Brethren,
This is (mainly) for info.
I received the following on the defence net.
The question of whether Toowoomba Lodge can assist in any way will be put to our business meeting tonight. Fortunately our WM also works for defence and knows that I plan to raise the matter.
UNCLASSIFIED
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Fw: Canada Lodge-Kandahar, Afganistan
Brothers All,
The August 2010 edition of "The Queensland Freemason" ran a story on
Page 12 about a brother of Aspley-Bald Hills Lodge lodge joining Canada
Lodge held at Kandahar Airfield. I let some friends in lodges in other
countries know that the "The Queensland Freemason" was available on
line, and I, in return, was sent the following information
*****
From: Terry Spalding-Martin <
tsmartin@rogers.com>
Date: Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 9:01 AM
Appearing in Hiram's Lighthouse, the Toronto East District newsletter of
which I am the editor, on July 1, 2010
Canada Lodge U.D. GRC - Kandahar
Canada Lodge U.D. (Under Dispensation) has been set up by the Grand
Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario (GLCPO) as a Military Lodge.
Look that up in your Masonic Encyclopaedia. It will have fraternal
relations with four other Canada Lodges, one in U.K., two in Ontario
(one of which is Canada Lodge U.D.), and one in Alberta.
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD AFGHANISTAN
Minutes 20 May 2010
Canada Lodge U.D. had its regular meeting on 20 May, held at Kandahar
Airfield Afghanistan. The Lodge opened at 07:30 PM with seven brothers
present. Sitting in the East was WM Rick Fulford, United #29, Brighton,
Prince Edward District, in the Province of Ontario, Grand Lodge of
Canada.
Others present were:
Marc Cyr, Civil Service Lodge #148, Ottawa (SW).
Joe Curry, The Beaches #473, Toronto Ontario (JW)
Nick Karsin, Manitoba Lodge #236, Cookstown Ontario
(IG)
Chris Carson, Mercer Wilson #678 Woodstock Ontario
(OG)
Richard Bradbury, Athens #16, Athens Alabama (SD)
Chris Partridge Pembroke Lodge #128, Ottawa District
#2 (Chaplain)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read by WM Fulford and one
error was noted by Brother Marc Cyr. His home Lodge is Civil Service
Lodge #148, Ottawa, not number 145 as recorded. The correction was made
and hearing no other errors or omissions the minutes were passed.
All brothers introduced themselves and where they were from. It was
noted by several of the Brethren, the tremendous amount of support that
Canada Lodge U.D. is receiving from Lodges back home. Offers of help are
coming in from several Lodges from throughout the country and even the
US. A good deal of regalia is already on route and the expected arrival
time is within three to four weeks. An inventory of what has been
shipped has been provided by WB Wayne Fraser, Grand Secretary, and
includes the
following:
14 Officer Aprons
15 Officer Collars
1 Masters Collar
1 Past Masters Collar
4 Past Masters Aprons
25 Master Masons Aprons
2 Fellowcraft Aprons
2 Entered Apprentice Aprons
2 Sets of Candidates Uniforms
With this list in mind, a list of items still required was compiled
which included:
Mosaic Pavement
Wands
Swords
Ashlars
Tracing Board
4 Tassels
Starry Firmament
Letter G
During correspondence with the DDGM, it was indicated that if a proper
degree team could be put together by Canada Lodge U.D.
that Grand Lodge would look upon that favourably, and would consider
granting dispensation to do degree work.
To that end, additional items will be required:
Cable Tow
Hood Wink
Jacobs Ladder
Wardens Lecture Boards
Alter Cushion
Some of these items can be produced from resources on KAF and others
will have to come from back home.
The consensus of the Brethren present was that we set a goal to prepare
ourselves for degree work, so that if the opportunity should present
itself, we would be ready. In any event, the skills and work learned
would not be in vain and could be taken back home to our respective
Lodges when we are finished our tours here in Afghanistan. The Brethren
chose the various sections of the work they would like to study and it
was decided that this would be the main focus of meetings in the
foreseeable future.
There being nothing further for the good of Masonry in general and for
this Lodge in particular, the Lodge closed in peace and harmony at 8:40
pm, followed by refreshments and a social time.
Rick Fulford WM
Canadian Lodge U.D. GRC in Kandahar
*****
Bro. Joe Curry is a member of The Beaches Lodge #473 GRC who is
currently serving in Afghanistan. Attached is a report from him of one
of the first Lodge (Canada Lodge U.D.) meetings in Kandahar.
Brethren,
Last night (May25th) the brethren of Canada Lodge U.D. were visiting the
Widow's Son Military Lodge #202, a Prince Hall Lodge here in KAF. While
lodge was about to open in the 3rd, KAF came under attack. We are
regularly attacked by indirect fire from rockets, but last night in
concert with indirect fire there was a frontal ground attack on the base
and we received word that the perimeter had been breached. The
Worshipful Master calmly directed the Tyler to lock the door and put a
round in the chamber of his M-4. This was done and we continued with the
sound of warning sirens and explosions outside (when there is a rocket
attack we are to stay under shelter anyway).
I am quite certain that in the history of Masonry the door of the lodge
has rarely been Tyled in this way.
I am glad to report that I am safe, and that while there were Canadians
injured last night in the attack, we did not suffer any loss of life.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Bro Joe Curry
- Dan Eidt
- published in Cinosam Jun 2010
Altar Cloth donated by Canada Lodge #532
The Alter Cloth was designed to fit over any small table and to be
easily folded into any type of small military transportation box.
"Afghanistan" was added to the Alter Cloth with Velcro so when the
troops rotated, the Alter Cloth could be used on missions if ever
required by simply changing the country.
The Grand Master arranged for its transportation to Afghanistan with the
Dispensation, the hand crafted working tools, W.M.
collar (formerly of Dentonia Lodge) and a supply of over 4,000 ($10
U.S.) Tim Horton's Coffee Cards.
_______________
tsm
Pickering, ON, Canada
Forums
I have a bit to do with our Chinooks over there. 
