In the recent history of PMR 916, our business meeting on 5 March 2008 will be classified as the absolute best. The Lodge was opened at 19:00hrs and the few business points were resolved by 19:20hrs. Shortly after this the visiting Brr. took their seats and thus we were ready for the main program of the evening. The GM of the ACGL, MW Br. John M. Lonczynski was received in due form, accompanied by RW Br. Grady Adams, DGM and VW Br. Joseph Gadea, DDGM. WB Robert E. Young offered the gavel to the GM who accepted it just to say thank you for the reception. Br. Lonczynski was often in PMR earlier, but this was his last visit before passing the GM’s gavel to his (current) DGM.
Br. Bob made some short welcoming remarks to the Brr. present, especially to our visitors. We had 9 members and 11 visitors, three of them for the first time. Br. Paul Ezo conducted the first time visitors to the West of the Altar and each received a PMR coin . Next, the W Brr.. Peter Lohr and Bernd Detroy were escorted to the West of the Altar to receive their PMR Honorary Membership Certificate. Thereafter ACGL’s Annual Communication in Bad Kissingen was mentioned, 18-20 April 2008. Br. Bob encouraged everyone to attend at least the Saturday session.
When Br. Lonczynski assumed the gavel, the surprise session began. First he started to recall some of his most memorable visits to PMR and gave the GM’s pin to our Br. Scy., Ron Stradling. Br. John raised Br. Ron over two years ago and the contact between the two of them remained more than just “brotherly”. Next Br. Gadea was escorted to the West and given special praise for his consciencious work as DDGM, member of degree team and several ad hoc assignment for our GL. Br. Grady Adams received a special inlaid wood plaque with the ACGL’s insignia as a recognition for his work in the DGM’s position.
Then Br. John suddenly requested Br. Young to stand by the Altar and presented him with the ACGL Special Achievement Award for his long time and outstanding work for PMR and FM in general. An outburst of applause showed how much this special award presentation was approved by the Brr. present.
Br. Bob was not empty handed either. He presented the outgoing GM with a special picture, the Dom in Worms, and an appropriately placed PMR bijou, all in one frame. GM Lonczynski was speechless for a moment but as we offered him public grand honors, he regained his voice to say “thank you”.
Frau Müller spoiled us again with a well put together cold buffet for collation and this was really the time where/when everybody got together with the others on an informal basis. Especially for our first time visitors, it was an eye opening experience. We hope that they will come to visit us again.
And Br. Lonczynski? He assured us that he will come back to PMR even as PGM because to him it is not the title that’s important but the spirit of our small but most dynamic little Lodge in the ACGL.
So mote it be.
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