updated 4/14/04
www.gmwp.org/2004/groundbreaking.html

Despite rain, wind and snow flurries (in April?), over 30 Masons, Grand officers and their family members gathered at the building site in Cleveland for a "short-form" ground breaking ceremony.

The building site is shown in the photo at right. Cleveland Habitat For Humanity recently purchased 2 large lots located at the corner of Pond and 14th Streets in Cleveland. Ultimately, 10 houses will be built on this property. The 2004 GMWP house will be the 38th house built by Cleveland HFH since 1990. (To make a donation, please click here).

Cleveland HFH Board President Don Rollens welcomed everyone, and thanked them for coming out in the rain. He mentioned that he and the other board members were grateful to our Masonic family for working with their affiliate and were looking forward to beginning construction.

Mr. Rollens is shown in the photo at left. Afer his comments, Deputy Grand Master, Reverend Brother Paul Phillips (shown in the photo at right) offered a very moving prayer.

GMWP Director (and 2004 Grand Tiler) Brother Tom Boduch then thanked everyone for braving the wind, rain and cold. He mentioned that this house will be the 11th house built through the Grand Master's Work Project program. He then recognized several Cleveland area Masons who made this particular project possible.

He recognized Past Grand Master Charles Eads (shown in photo at left) for his efforts in nurturing the VISION 2013 movement through its early days when he served as Grand Master in 1995 and Cleveland Lodge #134's Worshipful Master Brother Robert Shipman (shown in the photo at right).

M. W. Brother Eads stated he was proud of all that VISION 2013 accomplished, but also said that when he was involved in planning sessions in 1994, he never thought that 10 years later he'd be standing in the pouring rain at a VISION 2013 event! Brother Shipman is a building contractor who will help coordinate local building efforts once construction begins. He thanked his officers present for their support.

Brother Boduch then recognized Brother Walter Brooks, his wife Helen and Brother Jarvis Gober and his friend Imogene Wood. Brothers Walter and Jarvis and Imogene operate Cleveland HFH's re-store. This is a facility where donated items are resold to raise money for the affiliate. OES Sister Helen Brooks also served on Cleveland HFH's Family Selection Committee for several years. Brother Walter also mentioned that Brother Bill Sylar (Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council) has also worked extensively at the re-store and thanked him for his work.

Brother Walter (show in the photo at left) then introduced our partner family and future homeowner--Tracy Nale and her daughter Juliette (shown in the photo at right). Tracy also is the mother of 4 older boys including a set of 6 year old twins! The boys were at school and not able to be present. Tracy works at Erlanger Medical Center as an Emergency Medical Technician and is pursuing a nursing degree. She has already completed many of her required sweat equity hours--required of all HABITAT homeowners prior to home ownership.

Brother Boduch then introduced Grand Master Richard Durham who also thanked everyone for coming out in the rain. He thanked everyone who has worked to make the 2004 GMWP possible. The Grand Master (see photo at left) then officially began the project by turning the first shovel of dirt.

After a closing prayer offered by Grand Chaplain R. W. Brother Roy Etherton, the Grand Officers and Tracy posed for a final photo. Shown in the photo at right are (from left to right) Grand Marshal W. Brother Lee Burchfield, Grand Chaplain R. W. Brother Etherton, Deputy Grand Master R. W. Brother Paul Phillips, Tracy and Juliette, Grand Master Richard Durham and Grand Tiler and GMWP Director W. Brother Tom Boduch.

Everyone then proceeded to Benton Tennessee for a very successful District 17 meeting.

(Photos by Carl McKissack)

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