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Biography: James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia in 1758. Monroe attended the College of William and Mary, fought with distinction in the Continental Army, and practiced law in Fredericksburg, Virginia. There is some dispute regarding the Masonic affiliation of Bro. Monroe due to the loss of lodge records. It appears that he was initiated on November 9, 1775 in St. John’s Regimental Lodge in the Continental Army. He later affiliated with Williamsburg Lodge No. 6 in Williamsburg, Virginia. The original records of Williamsburg Lodge No. 6, Williamsburg, Va., show (November 6,1775) that he was "recommended as a fit person to be admitted a member of this lodge and the motion recorded. On November 9, 1775, he was "preferred, received and balloted for; passed and accepted and entered an apprentice. The curious reader will note that he was not quite seventeen years and six months old at this time! His dues were paid through October 1780, but no record shows as to when he was raised. Tradition credits him membership in Kilwinning Cross Lodge No. 2, Port Royal, Va. Little is known of his Masonic life. There are no known records to confirm his advancement through the degrees but there is evidence
that Monroe was received as a Master Mason during a visit to a Tennessee lodge in 1819. He, in fact, visited Cumberland Lodge No. 8, at a meeting especially called to receive him in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 8 of that year. Like Washington, Monroe would serve two terms as President. He died on July 4, 1831 in New York.
BIRTH OF THE ARMY-JUNE 14, 1775
From: "Dave"
Date: November 21, 2007 12:32:56 PM EST
Subject: New Web version of Masonic Herald on line!!
Brethren,
Starting this November and monthly hereafter, there will be an eight-page supplement to The Virginia Masonic Herald being posted on the Grand Lodge’s website under the Masonic Herald section (right side of the screen) or you can use this link:
http://www.grandlodgeofvirginia.org/herald/2007/VMH%20Nov%202007%20Supp.pdf
This supplement has the bio and picture of our new Grand Master, Most Worshipful Edmund Cohen; his Installation address;
the 2007 Grand Annual Communication summary; resolution results; pictures of 50-year Masonic Veterans;
and a couple of Lodge happenings.
These supplements are planned to be posted around the 15th of the month from now on and will feature more Lodge events,
50-year Masonic veterans, and such, which are items I have not normally been able to get into the regular issues of the Herald.
The Virginia Masonic Herald will still be getting mailed to your home three times a year.
The first issue for this Masonic year is scheduled to be arriving at your home around the end of January.
Please let others know about this new way of getting out information to you about Virginia Freemasonry.
Fraternally,
Dave
Rt. Wor. David A. Burkus
Editor
Virginia Masonic Herald
757.469.6727
e-mail: vmheditor@cox.net
Next deadline: December 7, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 
Brother Marquis de Lafayette
September 16
1757 – 1834
When Lafayette learned of the struggle of the Americans in their endeavor to secure their independence
he resolved to come to the colonies to aid them in their efforts as a volunteer. He also persuaded several
French officers to come with him. Eventually he landed near Charleston, South Carolina, June 13, 1777,
and when the leaders learned of his mission, they welcomed him very hospitably. Later in the summer,
he came to Philadelphia and the Congress welcomed him as he came to serve without pay as a
volunteer. Since he represented the highest rank of French nobility and his motives were so patriotic
in the American cause, the Congress commissioned him a Major General on the 31st of July.
Later in the summer, he met General Washington and a friendship developed between the two men,
which lasted as long as Washington lived. During Lafayette's life, he never forgot the great American.
Lafayette was a member of Washington's staff and was wounded during the Battle of the Brandywine.
Later in the autumn, having recovered from his wound, he rejoined the American forces.
To the end of his life, Lafayette held firm for representative government in his country.
The great general died in 1834.
His fine work for American independence will never be forgotten,
and his name will always shine on the pages of our history.
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This article, featuring our National President, was reprinted from the Summer 2007 Issue of
The Virginia Masonic Herald
An official Publication of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M., of the Commonwealth of Virginia
A note from the Webmaster: Not long ago I received an email with the following attachment:
LAUS DEO
Two words are displayed on the aluminum cap atop the Washington Monument—Laus Deo.
No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are unaware they are there. But these words have been there for
many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation,
overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.
Laus Deo! Two unseen words, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful
nation in the world. So, what do these two Latin words mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"
Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the
monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father
of our nation, "Laus Deo.... Praise be to God!"
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major
segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles L'Enfant--a perfect cross imposed upon
the landscape, with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross. Separation of church and state was not, and is not, in the
Constitution. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning. In addition, within the monument are 898 steps and 50 landings.
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a
presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Also, when the
cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 many items were deposited within it including the Holy Bible presented by the
Bible Society. Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood of our first President, who’s Prayer for America follows:
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline
the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection
and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be
pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of
mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose
example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen."
As you probably guessed, over 92 percent of Americans like the idea that our Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase "under God." It is clear,
when one studies the history of our great nation, that Washington's America was one of the few countries in the entire world
established under the guidance, direction and banner of Almighty God, to whom was given all praise, honor and worship by the
great men who formed and fashioned her pivotal foundations. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", it's location,
or the architects but no one can forget it's meaning, or these words from Psalm 127:1: "Unless the Lord builds the house,
its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."
Let us remember to do our part, through prayers and sacrifice, to be the watchmen who stand guard.
Laus Deo!
This was especially interesting because our National President closes his messages with those words.
After reading the attachment, I looked it up in SNOPES to see what they had to say.
Supposedly they have the real word on the story in the attachment, and you can read their added information
by clicking on the following URL: