Bro Tatara explains the role of the WM to Bro Suzuki during the "Walk Around the Lodge"
September 24, 2011October 1, 2011October 22, 2011
There were few items of business on the agenda of our Stated Meeting for October, but an official visit by the Grand Master and Senior Grand Lecturer made the meeting a memorable one.
The Lodge was opened at 1300 hrs with WB Inomata in the East, Bro Sagara in the West, and Bro Tsujii in the South. As soon as the Lodge was opened, MWB Donald K. Smith and VWB Marvin D. Abueg were admitted with Grand Honors and conducted to a seat in the East. WB Inomata handed over the gavel of his lodge to the Grand Master, but MWB Smith returned it and asked WB Inomata to continue with the regular business of the Lodge.
WB Inomata asked the Brethren assembled to be upstanding for a minute's silent prayer in memory of Bro Edward H. Cooper, a member of this Lodge who passed away on 20 March 2007, but whose death was not reported to Bro Secretary until a few weeks ago. The WM ordered the Charter draped for a period of a month.
Bro Tatara explains the role of the WM to Bro Suzuki during the "Walk Around the Lodge"
The Minutes of our previous Stated and Special Meetings having been read and approved, WB Inomata read Article II Section 2 of our Bye-laws in preparation for our election of officers in December. Discussion was had on the trimming of the hedge behind the lodge, which had suffered damage from the recent typhoon and was leaning on our neighbor's fence. A motion to hire the same professional gardeners as before was proposed and seconded, but an amendment proposing a tabling of the motion was approved, to give members of our House Committee an opportunity to do the trimming themselves. Bro Yutaro Suzuki reported on the charity work performed by Yokosuka Lodge No. 20 in mowing the lawns of a local orphanage garden.
Finally, WB Inomata put together a provisional work assignment for an Entered Apprentice conferral to be held on 22 October and a Fellowcraft conferral on 5 November.
VWB Abueg | MWB Smith | WB Inomata
WB Inomata then called the Lodge free from restraint for a short break, after which, with the Lodge still free from restraint, a "Walk About the Lodge" was conducted for the benefit of Bro Suzuki, who had been raised just a week before. Bro Tatara acted as Bro Suzuki's guide around the Lodge, the English narrative was read by Bro Anderson, and the Japanese narrative by Bro Tomio Ogawa.
Members of Far East Lodge No. 1 with the Grand Master and Senior Grand Lecturer
Before closing the Lodge, WB Inomata asked VWB Abueg to say a few words. VWB Abueg gave his heartfelt thanks for the warm reception he had received, and brought fraternal greetings from the WM, officers and Brethren of Nippon Lodge No. 9 in Sasebo. VWB Abueg also presented WB Inomata with a beautiful commemorative plaque handmade by two members of Lodge No. 9. He apologized for not being able to visit Lodge No. 1 earlier, but the tsunami disaster had re-routed many Navy ships from Yokosuka to Sasebo, and the Brethren there had been far busier than usual.
There being no further business from the West, South, or Secretary's table, MWB Smith rose to say how much he enjoyed visiting Far East Lodge No. 1 and expressed regrets that his duties at Grand Lodge had given him fewer opportunities to visit our Lodge. He said he was particularly impressed by our "Walk Around the Lodge" and asked for a digital copy which he could forward to the Chairman of the Grand Lodge Education Committee for its consideration.
By the authority invested in him as Grand Master, MWB Smith closed the Lodge in short form, the Brethren departing in Peace, Harmony and Brotherly Love. In addition to the Grand Master and Senior Grand Lecturer, we were joined by Bro Sugita of Yuai Lodge No. 11.