Monti Masons Honor Community Servants

By Rob Potter

MONTICELLO - Monticello native Lt. John Crawford wanted to serve his country so badly he hid a childhood injury to join the Navy. On March 10, 1967, Crawford made the ultimate sacrifice for his county when he was killed in Vietnam.

His name is etched upon the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington, D. C. and now his name will be on the walls of Monticello Lodge #352, Free and Accepted Masons. As part of an awards program last Saturday evening, Lt. Crawford, who was a member of Lodge #352, was honored with a plaque and a moment of silence. His plaque will remain in the lodge, near those honoring World War I and II veterans.

"We recognize this is long overdue," said Tom Rue, secretary of Lodge #352 and the evening's master of ceremonies. "After three decades, he is not forgotten and we thank him."

During the evening, three awards and one warrant (an appointment) were given out.

Greg Feicht and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #1544 Monticello, each received the Douglas MacArthur Award for service to youth.

Feicht, 47, is the director of administrative services for the Sullivan County Department of Social Services and the vice-chair of the Village of Monticello Commission on Human Rights. In accepting the MacArthur award, Feicht spoke not about himself but of the community.

"We have a huge challenge facing us all," he said, referring to the changes in welfare regulations and how those reforms affect the people of Sullivan County.

He urged employers, service organizations and others to "take an active role" in the community. "There are 1,800 children in Sullivan County on welfare. We need to find a better way to treat children."

William Bunce, veteran's chairman for Elks Lodge #1544, accepted the MacArthur award for the lodge with a simple "thank you."

Sgt. William N. VanHage of the Monticello Police Department was presented with the DeWitt Clinton Award for community service. The award is named for DeWitt Clinton, who was a mason and the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York from 1806 to 1820 and served as a U.S. Senator, mayor of New York and governor of New York.

The award has been presented by the Grand Lodge of New York since 1781. It is always awarded to a non-Masonic group or individual in recognition of outstanding community service.

VanHage, 41, joined the Monticello police department in 1978 and was the department's first Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer. "Twenty years ago, I was consumed with the idea of joining a police force," VanHage said. "I wished to see human nature at its best and worst. I wanted to make a difference.

"I am honored, thank you. I am humbled by your generosity and look forward to continuing to serve the police department, you and the community."

The keynote speaker for the event was Burton Ledina, county judge/surrogate. He spoke of the importance of entrepreneurs, elected officials, police, teachers and administrators in building and maintaining communities.

"All of the various parts need to actively work together in peace and harmony to make the community work," he said.

Near the end of the evening, the Masons honored one of their own.

Herman Reinshagen, a farmer in Bethel and Tiler of the Lodge, received a warrant proclaiming him the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Senegal Near the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. This is the first warrant given by Senegal, which only recently became a part of the Masonic movement.

Immediately following the program, the masons and guests further honored Reinshagen with a cake celebrating his 80th birthday, which was Sunday.

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Above text is posted with permission of the editor.