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BRETHREN Continued from page 6

Rasch by the president of the Federal Repu blic of Germany, Mr. Walter Scheel, in recognition for his important efforts in keeping alive German cultural traditions within the German-American communities in Philadelphia. Bro. Rasch is the founde r and director of the German-American Youth Choir of Philadelphia, and h as achieved outstanding merits in the field of music. A mason for 40 years, Bro. Rasch has been treasurer of his lodge for the past 18 years a nd has contributed greatly to the harmony and good order thereof.

The PENNSYLVANIA

FREE1YIASON AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION Of THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA

VOLUME XXV

AUGUST

• 1978

NUMBER 3

Veterans' Fund Meets Goal; New Drive Begins

Mason for 75 Years. Bro. Walter Leroy Grazier, of Parker City Lodge No. 521 held at Parker in Armstrong County, has enjoyed m embership in his lodge for 75 years . One of 15 children, Bro. Grazier h as had six children and talks about his 27 grandchildren; his 66 greatgrandchildren, and his 22 greatgreat-grandchildren. Bro. Grazier was made a mason on August 1, 1903. In recognition of his 75 years as a mason, Bro. Walter P. Wells, R. W. Grand Master, caused a beautiful and appropriate scroll to be produced which was recently presented to Bro. Graz i e r by Bra. Richard A. Slaughenhoupt, District Deputy Grand Master for the 52nd Masonic District. Bro . William A. Carpenter R. W. Grand Secretary

T HE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown , Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)

GRAND MASTER MADE HONORARY POLICE INSPECTOR-Bro. Walter P. Wells, R . W. Grand Master, r eceives honorary p olice inspector badge from Bro. Harry G. Fox, left, Deputy Police Commissione r of Philadelphia and president of The Law Enforceme nt Square Club. At right is Capt. William H. Murphy UI of the Philadelphia Police Highway Patrol. The group is the only known Law Enforcement Square Club in Pennsylvania. It boasts more than 400 m e mbers active in the field o f law enforcement. The object of the organization is to strengthen the bond of brothe rhood among its membe r s and to promote pride, interest and r esp ect in their profession.

Son and Grandson Together. EXPERIENCED E LECTRICIAN NEEDED

Primary high voltage background n ecessary. Knowledge of secondary wiring, installing and m aintenance of magn etic s tarter m o tors a must. Position available Septe mber 15, 1978. On grou nd living quarters available. Please call or write Masonic Homes c/o Personnel Department, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-Phone: 717-3671121 Ext . 223.

Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabeth town Pennsylvania

When Bro. William C. Wagner, District Deputy Gra nd Master for the 43rd Masonic District, visited Belle Vernon Lodge No. 643 recently to present a Grand Lodge 50-year masonic service emblem to Bro. Thomas S. Neil, Past Master, he was pleased to e nlis t the assistance of Bro. Thomas S. Neal, III, Senior Warden, who conduc ted his grandfather to the east, and also Bro. Thomas S. Neil, Jr., Junior Warden, who assisted in pinning the coveted gold emblem on his father's lapel.

The Masons of Pennsylvania contribu ted $25,535 to the Masonic Veterans' Fund during 1977-78, once again meeting th e continuing financial need of the hospital visitation program. The goal for the 1978-79 fund drive that begins August 1 has again been established at $25,000. Bro . Walter P. Wells, R. W. Grand Master, said in ann ouncing the new campaign, "The hospital visitation program is conducted through the Masonic Service Association at a cost of approximately $25,000 per year to Pe nnsylvania . "The h ighest principles of this great fraternity d emand we recognize the human n eeds of our hospitalized war veterans as well as their physical needs," h e said, adding, "I know the Masons of Pennsy lvania

will more than meet that responsibility." T he Masonic Service Association carefully trains the field agents who visit veterans hospitals at Aspinwall, Butler, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Coatesville, Erie, Le banon and Wilkes-Barre. In addition to the visits, the field agents provide a host of services to the hospitalized . For example, th ey are called upon to run errands for those who cannot leave the hospital; arrange entertainment, and accompany those w h o are able to make brief trips outside the hospital. The June newsletter of the Masonic Service Association contains the following information concerning the hospital visitation program: "Freemasonry can stand tall! ·The dedicated field agents who represent

A Lodge of Postmasters

POSTMASTER: Please Include Comple te 1m print of Address on Your Postal Return Clipping.

Of the 12 postmasters appointed to serve the Charleroi, Pa. post office between the years 1890 and 1958, eigh t were m embers of Charleroi Lodge No. 615. Bro . Glenn H. Brumbaugh, current secretary of the lodge who provided the listing and dates of service of th ese brethren, confirms that during most of those 68 years the brethre n neve r had to complain about due and timely n otice of the lodge meetings and other announcements. So mote it b e today.

HOSPITAL WINS ARCHITECTURAL AWARD-The Benjamin Franklin Building, part of the Masonic Health Care Center at the Masonic Homes in Elizabeth town , has been c ited for the excelle n ce of its design by the Central Pennsylvania Chapte r of th e American Institute of Architects . T h e $4 million skilled care nursing facility, d esigned by Lawrie and Gr een of Harrisburg, was d e dicated in June o f 1977.

th e fraternity in the V. A. hospitals are absolutely fantastic ! It's a constant source of inspiration to see the reports of their activities. "Where else can you find men who put in so many hours of service to the ir fellowme n and settl e for a monthly expense account of under $25? Many of them do just that! "Talk about 'symbolic wages!' Volunteers do make a d ifference. How else could M.SA. conduct a milliondollar hospital visitation program for just a fraction of the value?" Gr and Lodge had b een financing the program in Pennsylvania veterans hospital through use of abou t $150,000 left over from the Masonic Veterans' Fund of World War II. When the funds dwindled to about $8,000 in 1976, the Grand Lodge appealed for assistance to the symbolic lodges and authorized contributions from lodge charity funds. The lod ges, and individual contrib utors, suppor ted the program with more that $30,000 in 1976-77 and with more than $25,000 in 1977-78. The Grand Master has again authorized the lodges to utilize charity funds for the current campaign and urges individual Masons to contribute w hen possible. Since the hospital visitation program is a recognized Masonic charity, all contributions are deductible for income tax purposes. Ch ecks from Lodges and individuals may be made p ayable t o the Masonic Veterans' Fund and mailed to: Grand Mas ter 's Office, Masonic Temple, On e North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107.