----- Original Message ----- From: James A. Rodriguez To: Sarah Cc: [email protected] ; Russ LaineVETS ; McCammon Family ; John A. Stovall ; Paul Mattoon ; Rayedene ; battersby ; Troy8thCavGroves ; Kathy ; BEXAR ; George H. Ballentine ; Dan Sieczkowski ; GERMAN-TEXAN ; Bob Battaglia ; Jessie Degollado ; Gary Whitfield ; Albert Jamison ; Rudy KrischVETS ; stovall.office ; VirginiaNicholas.CHC ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2005 1:59 PM Subject: Re: letter from Scottish Rite Temple... Hello Sarah (and everybody else)- OK, you've convinced me (for what it's worth). I don't know Don Lively personally, but I will contact him to see if we can get permission to have a clean-up day with some Masonic and youth group volunteers. Since the cemetery is private property and I have no association with Alamo Lodge or the Alamo Masonic Cemetery Assocation (which, to the best of my knowledge, is the actual owner of the property), other than knowing a few of their members, I do not feel comfortable doing any kind of work out there without their knowledge or permission. If we can have the assistance of your corps of volunteers, many of whom may have some actual knowledge of what needs to be done, maybe we can make some progress. I don't think we can get anything done for this weekend (too soon to put the word out to a maximum number of people), but perhaps the following weekend would be possible. One point to make absolutely clear: I do not and cannot speak for "the Masons". I can only do my best to encourage people to volunteer for this project and I am hopeful that we can get a good response. I'll try to clear up some confusion about the organization of Freemasonry. The basic building block of our fraternity are the Masonic Lodges (like Alamo Lodge and the other 26 Lodges in Bexar County). When a man joins a Lodge, he progresses through three "degrees" and becomes a Master Mason. This Master Mason then has a choice: stay where he is and enjoy the fraternity through his Masonic Lodge, or expand his horizons and join one of the other organizations which limit their membership to Master Masons. There are several of these including the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Grotto. So, as you can probably guess, all Scottish Rite Masons are Masons, but not all Masons are Scottish Rite Masons. Each Lodge has its own elected officers, as do the Scottish Rite, York Rite, etc, and is responsible for its own activities. The San Antonio Scottish Rite Library & Museum, Inc., (which owns the Scottish Rite Cathedral) rents space to several Masonic Lodges to hold meetings. The Rainbows and DeMolays also meet in the building, though we do not charge them any rent for their meetings, parties and dances (which I hope you remember as fondly as I do). Who did you request the "official list of burials" from? I can ask also, but I'm not sure that they would necessarily give it to me if they would not give it to you. I would like a copy of the flyer you passed out, if possible. From your remarks, I hope that you are not equating one Lodge's difficulties in dealing with this issue with a general lack of sympathy from "the Masons." I would imagine that 90% of the Masons in Bexar County have no knowledge of the Alamo Masonic Cemetery and would probably be more familiar with the Masonic burial sections at the Sunset and Mission cemeteries. Maybe we can start changing that perspective. Thanks again, --James *********** Thanks James. Convincing you is worth a LOT!! Assuming the City is taking over, and the Masons hand over the deed and the $150,000 SOON, I think we should leave the major tree trimming and the restoration up to the experts at the Parks Department, but we should have the Master Gardeners and Battersby there to make sure we stay away from gravestones and good trees. Maybe Virginia could convince somebody from the Parks Department to show up. And of course KSAT will be there with bells on. You can even do the talking this time. ;-) Jessie will get them to announce the work day on TV, won't you Jessie? #1. We need to cut the brush around the perimeter NOW for the policemen, so they can see in easier, and the drug addicts are discouraged. #2. We need somebody to get the darn dumpster hauled off. If we put the brush piles by the curb, my new pal Gaitan Calletano, in charge of the environmental waste for that area, will haul it off, won't you Gaitan? Don't ask permission, ask forgiveness. #3. We need to carefully scrape the ground in Strangers' Row to reveal grave markers. I know how to dowse, finding them is no big deal. #4. Everybody needs to bring their own clippers, weed eaters, Deep Woods OFF, and ant spray. #5. I think the workers should take a tour of the cemetery, and introduce themselves to the residents. I'll be glad to show them around. Yes, I am equating one Lodge's difficulting in dealing with this issue with a general lack of sympathy from "the Masons." Aren't y'all an international brotherhood?Even the Grand Lodge of Texas didn't bother to respond to me. Frankly, YOU are the only person in the Masonic organization who ever bothered to respond, except for the Past Grand Master of Ireland. And you do speak for the Masons, so do your actions. Demolays grow up to be Masons. Mamma always told me that everything I did was a reflection on the Kleins. (when I was bad the Reveleys got credit) I think that goes for you and the Masons as well. Yup, I do remember the dances with fondness, but we had to wear those fluffy white dresses and I looked like one of Bo Peep's sheep. Don Lively is the person who has ignored my requests for a list of burials. I'm sending you a copy of the flyer Off List. Thanks James. I'll go tell my friends in the cemetery this afternoon. The Meusebachs first. Then I'm going to have a good cry. Muchas Gracias, Sarah

Sarah -- Great going -- thanks for all your efforts. And a special thank you for illustrating that there are a lot of people out there on our LIST. Hope more cemeteries and descendants get the picture of what a little HARD work will accomplish. You've been through a lot BUT there are a lot of people that will realize the benefits of your hard work. I have learned quite a few things from this project including great websites. Wish more days brought in as much information. Mary Lee Sloan >From: "Sarah" <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: James' answer... >Date: Thu, 9 Jun 2005 15:05:14 -0500