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| The Mississippi Masonic Confederate Degree Team |
THE MISSISSISSIPPI MASONIC CONFEDERATE DEGREE TEAM
The
Mississippi Masonic Confederate Degree Team was organized in
May 2012 to help promote interest in free masonry and
granting members a chance to become proficient in their work, while allowing
them a chance to gain knowledge in the fraternity during the War Between
the States. Each member is requested to research clothing and equipment
used during the period from April 1861 to April 1865, obtain a uniform
and articles used by the Confederate forces during that time
frame. He may choose from any branch of service including medical,
chaplains, suttlers (civilians), and if desired Union,
before he can participate in the degrees. Each member is also asked to be able
to relate a short account of a Masonic event that took place
during the Civil War, such as the Masonic
Rights given to Lt. John E. Hart of the USS Albatross
by Feliciana Lodge #31 in St.
Francisville La. The funeral contained both Union and
Confederate forces. Members may also tell about their ancestors, who
were in the war, relate stories of their lodges or towns or battles close to
their homes. These are to be short so as not to interfere with the importance of
the degree or slighting the candidate.
We did not form this team to make a political statement or to give the impression that only Confederates were the ones who practiced the True Tenants of Freemasonry during the Cival War because this would be invalid. I received a few e-mails when we first began suggesting we change the name because many Southerners joined the Union. This was a war in which many families were torn apart, some never to recover; friends were pitted against each only to face one another in some of the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. Many found themselves holding the dying and mutilated bodies of their fathers, sons, brothers, and longtime friends; such was the case of a father discovering his dying son. The son was a Confederate soldier, the father Union, being unable to play "Dixie" at his son's funeral he was allowed to perform a song which is still used today at military burials, known by all as "Taps".
To date we have
conferred five Entered Apprentice Degrees and Three Master Mason Degrees and are
looking forward to doing more. Our active members are Gene Vincent,
Larry Minyard, James Whitaker, Leslie Reeves, George Frazier, Bruce Childress,
Kelly Martin, Terry Morgan, Richard Rodgers, Wade Johnson, Ed Jernigan, Gerald
Klein, Edsel Carpenter, Stu Wright, and Stuart Wright.
We did not form this team to make a political statement or to give the impression that only Confederates were the ones who practiced the True Tenants of Freemasonry during the Cival War because this would be invalid. I received a few e-mails when we first began suggesting we change the name because many Southerners joined the Union. This was a war in which many families were torn apart, some never to recover; friends were pitted against each only to face one another in some of the bloodiest battles ever fought on American soil. Many found themselves holding the dying and mutilated bodies of their fathers, sons, brothers, and longtime friends; such was the case of a father discovering his dying son. The son was a Confederate soldier, the father Union, being unable to play "Dixie" at his son's funeral he was allowed to perform a song which is still used today at military burials, known by all as "Taps".
Other members who do not yet have uniforms or have not worked in any degree are Chris Wilbourn, Robert Moore, Louis Correro, Randy Welch, Zack Case, Walt Karr, Jamie McMillian, Paul Reese, Ron Gardner, James Waldo, and Ray Keith. We have lost one of our original members since we started. Brother James Fullilove passed away from cancer a short time ago.
I conceived the idea of forming a degree team after attending a Masonic Cave Degree in Tennessee. The degree was conferred by a Masonic Civil War Degree Team. On our way home those of us who attended began discussing the idea of forming our own team. We were not sure how to start or if it would be alright with the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A.M. Sometime later we began hearing about the Mountain Men Masonic Degree Team, so I inquired if we could form our team and got the go-ahead. I have been a War Between the States "re-enactor" for about fifteen years as well as other time periods before that. I had been to re-enactments and talked with other Masons who thought it was a good idea. We all had Confederate uniforms so we decided on the name and started recruiting members.
I believe another
reason for doing this is to honor those who gave their
lives and limbs to defend their beliefs, both Federal and
Confederate.
In doing research on my family I found that many of them were Masons.
One of my g-g grandfathers was a Chaplain with 10th Texas Infantry and also Mason. My grandfather was a Past Master of Williams Arizona lodge #38 in 1931 and a Veteran of WWI. My father was also a Past Master of Williams Arizona lodge #38 in 1951 and a Veteran of WWII.
In doing research on my family I found that many of them were Masons.
One of my g-g grandfathers was a Chaplain with 10th Texas Infantry and also Mason. My grandfather was a Past Master of Williams Arizona lodge #38 in 1931 and a Veteran of WWI. My father was also a Past Master of Williams Arizona lodge #38 in 1951 and a Veteran of WWII.
Although my dad and
grandfather have little to do with the War Between the
States their influence on my life seemed to fit into my ideals for
this team. It is a tribute to them and all
veterans.
You may contact me at < desertrat2013@yahoo.com > for
more information on The Mississippi Masonic Confederate Degree
Team (MMCDT), how to join , or to schedule us to visit
your lodge to confer a degree.
Fraternally,
Grenada Masonic Lodge No. 31 F&AM
Mississippi Masonic District
10
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| Bro Gene Vincent PM - Greneda Masonic Lodge No. 31 F&AM |
Tupelo Masonic Lodge No. 318 F&AM
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i would like to know when the team will be putting on degrees so i could attend thanks hqhyatt 33@gmail .com thanks harold hyatt forest hill 613 at bjackson miss.
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