Serving Our Communities
Ceremony and service, cornerstones of the Craft.
By: Thomas L. Schenk
Grand Master of Masons in New Mexico
Brothers and Sisters of Our Masonic Family,
For the FIRST TIME EVER, the National Honor Guard Academy is being hosted in New Mexico in JUST ONE MONTH – August 13-18, 2023 by the Bernalillo County Fire Department. This annual nationwide training will actually be in Albuquerque!
This training provides our First Responders (and others) with the ability to properly honor those that give all in the line of duty, flag etiquette, procedures and commands, and the history and traditions that have been accepted across the United States. As this is not “necessary” to do the work, and costs $625.00, many departments don’t allocate money to send their people. Volunteer departments may not keep up with this type of training, and employer departments may have to cover the salaries of those they send.
WE CAN HELP – if a Lodge or Masonic Body gives a LOCAL department a scholarship for someone to attend, it might help a volunteer force to go, and/or mitigate the cost for an employing department; as well as introduce or solidify your community ties. Further, we are helping to spread the word – and the participation – and prove that New Mexico is a GREAT host for these types of training! Maybe they would even come to your next Installation to be the Honor Guard and post the Flags…
May I encourage you to consider this as an opportunity for our many organizations to make an impact on our communities and show that we appreciate the time, dedication, and service our Public Safety personnel give.
Please use the forms linked below to let us know your participation, and for further information from the Bernalillo County Fire Department.
Use this form to participate!
Use this form to request matching funds!
The NM Academy Opportunity
BCFD Host Sponsor Request!