On Monday, May 26, a joint meeting was held at 106 N. Bellville St., Winnfield, that was open to the public. This was in recognition of the last full measure of Devotion given by many selfless members of our Military. 

Both Eastern Star Lodge #151 and O.K. Allen Lodge #33 were open at 4 pm in the 3rd Degree, along with members of Calvin Lodge #431 and immediately went to Refreshment, which allows the Lodge to admit non-members into inner sanctuary.  Members of all three Blue Lodges in Winn Parish participated in this “Masonic Ritual of Remembrance.”

The evening’s event started then with a reception of our visitors, and at 6 p.m., an evening meal was enjoyed, consisting of Chicken and Spaghetti, green beans, rolls and cake. As in all Masonic endeavors, prayer was given beforehand.

Then the guests were invited into the Blue Lodge, which was Open and at Refreshment, where they were witness to the solemn events which honored those who died in service of their country so that we may never forget that “Freedom is not Free.”

The Program consisted of a Honor Guard, Lodge Positions and Soldiers representing Historical figures from our past. Guests were witness to the Display of our Colors and Flag Presentation to Sister Noelani Thompson, representing Susan Winters, whose son is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, by reading the Poem, “I Remember.”

Brother Michael Watts, Retired Army, then talked about the origin of Memorial Day. Then the Vacant Chair was introduced into the Lodge and positioned in a place of Honor in the East, by Cast members representing the Sprits of Soldiers Who paid ultimate Price for our Freedom. Bill Thompson, as a disoriented Soldier, entered the Lodge where Brother Louis Champagne called his attention to the Holy Bible on our altar and gave him the Bible lecture, which explains the importance of the Bible in our everyday life.

At the end of the ceremony, guests and cast members alike were asked to place a forget-me-not on the vacant chair to remember those that they know who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

The Lodge was Closed in a summary manner by Keith Gates, Grand Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana.