MSA's service to veterans deserves our support.
Photo: Ill. Harry S. Truman, 33°, S.R. Hall of Honor Portrait
Responding to the needs of veterans during World War II, M.W. Brother and President Harry S. Truman, 33°, made a national appeal for every Mason to contribute a modest donation each year in support of America's veterans. The Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) has carried on this good work. Each November, the MSA's "Green Envelope Appeal" solicits funds to support Mason volunteers and others who visit hospitalized veterans. They distribute free personal care items and other small gifts that can fill a veteran's otherwise dreary day with sunshine. And there is the most important gift of all, the demonstration that we as Masons remember and care!
Each year, our Supreme Council supports the MSA with financial aid from the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., USA. But with the November 1999 drive over, it is clear that needs are much greater than the support received to date. Recently, the Veterans Administration suffered drastic budget cuts, and we in the Volunteer Sector have to fill the gaps. With your support, veterans coming to V.A. Medical Centers for outpatient care will be served and the more familiar inpatient care and bedside visits, which have been such an integral part of the MSA Hospital Visitation Program for so many years, will continue.
The MSA truly needs our support now to continue the important work of serving those who have served our country in its time of need. They now look to us to comfort in their time of need, and we must be there.
Please join with me in supporting this outstanding Masonic
and patriotic cause. Please send checks payable to Masonic Service
Association, earmarking them for the MSA's Hospital Visitation
Program, to: The Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton Street,
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910–4785. Thank you very much!