Monday, January 31, 2011

How The "Bazooka" Got Its Name

Brother Bob "Bazooka" Burns (1890-1956), WWII era comedian invented a wacky horn he used in his act and called it a "Bazooka." The horn was shaped like a tube with a flared end.  The WWII recoilless shoulder fired anti-tank rocket launcher had a similar shape and was nicknamed the "Bazooka" after Brother Bob's contraption.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

The Elevators That Run Sideways

The elevators that run sideways - In order to have unbroken floor space, the elevators in Alexandria's George Washington Memorial run sideways 35 feet as they rise 244 feet in 2 slanting shafts from the main floor to the observation deck.  At the time the memorial was built, this was considered an engineering marvel, and even today remains rather unique in the field of architectecture.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

William McKinley's Good Luck Charm

Brother William McKinley (1843-1901), 25th President of the United States, loved carnations and considered them good luck.  On September 6, 1901 McKinley gave his good luck charm, a red carnation that he was wearing, to a little girl in the receiving line at the Pan-American Exposition.  Seconds later, an assassin struck shooting him and wounding him fatally.

The End of Brother George Washington's Lineage

Although Brother George Washington had no children, his lineage continued through his younger sibling, John Augustine Washington (1736-1787).  Brother Lawrence Washington (1854-1920), John's great-great grandson and great-great grandnephew of George Washington died January 28, 1920, the last male heir in the Washington line.  He was a member of Alexandria Washington Lodge 22, Alexandria, Virginia.  Lawrence had two daughters, both of whom died childless, thus forever ending the direct lineage back to the first President.

Will Rogers

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip." -Brother Will Rogers (1879-1935), Claremore Lodge 53, Claremore, Oklahoma

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

MWB John Marshall

Most Worshipful Brother John Marshall (1755 - 1835) was 4th Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, and two-term Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Virginia (1793-1795).  In August, 1895, the United States honored MWB Marshall by issuing his likeness on a $5 postage stamp.  In today's currency, that amounts to a whopping $129! The stamp was so expensive there is no record of its use until March, 1896.  Subsequently, the largest existing block of these stamps was discovered on a parcel containing containing 14 of them, amounting to over $1,800 in postage in today's dollars.  In 1902, the Post Office redesigned the stamp, and in the fall of 2010, one of the stamps in mint condition sold for over $3,000.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Lodge That Stayed Open For 50 Years


Hiram Lodge 40, Raleigh North Carolina, was in session when news of President Lincoln's assassination arrived.  Presiding Master John Nichols did not wait to close the Lodge as Brothers rushed to return to their homes.  The Lodge remained open for 50 years!  In a special ceremony on the 50th anniversary of the opening, April 17, 1915, WB John Nichols himself presided over the official closing.