(Emory, TX 1-22-04) On January 20th, Mars Hill Lodge # 1440 hosted a banquet honoring the past District Deputy Grand Masters who have served in that capacity from Masonic District 11. Guest speaker, RW Elmer Murphee III, provided the honorees with an entertaining and informative message to cap off the festive occasion, as newly installed District 11 DDGM, E. Jason Rabe and the members of Mars Hill Lodge played host to this distinguished group of Masons from Northeast Texas.

The honorees included 19 former DDGM‚s from Flora #119 (Quitman), Yantis #382 (Yantis), Mineola #502 (Mineola), Gus Garrison #1273 (Winnsboro), Hawkins # 1293 (Hawkins), and Mars Hill #1440 (Emory). The senior member of the group was 91 years young, Bro. Thomas Wyatt of Garrison Lodge, who served the Grand Lodge as DDGM in 1965 under then Grand Master J. Carrol Hinsley. Brother Wyatt provided the group with some of his more entertaining events that occurred during his Masonic years. It is estimated the honored guests represented more than 50 years of devoted service to the Grand Lodge of Texas in various Grand Lodge positions, plus many more years of devoted service to Texas Masonry. District 11 is proud to honor these outstanding Masons for their years of service to the fraternity.