HOULTON — Monument Lodge had much to celebrate at its monthly meeting Nov. 11. Special recognitions were given to American military veterans and to the state of Maine flag. The evening’s work included the lodge’s annual inspection and its festive table in celebration of its Thanksgiving Observance.
Contributed Photo
MAINE STATE FLAG — Visiting inspector Kenneth White of Mapleton, First Masonic District Deputy Grand Master, views the state of Maine flag being held by Monument Lodge’s Master, Clarence Jones and Senior Steward Lindy Hutchinson.
The annual inspection of the lodge records and quality of its work was made by District Deputy Grand Master Kenneth White of Mapleton. Following the work, he commended the lodge’s master, Clarence Jones, on the quality of the lodge’s presentations which was held to be the best in the district.
Lodge Historian Richard Rhoda gave a brief history of the state of Maine flag which is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year. By an act of the 1909 Legislature, the state flag as initially adopted in 1901, was changed to what is generally thought to be the correct flag seen today (see box story).
The evening festivities began with the lodge’s annual Thanksgiving observance with a turkey dinner with all the fixings prepared by “Chef” Danny Milton. Some three dozen members attended.
The lodge made a commitment to continue its tradition of supporting the Salvation Army Kettle Campaign at Christmas time by serving as bell ringers. And, the lodge also voted to host an open invitational chess tournament next spring. Roger Morin, a lodge member, is currently the reigning state chess champion.
History of the Flag
Monument Lodge Historian Richard L. Rhoda set forth a brief history of the state of Maine flag which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Maine did not have a state flag until March 21, 1901 when the Legislature passed a bill establishing one. The first flag had a buff colored field with a pine tree in its center. A blue polar star was displayed equidistant from the hoist and the upper border of the flag.
On February 23, 1909 a new flag standard was adopted by the Legislature. This is the flag, more or less, that is used today.
By law, the blue field of the new flag is to be the same blue as used in the flag of the United States. The flag is supposed to be four feet, four inches by five feet, six inches. The center of the flag is to bear the Maine state coat of arms embroidered in silk.
What is usually left off today’s flag is an edging of two and one half inch wide knotted fringe of yellow silk.
In 1880, the Legislature had ordered a new official seal of the state to be made after the Secretary of State destroyed the original following the loss of a contested election. The same seal is used for the new flag with an enhanced version of the original. The star, shield, pine tree, moose, farmer and sailor were modernized to standards in 1880.
The glowing North Star was originally adopted in 1820 to reflect that Maine was the northern most state in the country.
