Events & Milestones Cont.

Officer Down Memorial Page - Remembering All of Law Enforcement’s Heroes: On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, Rising Sun Lodge submitted an application and required documents to the Officer Down Memorial Page in the name of Decatur Police Officer, Jesse Lemuel Jones. Brother Jones, who was Worshipful Master of Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 in 1901, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 25, 1906. On Nov. 5, 2012 we received notification from the web-based national database that a Memorial Page in honor of Officer Jesse Lemuel “Lem” Jones had been established. 
CLICK HERE to be re-directed to the ODMP honoring Officer Jessie Lemuel Jones.
While doing research on PM, Jesse Lemuel Jones (above), it was discovered that other Alabama Law Officers had been slain in the line of duty and were yet to be recognized. In 1905, Decatur Police Officer William A. Baber was shot and killed. Tuesday, November 27, 2012, we submitted the appropriate documents and an application to the ODMP in the name of William A. Baber. Thursday, November 29, 2012, we received a communication from the web-based national database that a memorial had been established in the name of Officer William Amslom “Billy” Baber, Sr.
CLICK HERE to be re-directed to the ODMP honoring Officer William Amslom "Billy" Baber, Sr.
Also discovered in our submission documents, another Alabama Officer of the Law, Special Officer Charles Burvel Graves, Louisville and Nashville Railroad Police Department and former Cullman County Sheriff, died at the hands of an assailant in 1932. Special Officer Graves’ ODMP was established Thursday, November 29, 2012.
CLICK HERE to be re-directed to the ODMP honoring Special Officer Charles Burvel Graves.
It is with the highest honor and utmost esteem that we acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice these and all other Officers of the Law have made in faithful discharge of their sworn duty.

UPDATE - The names of Officers Jones and Baber were read into record at the annual Morgan County Fallen Officers Memorial Ceremony Wednesday, May 15, 2013. The releasing of dozens of white doves and a 21-gun salute highlighted the tribute to our fallen heroes.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial:  In 2015, Officers Baber and Jones names were added to the over 20,538 names on the walls of this memorial in Washington D.C. through the efforts of Lt. Frank DeButy, a retired Lieutenant with the Decatur Police Department.

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Lapel Pins: Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 purchased these beautiful blue and white enameled, gold-tone embossed lapel pins and presents them to all first-time visiting Brethren, Grand Lodge Officers and our newly Raised Master Masons. They are also available for purchase for $5 with the proceeds offsetting the cost.

Chairman of Grand Lodge Education and Public Relations Committee: It was with great pleasure that we were notified that Brother Phillip Sherman, PM was appointed by the MW Grand Master Charles A. Booker to be the 2013 Chairman of the Education and Public Relations Committee for the State of Alabama. We wish him the best as he leads the Committee to spread Masonic Awareness across the State.

Chairman of Grand Lodge Finance Committee: It was with great pleasure that we were notified that Brother Paul Lamont, PM was appointed by the MW Grand Master John Strickling to be the 2015 Chairman of the Finance Committee for the State of Alabama. We wish him the best as he leads the Committee to secure the financial future of our Grand Lodge.

Pennies Program: To continue to maintain and support the remaining residents of the Alabama Masonic Retirement Home, it having been sold, we were asked to contribute a penny a day. It is a voluntary $3.65 contribution added to our yearly dues. 2013 is the third consecutive year each and every Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 member participated - 100%!

The Masonic Messenger: The Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama is a semi-annual newsletter that is mailed to all Masons in Alabama. The Inaugural Issue, Spring 2012, VOL. 1 - No. 1, features the articles Rising Sun To Host Fishing Tourny and Decatur Masonic Lodge Receives National Award For Its Excellence in Programs, Communications highlighting the activities of RSL29. Also included in this issue is an article by RSL29 member RWJGW John R. Strickling entitled MembershipMatters. The Fall 2012 Issue, VOL. 1 - No. 2 features an article, Child ID Program Needs Expansion by RSL29 member RWJGW John R. Strickling. The Spring 2013 Issue, Vol. 2 - No. 1 features 2 articles by Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 members. The article Grand Lodge of Alabama Child ID Program is authored by RWSGW John Strickling, Chairman of the Child ID Program. The article Rising Sun Lodge No. 29 A Brief History is authored by our Historian/Webmaster Claude Neal Hudson and submitted by Brother Phillip Sherman, PM, Chairman of the Education and Public Relations Committee. The Fall 2013 Issue features articles congratulating Rising Sun Lodge No.29 as one of the two Alabama lodges receiving the 2012 Mark Twain Award and results of the 2013 Hooked on Decatur Team Bass Fishing Tournament . What Have You Done Lately? by RSL29 member Parker Moore and A few Good Men by RWSGW John Strickling are articles also included in this issue. The Fall 2014 Issue, Vol 3 - No. 2, features a front page article Historical Marker Dedication by Claude Neal Hudson. Also in this issue is the article The Public Image Of Masons by RWDGM John Strickling
CLICK HERE to be redirected to the Grand Lodge website for the current and archived issues.