Copyright (c) 2011 -
Union Lodge # 3
A.F. & A.M.
McMinnville, OR
Special Announcements
Brothers,
I recently had the privilege of presenting two 60 year Jewels to members of Union Lodge #3.
Just these two men alone represent over a century of masonry in our Lodge. On June 17th I was joined by MWB Bill Oldham, Past Grand Master 1992, WB Glenn Shipman, and Brother Lorie Harrell in presenting Brother Bob Ballard with his 60 year Jewel. Brother Ballard, 99 years old, was born and raised in McMinnville. He joined McMinnville Lodge in 1946 after returning from WWII in Europe. Bob was working with the US Postal Service when WWII started and he was activated with the 104th Infantry and served in Europe. Eventually Bob become the Post Master for McMinnville. He and his wife Nona of 75 years still live in the same house they built in 1962. They were recently featured in an Oregonain article about marriage longevity.
WB’s Glenn Shipman, Bob Orr, Brothers Lori Harrell and Dick Duer joined me on June 20th to present Brother Bill Manning with his 60 year Jewel at Hillside Manor. It also happened to be Bills 90th Birthday and his family had flown in from Texas and California to celebrate. They were present for the presentation of his Jewel also. Bill became a Mason in 1944 while still in the Navy. His wife Evelyn was a member of OES and instrumental in talking to him about Masonry. He was raised in Point Loma #620. With 67 years in Masonry, Bill is looking forward to his 75 year Jewel.
WB Rod Brown, Jr.
Click a photo, below, for a slide show of the presentations.