Text Box: ‘Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone, in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone. I had come down the chimney with presents to give, and to see just who in this home did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see, no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand, on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds, a sober thought came through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary, I found the home of a soldier, once I could see clearly the soldier lay sleeping, silent and alone curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The Face was so gentle, the room in such disorder, not how I pictured a United States soldier. Was this the hero of whom I’d just read? Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night, owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon round the world, the children would play and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas Day. The all enjoyed freedom each month of the year because of the soldiers, like the one lying h ere on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home. The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The solider awakened and I hear a rough voice, “Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice; I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more, my life is my God, my Country, my Corps.” The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shivered from the cold night’s chill. I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark, night this guardian of honor so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure, whispered, “Carry on Santa, its Christmas Day, all is secure.” One look at my watch, and I knew he was right . Merry Christmas my friend, and Text Box: Address Updates, Widows List & Other Notes Text Box: For all practical purposes, not to mention the dollars and cent issues of the situation, it is helpful to get changes of address from members of Scioto Lodge #6 F. & A. M. and all Chillicothe York Rite Bodies in an effort to keep you informed. Dues notices have been returned, Card and other communications sent to widows who are maintained on our Widows Mailing list, have been returned, with notations: Addressee Not Known. Undeliverable as addressed, No such address and so on. “The Trestle Board” is a 3rd class mailing and not usually forwarded. On another note, The Chillicothe Masonic Bodies uses a phone tree to make contact with its membership base. If you are not receiving calls and wish to OR if you are receiving call and DO NOT wish to, please call the Office of the Secretary at 740-774-3785 to report it. (leave a message if necessary)

Calendar

2

The Life of an Officer

3

Annual Inspection

3

Send a Card to a

Soldier

3

Past Masters’

Convocation

4

The Level and the Square

4

VA Bingo

4

Seventh Masonic

District Meeting

4

Chillicothe York Rite Inspections

5

Founders’ Dinner

6

Did You Know?

6

Endowed

Membership

6

Camp Sherman Dedication

7

Melissa—An

Amputee

8

December 2007

A Publication of the Chillicothe Masonic Bodies

Volume 6, Issue 12
Text Box: The Trestle Board