I am pleased to report that we have a number of people stationed here who are interested in joining Masonry. Perhaps it is true that many (if not most) of them will return to their homes and join local lodges. No matter—our very existence in Afghanistan is evidence that Masonry is a worldwide fraternity and they will always remember their first experience in Masonry was in a Nebraska lodge. Although a few months ago I came from the West traveling to the East, I am eagerly anticipating going back the other direction soon. God Bless You, our beloved country, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. www.Masonic-Network.com
I've long had an interest, being a Mason, and being military [no hero: I never heard a shot fired away from the rifle range], in military lodges. As I my have posted here before, we (GL of AF&AM of NC) voted to recognize the MW Prince Hall GL of Oklahoma, and it appears that it was acceptable to my very conservative Grand Lodge because OK charters military lodges. If anyone has heard of other PHA grand lodges chartering military lodges, I would love to ask my GL to recognize them also. I have already asked the Fraternal Correspondence Committee about WA and TX. 2 down...2 on deck...46 to go... To quote that famous thinker Moses Howard ('Moe') "Step by step, inch by inch..." S&F
You remember Moses. And his brother Jerome. And their performing companion in Vaudeville, Lawrence Fine: Larry, Moe, and Curly!
He is talking about the GL of NC recognizing the MWPHGLOK during our last GL session. If I remember right, thee were only 4 votes against.
It was extremely gratifying to hear the young combat veteran get up and give direct testimony against the rumor repeated by the first speaker, who claimed that PHA Masons were recruiting members in the combat zones! S&F
I am delighted to hear this development. Please check out my blog. Charles Martin's Blog. Iraq, Afghanistan and Freemasonry I am returning to Afghanistan in early 2012. I would like to participate in Masonry there.
Oops! Fat fingers...Alzheimers...I'll think of something! "AM" should have been "NC" Why do I never see that until too late??!! S&F
Is there a lodge at Bagram or maybe a Square and Compass? I will be going there after the first of year.
I was at Bagram some months ago. There was one operating lodge, and one Eastern Star chapter. There is probably some Masonic activity there. Check at the chaplain's office.
