 Masonic Charity in Memory of my Father-Brother, James Stephen James, 1917-2006  My Mom & Dad -- Their Wartime Wedding Day, 1941   Capt. J.S. James 1917 - 3 July, 2006 |
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My Dad was a Second World War Veteran, serving the full tour from September 1939 through 1945. He began as a Private in the Artillery and retired as a Reserve Army Captain in the 1960's. In between he was a Provost Sgt., Dispatch Rider; Air Force Sgt. Pilot, then Flying Officer, driving unarmed B-24's to North Africa. (Sorry, as aircraft captain, Dad carried an unloaded 38.) Masonically, my Father-Brother was raised in 1950. He died in his 55th year as a member of our Gentle Craft. As an only son, Dad's Masonic items came to me after his passing last year. It's a shame that they sit in a box. I have been involved in Masonic charity/Relief work on the Internet for at least 10 years, helping when possible where I could. I was always able to ask Dad for a few bucks when there was a need to be met. I have decided that I do NOT want his masonic items to lie in a crawl space gathering dust. I very much want the items to continue their labours. So, below you will see a small group of bits and bobs which I bought for my Dad over the years as Christmas gifts; excluding the apron of course as he received that I believe in 1950 when he was raised. Although, it could be an apron he purchased at a later date. Anyway, this is a raffle. Tickets are $5.00. Please buy as many as you would like and advise me please by email to: rtj@cybermason.net as to your intentions. I will respond to your email providing raffle numbers which I have set up on a spreadsheet. Already, $295 in tickets have been spoken for and the funds turned over to charitable needs. The items below are numbered, meaning there will be a first prize, a second and so forth. Below each photo is the item number and a bit of scribbling from me via background regards the item. When the raffle will end I do not know. I suppose after I am truthfully able to pull out every dollar possible for charity. Once that is done I will close the spreadsheet, turn it over to an independent brother, either an accountant or a lawyer, then I will seek out another brother to pull sufficient numbers out of the air and award the prizes. There will be NO overhead from this charitable endeavour. I will pay all shipping and packaging costs. As always, my sincere thanks for your brotherly love and affection. Let us together spread our light as my Dad is doing with his contributions below. Rtj/PM ALL proceeds go to a brother in need. Remember, you aren't just bidding on an item, you are helping a brother in need. |
First Prize: My Dad's Apron
A Master Mason's Apron with gold edge signifying a 100-year lodge. The
apron
has seen much travel. But, because of the gold edge I am uncertain that
this
is Dad's original from his raising in 1950. You will note the blue
felt
around the apron -- that is the folding case which comes with it.
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Second Prize ... Masonic Blanket
This item is a Masonic Throw-Blanket I gave Dad for Christmas 5 years
ago.
He kept it on the top of his bed at the nursing home and was pretty
proud,
showing it to everyone who came to visit.
Third Prize Jewellery Box, leaded glass S&C
This is an item I had specially made for Dad ... Another Christmas
present
from years gone by. The lid is stained glass as you can see. The box
is
velvet lined ... Apparently the container is cherry wood.
Fourth Prize Non descriptive trinket box ...
A fair bunch of stuff in here.Shrine pins, Royal Canadian Army Cufflinks. Etc.
That's it my brothers.
Your help to build the charity coffers would be greatly appreciated by me and by my Dad.
Many thanks,
Rtj/PM
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