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Notes from the East
	July 2026 Brethren and friends, When the American War of Independence broke out, the tenets of the Craft were put to the ultimate test on the battlefield. Numerous key figures of the Revolution were dedicated Masons who refused to view their fraternal duties as separate from their civic responsibilities; rather, their shared commitment to truth and liberty fueled their fight against tyranny. George Washington fre - quently attended Military Lodges during the conflict, utilizing the sacred bond of brotherhood to foster trust, unity, and resilience among a fragile, under- funded Continental Army facing overwhelming odds. Meanwhile, brilliant minds like Benjamin Franklin leveraged Masonic networks abroad to secure crucial foreign alliances, proving that the principles nurtured within quiet Lodge rooms were foundational to the birth of a new nation. No one epitomized this devotion to the Craft quite like Dr. Joseph Warren, the Grand Master of Massachusetts. A respected physician and a chief architect of the early revolutionary movement, Warren refused to watch the conflict from a position of safety. Though newly commissioned as a Major General, he chose to enter the muddy redoubt at Bunker Hill as a volunteer private soldier, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his fellow citizens. His death during the final British assault stripped the young nation of one of its most promising Founding Fathers, yet Warren’s ultimate sacrifice remains a powerful testament to the lengths a Brother will go to defend his principles and his people. Remarkably, this fierce devotion to liberty did not harden the hearts of the Brethren; instead, the tenet of Brotherly Love frequently transcended the brutal divides of the war itself. History records extraordinary instances where American and British Masons extended mercy across enemy lines. When the Masonic constitution and regalia of a British regiment were captured, General Washington famously ordered them returned under a guard of honor, proving that a shared commitment to higher principles outlasted any earthly conflict. Similarly, wounded soldiers on both sides who signaled their fraternal affilia - tion were routinely granted medical relief and protection by enemy officers who honored their sacred vows of Charity above the politics of the crown. Ultimately, the story of these wartime Masons reminds us that true strength lies not in the weapons we wield, but in the values we refuse to surrender. They proved that even in our darkest hours of division, we can choose to elevate our shared humanity and build a society rooted in liberty and mutual respect. Their legacy is an enduring beacon, inspiring each of us to square our actions by the virtues of compassion and integrity, proving that, when we build on a foundation of brotherhood, the structures we create can withstand any storm. Happy Fourth! I wish you a summer of fun and refreshment. Fraternally, Craig Cabot Willis Worshipful Master	Trestleboard 2026 July June May April March February 2025 December November October September June April March January

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