Vasa Order of America Grand Master's Message
	Spring 2023 -  click HERE to View in Swedish

The Grand Master’s Message

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters,

Spring is upon us, and warmer weather and outdoor events are shaping up. We had a great winter and spring is always busy with District Lodge Conventions. I had the pleasure of visiting District Lodge Pacific Southwest #15 for their convention in Los Alamitos, CA in late February. A very serious weather pattern was upon the entire State of California and a blizzard warning was issued for Los Angeles and Ventura County. The flight was a little rough, but everyone made it. DL-15 pioneered their first one day convention. It took a load of planning, and the lodge did an outstanding job of completing all of the work, elections and installations. In March the Grand Lodge Executive Board and National Archives Board held our annual meeting in Bishop Hill at our Archives. It was very meaningful for new board members to experience Bishop Hill and see our archives. Archive President Sheila Lundquist and Archivist Kathy Cuff spent a lot of time and resources to make our visit enjoyable. The board had time to thoroughly explore the archives and see firsthand the hard work and dedication that goes in to operating the facility. We had a very productive executive board meeting and accomplished many assignments passed to us during the Grand Lodge convention. We also had a great Archives Board meeting and a great opportunity for both of the boards to spend some quality time together. Local Lodge Bishop Hill #683 hosted a pancake and pea soup dinner and invited all of the Grand Lodge and Archives board members to attend. They hold their meetings in a historic building in Bishop Hill that was a former schoolhouse. It was a wonderful dinner meeting and I extend a warm thank you to LL 683 for their generous hospitality. As soon as we returned from Illinois I repacked my bags and headed off to Rhode Island District Lodge #3 for their convention in West Warwick Rhode Island. It ’s been a while since I have been there due to COVID and it was really nice to catch up with everyone. District Master Robyn Ladouceur ran a great meeting. In advance of the meeting our Grand Lodge Deputy, Carol Olson, District Secretary Jim Ladouceur and members of Pioneer Lodge #506 were made aware of a very significant and special occasion. Millie Johnson of Pioneer Lodge #506 turned 96 years old on March 28th and will become an 80 year member later in April. I had the great honor to meet her and celebrate this milestone occasion. There is an article in this issue with more detail. Also, in April DL- New Jersey #6 held their convention in Cape May, NJ.  Coming up in May will be District Lodge Norra Sverige Nr-19 on May 19th and 20th in Norrkoping and Sodra Sverige Nr-20 on May 27th and 28th in Ljungby. In June, District Lodge Alberta #18 will hold their convention in Edmonton.  Inger and I will be attending all of these meetings.  Some very notable anniversaries during this issue are Norden Lodge #1 turned 140 years on March 1st. Monitor Lodge #218, 111 years on April 8th, Lyckan Lodge #507, 95 years on March 18th and Lindbergh Lodge #505, 95 years on February 18th. Lindbergh #505 is planning an extravaganza later in April and I will be sure to share some exciting news about it in our summer edition.