MacArthur Installation 2010

After rescheduling several times due to major illness and other minor catastrophes, MacArthur Lodge No. 183 finally held its installation of officers earlier this month on Saturday, March 6th. Somewhat unexpectedly, Most Worshipful Brother Robert E. Ring was obligated as Master of lodge during this event. Brother Ring was elected at a last-minute meeting in order to replace the then Master-elect, Bro. Larry Drape, who could not be installed due to a serious medical condition. Bro. Ring will undoubtedly bring a plethora of Masonic experience to the job since he has previously served as Master of MacArthur Lodge in 1996 and 1999.

Most Worshipful Brother Jaime Y. Gonzales served as the installing officer, making the trip from the Philippines for the occasion. Bro. Gonzales served as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines for the 2007-2008 year. This is the second time that Bro. Gonzales has installed the officers of MacArthur Lodge. As a result of his visits and frequent correspondences, he has developed a deep friendship with many of the MacArthur members.

As is somewhat peculiar to brethren from other constitutions, many ladies were in attendance for most of the installation ceremony. The Grand Lodge of the Philippines considers the installation to be an open or "untyled" event, so it is common to see many non-masons in attendance, including wives and significant others. In addition to friends and family, many fellow masons brought fraternal greetings from their mother lodges to the newly installed master, including brethren from the Korean lodges Han Yang No. 1048 and Harry S. Truman.

Following the ceremony, guests gathered for a steak dinner. During the banquet, Most Worshipful Brother Gonzales gave an insightful speech on the the enduring spirit of Freemasonry amid rapidly changing times. After dinner, drinks were served and everyone left content and satisfied, which was not a bad way to start off the Masonic year.

Installation

Installation is always the highlight of the year, especially for lodges in Korea. It gives us a chance to reunite with old friends and allows us to welcome visitors who have traveled far and wide to share in the bond of brotherhood.

This year, warmer weather greeted the members and guests when they arrived in Korea for the annual installation of Scottish lodges. Traveling from Hong Kong, our District Grand Master, Brother Arjun Hotwani, once again headed the deputation from the District Grand Lodge of the Far East. We were very pleased to see some new faces making the trip this year and we hope that they thoroughly enjoy their visit. We are also thankful for all the returning members, such as Bro. Hopkins who made the long trip from Scotland (it's a wonder that his work schedule mysteriously allowed him to be in Korea during installation...again).



This year, the installation of Scottish lodges began at Lodge Pusan No. 1675. On Saturday, November 28, Brother Park (above) was installed into the chair of King Solomen.


After a short plane trip on Sunday, the delegation from the District Grand Lodge of the Far East arrived in Seoul. On the following Monday, Bro. Charles Duerden (above) was installed as the Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Han Yang No. 1048.



The installation of Scottish lodges in Korea concluded in Pyeongtaek on Tuesday when Brother Michael Stone (above) took his is obligation as Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Harry S. Truman No. 1727 and was invested with the jewel of that office.