The Empty Chair Degree
Watch it performed at the FB/YouTube link below:
https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryLodgeAFAM/videos/734512650299077?s=1043194369&v=e&sfns=mo
Typically Montgomery Lodge runs this degree as an ‘Open House.’ After the Memorial Day parade in town, we open the doors and invite the public, with special invitations to local politicians, police, fire, VFW, etc. Over the last few years, we’ve had the “Young Marines” do the flag procession, but this year we chartered a Boy Scout Troop so they led the procession. We usually offer real food/snacks and drinks as well. This has really worked for us as a way to get public presence and open a little bit of our philosophy regarding the evergreen to the general public.
The Empty or Vacant Chair ceremony is thought to date back to 1875, a decade after the close of the American Civil War when it was used in Masonic lodges throughout the nation to pay tribute to those who did not return from the war. Since then, it has been used by many lodges on Memorial Day to pay homage to those Brother Freemasons who sacrificed their lives for our country.
Starting at 11 AM (after the Milford parade), Montgomery Lodge will be serving light refreshments and giving guided tours of the building. At 12 PM, we will hold the Empty Chair Degree, with honor guard provided by the Scouts BSA Troop 314 of Milford, MA. Again, this is open free to the public. Please join us as we pay tribute to the Brothers who never returned home.
Montgomery Lodge AF & AM
155 Main Street
Milford, MA 01757
(Free parking in rear of building)For Additional History and the Ritual click on the link below:
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/Empty_Chair_Degree.pdf
