CLEARLAKE — A ceremony celebrating all that is good in our nation was held Thursday at Masonic Lodge No. 183. Congressman Mike Thompson delivered a flag that had flown over the nation”s capitol to the local chapter.
The event included introductions by Master of Ceremonies Gary Luck and a brief welcoming address by Worshipful Master Richard Gorman. Both men expressed their delight in participating in the occasion and thanked the approximate 50 in attendance.
Congressman Thompson also conveyed his pleasure in finally being available to present the flag to the Masons. “We”ve tried to do this flag presentation for quite some time,” he said, adding that schedule conflicts had delayed the event on several occasions. “But it worked out pretty well because here we are doing a flag presentation right before Independence Day.”
Thompson continued sharing answers to questions he and his constituents had, he said, in regard to flags that are said to have flown over the nation”s capitol. He said that when he first became a political leader and learned that there were such flags available for the politicians to present to outstanding civic organizations within their districts, that not only was he questioned by constituents about the authenticity of the flags, but he himself had wondered how that was possible.
Thompson explained that a special ceremony is held in the nation”s capitol during which the flags intended for presentation are raised. He said the flags are flown for a couple minutes then they lowered, folded and placed back in their boxes.
“This flag is a symbol of all the great things in our world,” Congressman Thompson said. “It is a special event to present one of these flags to an organization as deserving as the Masons here.”
Boy Scout Troop No. 44 Color Guard and Troop Leader Russ Perdock were on hand to present and raise the flag with tradition. The youngsters had the privilege of raising the flag on a brand new flag pole.
According to Brother Dick Lewis, who has been a Mason for 57 years, the organization decided last November to install a new flag pole. Support for the project was widespread throughout the community as well as the Mason brotherhood.
Concrete and mixer were contributed by Ron Layne of Layne Paving. Ray Silva, of RA Silva Construction and his son prepared the sight and poured the concrete. Bud and Mike Boyce of Clearlake Machine Shop completed the iron work. Ray Carmen also contributed to the project.
“Over a period of months we scheduled this thing and it finally came to fruition today,” Brother Lewis said. “It was a very moving ceremony for me today, with Congressman Thompson here with a flag that had flown over our capitol.”
Lewis said he appreciated the representation that was in attendance, such as the veterans of the American Legion, the Rainbow Girls, Boy Scouts, the congressman and his aide Brad Onorato and City of Clearlake Councilmember Joyce Overton. Konocti Unified School District Trustee Mary Silva was also in attendance.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
