Hillcrest Lodge #1318

James Butler Bonham, twice sent as a messenger seeking reinforcements for the garrison at the Alamo, broke through the Mexican lines on March 3, 1836, and rode under heavy fire back into the Alamo, becoming the last man to enter the doomed mission fortress.

I cannot help but admit I feel somewhat disheartened and overwhelmed with recent events. The issue of relocation has not been easy with the physical move from our home of many years, putting our materials into storage and the process of looking for a suitable temporary option. This has been difficult enough but we have had the additional burden of dealing with the passing of several members in the past few months.

We continue to be focused on relocation efforts. Unfortunately we cannot announce concrete plans but that does not mean we don’t have several members working diligently behind the scenes. Although we have had several, positive discussions, we are waiting on the formal vote from the Lodge where we hope to temporarily relocate before any formal announcement. And we are working through other, necessary procedural items concerning the potential impact on our stated meeting time. Once we get these final answers we will be in a position to move forward. We will be sending out a separate, formal communication later this week confirming our new location, as well as updating everyone as to our future dates for our next stated meeting, formal officer’s meeting as well as floor work.

Susan Sewell notified the Lodge that her husband, Past Master Richard Joe Sewell, passed away Tuesday evening in Abilene, Texas. The memorial service will be held at Westgate Church of Christ, 402 So. Pioneer Drive, Abilene on Saturday, August 29th at 11:00 A.M. Leonard Harvey has been asked to say a few words and Susan would appreciate a Masonic presence with aprons as a group to be recognized as honorary pallbearers.

Paul Meadows, Jr, 82, went to be with our Lord and Savior August 6, 2009. Born June 14, 1927 to Leonard Meadows, Sr. and Vernie Ingle Meadows in Ashenville, NC. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the South Pacific. Paul was raised a Master Mason at Longview Lodge #404, served Masonry as a Charter Master of Peachtree Lodge #732, Atlanta, GA, Past Master of A. C. Garrett Lodge #1216 and a current member of Hillcrest Lodge #1318.

As we continue with our relocation efforts, Hillcrest has now completed the sale of the building on McKinney Avenue. This was accomplished through the efforts of many individuals. I would like to personally thank all of these brothers and the many additional individuals who contributed their time and efforts to this endeavor. Without these efforts, this would have been a much more lengthy and difficult process.

You are invited to attend the unveiling and presentation of "The Ragains Masonic Rifle" at the Grand Lodge of Texas Library and Museum in Waco, Texas, on August 21, 2009 at 2:00PM at the Grand Lodge facility, 715 Columbus Avenue, Waco, Texas 76701. The rifle is on loan to the Library and Museum by its current owners, Charles Sterling and Anita Cooper.