A Message From the Next Generation

Please, enjoy this article from guest contributor, W:.Bro. William Badders.



A Message From the Next Generation

This will be a short list that I hope will help your lodge. All Lodges have their own attractions and each community is different, especially in the Great State of Texas. We have successful Lodges that wear overalls, western wear, suit & tie, and even a couple of Lodges that wear the traditional tuxedo.

This year, I am serving as the second Master of my Lodge in his twenties. Here are some of my observations. The younger generation is looking for something that truly makes them better. Lots of young men don't go to a church of an organized religion, but still believe in a Supreme Being. Many want to do some charity work, but not join a charity just for charity sake.

For the most part, 18-40 year old men are online most their day. So, for them to hear about us or get interested in Freemasonry, they must see us online. Our Lodges must have up to date websites and be on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram). Keep in mind, they need to keep them up to date with pictures and post frequently.

Like I said earlier, every Lodge has their own dress code. Don't think that my generation is against dressing up. Look good! Many churches and most of our jobs don't require suit & tie. So, when we get to wear on,  we actually get excited. I have had multiple new Brothers and Candidates tell me they are “excited” to go purchase or wear their suit & tie. I want my Officers and membership to wear suit & tie to Stated Meetings and special events. When we dress nice and are seen in the public, we stick out. Plus it feels good to look good.

Let's not forget our current or older members, many of which are not active in my Lodge. I have heard on a few podcasts that the average for Lodge attendance is 10%. I sent out a questionnaire 2 years ago asking what members wanted in a lodge or what our lodge was missing. I received 40% of the questionnaires back from the non active members and all of them said Education. I personally wanted education also, that was a reason I joined Freemasonry. Leading up to my year as Master, I reached out to multiple lodges to schedule guest speakers. I put a great Past Master and extremely knowledgeable Brother in the Lodge Education Officers position.  I requested that all the new members read Freemasonry for Dummies. I ask the Entered Apprentices to give a short talk. When we get people involved then they are more likely to stay.

By bringing education back to my Lodge, we have brought back some of our not so active members, which was a great side effect. I am a strong believer of giving members duties.  Everyone is helping out somewhere, from being a Mentor, greeting everyone that walks through the door, serving on committees, and appointing the Investigation Committees. These are for Brothers who want to help out but can't make every meeting.

A great mentorship program is a wonderful tool for a Lodge. According to the US Census, in 2016, 23% of juveniles came from single parent households and are raised my their mothers. Then, add the households where the men are always working or gone. This makes up a big part of our society that needs a male figure to look up to. Why not help fill that missing piece of our society with great men and role models for these young men? A book that I recommend on this topic is “Understanding Manhood in America” by Robert G. Davis.

Let us not forget to also meet outside the lodge building for dinner, drinks, fishing trips, charity runs, or sporting events. The Lodge is not just the building but the Brethren. We must be seen out in our communities. Wear a hat, shirt, or jacket with the Square & Compasses on it. Carry business cards so you can give to people interested. We have skipped one generation of potential members. Let’s not skip another by their lack of knowledge that we exist. Try to incorporate all the aspects of the principles of fraternalism.

Stop the lodge politics and cliques, greet the perspective member with a smile on your face. Take them out to get a cup of coffee and answer their questions. Don't whine about millennials, they are the future of Freemasonry. The future of our Fraternity is in our hands. Teach this generation well,so it can live on. Each one, teach one. Be the Light!

Fraternally,

William Badders
Guest Contributer

William Badders is the current Worshipful Master of Triune Masonic Lodge No.15 A.F&A.M., in San Antonio, Texas. He is also a member of Tranquility Lodge #2000, San Antonio High Twelve #656 and Tri-Cities High Twelve #700, Iowa Lodge of Research No. 2, Grand College of Rites, San Antonio Royal Arch Chapter #381, San Antonio Council of Royal & Select Masters #14 and the San Antonio Scottish Rite.

 “One for All, All for One!”
  Jason S. West, PM

As a Past Master, I am very positive when it comes to Freemasonry.  I believe in inspiring others with the positive teachings within our great Craft. I have seen an increase in negative thoughts of other Master Masons in reference to their Lodges. I have come to a realization that some of these experiences are hurting the very institution that so many of us love.

I am on board with positive changes in a Lodge. I believe that it is crucial to the growth, development, and culture of a Lodge. However, Lodge Leadership should be careful not to take on everything for themselves while alienating newer members and Past Masters. Many Lodges are losing members due to this situation.

All members have talents and gifts that can benefit Masonry and your Lodge. Get to know your Brothers. Find out what they have to contribute and involve them. Masons that are involved and feel a part of the Lodge family will attend meeting and events. Involve EAs, FCs, and new MMs in tasks that will help them to learn.

