GRAND MASTER'S
WORK PROJECT
GROUND BREAKING--8/19/2000
updated 8/21/00
www.gmwp.org/2001/groundbreaking.html
VISION 2013-HFH Task Force Chairman Brother Tom Boduch welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. He said that this house would be the 5th HFH home completely sponsored and built by Tennessee Masons since the Masonic-HFH partnership program was begun in 1996. He went on to say he was doubly proud this day, because he also serves as president of Roane County HFH (the host affiliate for the 2001 GMWP)--the 2001 GMWP house will be the 25th house completed by Roane County HFH since the affiliate began in 1992.
A prayer was offered (see photo at left) by Union Lodge #38 Chaplain Brother Marcus Stanfield. Brother Boduch then introduced the future homeowners--the McElroy family. The McElroys expressed their appreciation and eagerness to get started on their house.
M. W. Grand Master K. I. Wright then spoke and expressed how much he enjoyed working on "his" (i.e. the 2000 GMWP) house. He urged everyone to participate in the building of the McElroy's house. He then turned the proceedings over to then Deputy Grand Master, R. W. Brother Esco Owens. Brother Owens is shown in the photo at left addressing the crowd, while 2000 Grand Sword Bearer, Brother Burnice Anthony (far left) looks on. Also in the photo, (from right to left) are future homeonwers Darlene and Paul McElroy, and Grand Treasurer, Past Grand Master (1994) and founder of the VISION 2013 movement, M. W. Brother Tom Hager. Grand Master K. I. Wright is to Brother Hager's right (behind Brother Owens).
R. W. Brother Esco Owens and the McEloy Family (from left to right, Paul, Darlene, Amanda and Jeremy) break ground while Grand Master K. I. Wright and PGM Tom Hager look on. |
Roane County HFH Treasurer Franz Raetzer (far right) and board member Rev. Doug Hall break ground while the McElroys look on. Standing behind Franz and Doug is Roane HFH construction volunteer Elliott Whitesides. |
M. W. Brother K. I. Wright and his 2000 Grand Officers along with brethren who helped construct the 2000 GMWP house break ground. Earlier in the day, led by Brother Fred Laser, Worshipful Master of Charity Lodge #134, a visiting group of Maryland Masons conferred a Master Mason Degree in Eblen's Cave (Union Lodge's 29th Annual Cave Degree). Brother Laser is shown in the photo at right presenting Brother Boduch with a donation from the Degree Team. |
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Shown in the photo at left (from left to right) are R. W. Brother Owens, 2000 Grand Sword Bearer W. Bro. Burnice Anthony, District 18 Chairman Bro. Herb Greene, 2000 Junior Grand Deacon W. Brother Carl Howard, Rockford Lodge #459 Past Master and Treasurer Brother Melvin Giles, Rockford Lodge #459 Past Master Brother David Williamson, Roane County HFH Board Member Sandy Hamlett, Grand Master K. I. Wright, and 2000 GMWP construction volunteer Brother Joe Dillard.
Brothers Giles and Williamson have worked on every Grand Master's Work Project house. Blount County HFH, their home affiliate was the location of the first (1998) GMWP. Earlier this year, Roane HFH Board Member Sandy Hamlett, raised enough money in Roane HFH's annual walk-a-thon to sponsor a house herself, and sponsored Roane HFH's 21st House. Her husband, Brother Tom (not pictured) is a Member of Rockwood Lodge #403.
Shown in the photo at right are (from right to left) Union Lodge #38 Worshipful Master Eugene LaBounty, oldest living Past Master and Secretary Brother Henry Wattenbarger, and Sandy Hamlett. To Sandy's right are Linda Schultz and Andrew. Linda Schultz will be Roane County HFH's 24th homeowner. Her home will be built before the McElroys and will also be located in the HOPE sub-division located next to Union Lodge. Linda's house will be built by an all WOMEN crew!!! Construction of her home will begin in January 2001; the house will be dedicated on Mother's Day 2001.
The ceremony concluded with the McElroys again expressing thier gratitude to everyone. They invited everyone back during the 2001 CAVE DEGREE to see their new home. Paul extended a special invitation to Grand Master K. I. Wright to join him for watermelon on the front porch!
A very moving closing prayer was offered by Roane County HFH Board Member Rev. Doug Hall (pastor of the Kingston Church of Christ), who prayed for the day when there would be no more shacks and no more sub-standard housing in Roane County. Afterward everyone returned to the High School cafeteria across the street for a hearty meal, and entertainment by the Kerbela Shrine Temple Bluegrass Band.