Written by: SGIG Dr. M. Shawn Fogle, 33 ° , Staff Writer
Greetings fraters! It is quite the honor to serve as the United Supreme Council ’ s Director of Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. One of the committee ’ s goals is to honor and highlight the service of those who have answered the nation ’ s call, as well as provide valuable information about Veterans Administration benefits and legislation impacting veterans. Less than 1% of all Americans will ever answer the call to wear the fabric of this nation and accept the unlimited liability clause in defense of her freedom. For those who answered that call, we thank you and are eternally grateful for your service.
This organization is steeped in military tradition since its inception, and many of our ceremo- nies have military origins. Brothers of this Council have served and continue to serve in every seg- ment of the military, some even representing the highest levels of military leadership. We have served on every continent and in every conflict with dignity and courage. For this year ’ s session, the committee petitioned the Sovereign Grand Commander for his blessing to host a special event for our military members and received enthusiastic support to hold the first ever “ Heroes Breakfast ” at the session. He could not have been more emphatic with his “ yes ”, and he challenged us to make this an enduring part of our annual planning.
On Friday morning at 7:30 A.M., approximately 45 - 50 active and former military brothers from five of our six military branches made their way to the restaurant in the hotel to kick off the Heroes Breakfast. Members of the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee were on hand to greet brothers and assist them with getting settled in. The committee director, Illustrious Dr. M. Shawn Fogle opened up the breakfast by thanking everyone for attending the inaugural event and enthusiastically welcoming our invited guest speaker, Ms. Julie Baxter Payer, Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana
Department of Veterans Affairs and her Deputy Assistant Secretary and fellow Prince Hall Mason, Brother Earnest Buckner. Special thanks to SGIG Richard Adams for coordinating with Deputy Secretary Baxter Payer ’ s office to secure their attendance at the breakfast. During her highly - informative briefing and Q&A session, she spoke to attendees about the different programs and
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