St George’s Lodge NMA Visit
The Brethren, family & friends of St George’s Lodge No 242 recently enjoyed a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum, aptly on St Georges Day (23 rd April) organised by the lodge Charity Steward Bro Ross Williams.
Bro Ross has been a Freemason for 11 years and has visited the NMA on numerous occasions. Being a keen motorcyclist and ex Royal Air Force Policeman, he has attended the annual Ride To The Wall (RTTW) for the last 8 years, paying his personal respects to a fallen friend from the Iraq war of 2003.
Note – RTTW is a unique motorcycling event which gives motorcyclists an opportunity to gather together at a place of remembrance, to pay their respects to our serving and fallen service men and women and in doing so, raise funds solely for the purpose of perpetuating their memory and recognising the sacrifice made.
On one of these visits, he was pleased to have discovered the Freemasons Memorial and this caused him to reflect that with the diversity of those organisations represented at the NMA many of the brethren of the lodge must have a direct connection to the site.
On becoming the Lodge Charity Steward Bro Ross decided that he would organise a visit to the NMA so the brethren could spend a day there, reflecting on the ultimate sacrifice so many have given (and continue to give) in the pursuance of a safe free world for all.
Whilst predominantly organised to enable people to experience the NMA and all that it represents, this was the perfect opportunity to bring together friends old and new following their long separation precipitated by the COVD pandemic.
Over 30 people attended, all having a great day and thoroughly enjoying themselves, bringing back memories of fallen friends and comrades, and being able to reflect on the NMA grounds and memorials and the sentiments they represent.
Not being one to overlook an opportunity for charitable giving and the NMA trip being no exception, Bro Ross enabled those attending to “freely give”, raising in excess of £200 for West Riding Masonic Charity.