Involve Past Masters. Some Past Masters may feel less involved after their year as Master is completed.  Keep them involved in programs that they started or were working on.  Make them feel welcomed and useful.

These are just some simple solutions to maintaining membership among the Brethren in our Lodges.  There are many other solutions and ideas. Many talk about new membership. However, we need to focus on maintaining current membership in keeping the valuable members of our great Fraternity.

“Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno!”

“One for all, all for one!”

COLONEL RUSSELL LOWELL MAUGHAN

COLONEL RUSSELL LOWELL MAUGHAN

By Jason S. West

Russell Lowell Maughan is credited for making the first coast to coast flight across the United States in one day.  On June 23, 1924, at 2:58 A.M., he took off from Mitchel Field in New York.  At 9:47 P.M., Maughan landed his Curtiss Hawk PW-8 Army pursuit plane in San Francisco.  Thousands of cheering spectators were on hand to witness his great success.  Even President Calvin Coolidge was enthusiastic to receive the news by sending a telegraph stating, “Please wire me immediately upon Maughan’s arrival. Important here.”

The flight took 21 hours and 48 minutes to fly 2, 540 miles across the country.  His actual time in the air was 18 hours and 20 minutes, with an average speed of 156.2 miles per hour.  He made 5 stops to refuel and conduct inspections.  A wire service report that was published in the Salt Lake Tribune stated, “Circling high in the sky above the Golden Gate before making a perfect landing on Crissy Field, Lieutenant Russell L. Maughan, tonight brought to a wonderful close his third attempt at spanning the United States by airplane within the limits of dawn and dusk of the same day.”

Maughan had caught the attention of the world with his “Dawn to Dusk” flight.  This was the greatest feat in aviation until May 20-21, 1927, when Bro. Charles A. Lindbergh made his famous flight from New York to Paris.

In recognition of his extraordinary flight, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  His orders read, “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Russell L. Maughan, U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. Lieutenant Maughan departed from Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York, at 2:58 a.m. Eastern standard time, on 23 June 1924, in a modified service type pursuit airplane on the dawn-to-dusk flight, and landed at Crissy Field, San Francisco, California, at 9:47 p.m. Pacific time, the same date. He flew over 2,540 miles in 21 hours and 48 and a half minutes, thereby making the fastest time ever made by man between New York and San Francisco.”

Maughan was born in Logan, Utah on March 28, 1893.  In 1917, he graduated from the Utah State Agricultural College.  After graduation, he joined the Army.  Maughan married Ila May Fisher in 1919.  He was later divorced and was remarried in 1946 to Lois Roylance.  He had four children: Ila May, Mary Ann, Russell Lowell Jr., and Weston Fisher.

 Lieutenant Maughan earned an excellent record in World War I, prior to his famous flight.   Maughan was credited with 4 aerial victories.  He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism.  The orders for the award stated, “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Air Service) Russell L. Maughan, United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 138th Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., near Sommerance, France, 27 October 1918. Accompanied by two other planes, Lieutenant Maughan was patrolling our lines, when he saw slightly below him an enemy plane (Fokker type). When he started an attack upon it he was attacked from behind by four more of the enemy. By several well-directed shots he sent one of his opponents to the earth, and, although the forces of the enemy were again increased by seven planes, he so skillfully maneuvered that he was able to escape toward his lines. While returning he attacked and brought down an enemy plane which was diving on our trenches.”  Maughan saved the life of a fellow Army aviator that day.

Maughan’s famous flight and his World War I record were not his only great achievements.  In 1922, he won the Pulitzer Flying Cup by setting a new world speed record.  He became the air advisor to the governor-general of the Philippines from 1930 to 1935.  Just before World War II began, Maughan was sent on a secret mission to Greenland to search for locations for strategic Allied airfields.

During World War II, Maughan commanded one of the first Army Air Corps fighter units to operate out of England.  He later commanded several air bases in California and Oregon.  As a career Army man, and later Air Force, Maughan reached the rank of Colonel.  He retired from military service in 1946.

Russell Maughan was very modest about his accomplishments.  He once said, “It really wasn’t anything great.  It was just the result of a lot of experimentation and hard work on the part of many people connected with the air service, and I was fortunate enough to be the one to reap the results of all those years of labor.”  His achievements in time of peace and of war show the great character and dedication of such a man as Russell L. Maughan.

Brother Maughan was a Freemason and member of Kelly Lodge No. 1131, in San Antonio, Texas.  He was initiated on April 20, 1925, passed on May 21, 1925, and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on June 19, 1925.  He remained a steadfast and faithful Mason and member of Kelly Lodge until his death.

Russell Lowell Maughan laid down his working tools on April 21, 1958, while undergoing surgery in San Antonio, Texas.  He is buried in his hometown of Logan, Utah.