Gulf Beach Lodge held an Empty Chair Ceremony this evening to recognize and celebrate those who have served in the armed forces or as first responders; especially those who were Freemasons.
The Empty Chair Ceremony was first performed in the United States to honor Corporal John Holt Beever, a member of the U.S. Cavalry, and a Freemason under the Grand Lodge of England. He was killed in action on the northern plains; being the first known Mason to give his life in uniform in the region then known as the Dakota Territory.
The Ceremony comes to us from the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.
The Dakota Territory in the 1860s extended westward to the Rocky Mountains from Minnesota and Iowa. It bordered north of Nebraska and included significant portions of the future states of Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
This solemn ceremony was very well received by all in attendance.