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Installing Chaplain opened with prayer; Installing Secretary Clifford H. Eastman Jr. Then announced the names
of the brethren chosen to serve as officers for the year 2002.
New officers are Bruce Hart Kominz, Worshipful Master, J Edward R. Gempka, Senior Warden; Fremont H.
Swain, Junior Warden; Clifford Eastman, Jr. Secretary;
Kenneth J. MacDonald, Treasurer; Robert I. Uhlendorff, Grand Lodge Representative; Harry A. Welch, Jn,
Junio1§ Q Deacon; Ernest E Brown, Senior Steward; Gabriel Nizetic, Junior Steward; Harold C. Long, Tyler
and Assistant Treasurer; E James Welch, Assistant Secretary} Harry A. Welch, Sr. Chaplain; Charles B. Durgin,
Marshall. (Six of these officers are Past Masters.)
Installing Marshall, Eighth Masonic District Deputy Grand Lecturer-Paul M. Leary escorted Master Elect Bruce
H. Kominz to be installed. After receiving the benefit of .praye1, Kominz was charged with the regulations of
Freemasonry and presented with the jewel of his office by Installing Officer Smith.
The Three Great Lights of Masonry (the Bible, Square and Compass) were presented with the admonition to live
by the principles each stand for truth, duty harmony and respectability The Rule and Line (representing virtue
and morality) were presented,-as were the traditional Constitution, Warrant and Bylaws of the Lodge
(constituted April 17, 1803, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
“By ancient custom and usage the Tile (tall silk top hat) has ever been regarded as a symbol of dignity and high
office,” stated Smith; I now urge you to wear this Tile, that belonged to your wife’s grandfather; Frank A.
Moore (Past Master of a Massachusetts Lodge) and ever be reminded of the dignity and importance of the high
office you now hold.” Smith then placed the hat upon the head of the new Master and presented him with the
gavel of his office. ~The gavel belonged to Michael S. Hart (Kominz’s grandfather) 33 rd degree Mason and Past
Master of his Blue Lodge in New Orleans, La. Installing Marshall Leary then escorted Kominz to his chair in
the East. Public Grand Honours were given and all other officers present were installed and invested with the
jewels and implements of their office.
The delegation from Massachusetts was then recognized and invited to present the travelling, Gavel to M.W
Grand Master of N.H., Jeremy J. Sawyer; and Worshipful Master Bruce H. Kominz., The Gavel, which
originated in Lodge Wyong 247, (New South Wales, Australia,) has travelled from its home, then through-out
the top of New South Wales, the through-out the Southern sector of Queensland, (Australia), England and
America since it began its bon voyage in 1993. In a short trip around the room, Sawyer and Kominz displayed
the Gavel and its engraved holding plaque. In three months its small, handmade suitcase will be packed and the
Gavel will travel to a new hitherto undermined Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Accompanying Forrest E.
Shaw (WM) was George S. Bayley (S.W.)
Charles E ‘Williams (JW); David C. (Ellis Secretary,) Edwin E. Sarvela (J.D.); Christopher J. Belmont and
Raymond J H. Salminen.
In his official remarks to the assembly Kominz gave an analogy of his office, saying “Being the Master of the
Lodge is like being the Captain of a Pirate Ship; you’re voted in by the crew and you have virtually unlimited
power until you get killed, over- thrown or relieved of command.” Closing remarks were made by the Grand
Master:
Grand Lodge Officers in attendance were Jeremy V J. Sawyer (M.W.G.M.); Wendell L. Woodward (D.G.M.);
Albert R Burgess`(S.G.W); David J. Lamprey Sr: (J.G.W); David G.· Thompson ·(G.T.);. Darrell D.
Smith (D. G.L.); Robert G. Hatfield (S.G.D.); C. Wayne Libby Jn (J.G.D.); Andrew E Hirst (G.M.); Paul M.
Leary (D.D.G.L.); Allen S. Wright (D.E.O.) and Clifford H. Eastman Jr: (D.E.O.).
Other special guests included Eleanor (Hart) Condliffe and Dr: Peter Condliffe (Kensington, Md.), Robert E.
Killham Jn (Rockingham Lodge #76, District 2, Candia, N.H.) and many Grand Lodge wives.
As the scent of a full course Italian dinner wafted through the doorway (prepared by Patrick Mohan, former
head chef, Italian Farmhouse, Plymouth) the lodge was closed. Chaplain Harry A. Welch, Sr. Was called upon
for the blessing of the food and centre- pieces were given away Teddy bears in sweaters, snowman mugs,
poinsettias and one hand crafted bubblegum snowman went home with lucky guests. Royal Blue ‘Christmas tree
decorations (with a white dove of peace were also given as gifts.
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