Submitted by Brian Raigan, DDIGM
Brian Raigan and Landon Jones
First Responders Award
It isn't every day that you attend a lodge meeting to give honors and end up receiving them! On Monday, February 17, 2020, while attending Carnegie Lodge #294 in Carnegie, Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to present the Cryptic Mason First Responder Award to Landon Jones, Junior Warden of Carnegie Lodge, for his nearly 20 years of fire service in the town of Cordell, Oklahoma. Immediately afterwards, Brother Jones presented me with the same award for my decade of service as a firefighter and paramedic in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
While we were in the award giving spirit, I presented a 10 year Masonic pin to my father, Truman Lavern Ragain Jr, who is currently serving as Worshipful Master of Carnegie Lodge. The investigating committee also reported favorably and I was elected as a member of the lodge. There were five York Rite Masons present and six others that were exposed to the York Rite and our support for first responders, veterans, and the advancements of medical research through CMMRF.
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International
Companion Harry Jenkins, SW of Hiram Lodge, Companion Stephen Balke, GGR, Trevor Wallin, WM Edgewood Lodge, Keith Henry, Amanda Henry, Sean Henry, Companion Nicholas Brittenham
On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Worshipful Master Trevor Wallin of Edgewood Lodge No. 82 called the Craft to Refreshment and invited in guests for a presentation by Companion Nicholas J. Brittenham and Edgewood Lodge.
Companion Brittenham, a previous recipient and the Junior Steward of Edgewood Lodge, presented Brother Keith W. Henry, Chapter Dad for Edgewood’s Route 66 DeMolay, with a First Responder Award for his service to the Los Alamos Fire Department as both a Firefighter and EMT. It was my honor to introduce the award to an audience which included visitors from several Lodges, including two other Worshipful Masters and R. Christopher Leitch, Potentate of Ballut Abyad Shrine. The award was well received by the members present, and Brother Keith was surprised; his Lady, Amanda, not only got him to wear his class A’s, but was also able to sneak his mom, Nancy, and brother Sean (also a Firefighter) in without him previously knowing.
Photos by Michele Balke
Brother Keith Henry, recipient and Companion Nick Brittenham, First Responders
Keith getting “pinned” by Lady Amanda, Nick Brittenham and Sean Henry in background
34 Brethren in attendance from seven NM Lodges
Submitted by Will Highsmith, Editor, Decryption
Comp. Craig Horton, GPCW-NC, WB Justin Eldreth, WM Raleigh 500, Bro. Lloyd Johnson, JW Raleigh Lodge 500, Comp. Will Highsmith, Decryption Editor
On Tuesday February 18, the First Responders Award was presented to Brother Lloyd Carl Johnson who is currently serving as Junior Warden. The award was presented during a Stated Communication of Raleigh Lodge 500, Grand Lodge of North Carolina AF&AM. Worshipful Master Justin Eldreth had the Marshal conduct a very confused Brother Johnson to the West Side of the Altar where he stood for a moment until Companions Will Highsmith and Craig Horton explained why he was standing there and presented the award. Brother Johnson was surprised by the award as were most of the Brothers in the room.
Brother Johnson is currently serving as a Captain for the City of Raleigh Fire Department and has been a firefighter for 27 years. Brother Lloyd Johnson stated that he would treasure the award and really appreciated being thought of.
Photo Credit: Tyler Ball
Lloyd Johnson reviewing the award
Award Jewel
Certificate
