Aug. 7 was a red letter day for the Flathead Valley Masonic Fraternity. As is the custom, there is an annual officer’s installation in all Masonic Lodges. This year, with the theme of unity, all seven Flathead Valley Lodges thought it would try to do something a bit different by simultaneously having all the Lodges’ installations, at one venue.
Taking the “unity: concept a step further, it was decided to show our Masonic support for the American military by inviting them to join in the festivities. Following the public installation of officers, the Masons would put on a barbecue for our special invited guests from the local U.S. Army Reserve units including: 495th Combat Service Support Battalion; 163rd Cavalry Regiment Combined Arms Battalion (readying for deployment); 639th Quartermaster Company (having just returned from Iraq).
The Masons hoped to show a small, but heartfelt token of appreciation for the young men and women preserving our American way of life.
The festivities were held in Rollins at the Blacktail Mountain Ranch owned by Ed Jonas, Worshipful Master elect at Kalispell Lodge # 42.
The installing Grand Lodge officer was Right Worshipful Grand Junior Warden, Thom Chisholm, from Plains.
About 200 Masons, family members and military personnel with families were part of the celebration. A beautiful day, outstanding barbecue, and in a perfect Montana setting, was the order of the day enjoyed by all.