Greetings! 

The following pertains to an open meeting held at Fraternity Lodge No. 1111 AF & AM for the presentation of one of Freemasonry's Highest Awards..

Brother Masons, their families and friends as well as members of the general public and the Media were invited to attend the event. 

Brother Ramon M. Canaba Jr. is presented with The Golden Trowel Award by District Deputy Grand Master David Desbien for Masonic District Number 60A of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.

El Paso, Texas - On Tuesday, June 25th, 2013, Brother Ramon M. Canaba Jr., the Chaplain for Fraternity Lodge No. 1111 AF & AM was presented with the Golden Trowel Award, one of Freemasonry's Highest Awards that can be given by a Lodge to a brother Mason.

The award presentation was conducted during an open meeting in which all Brother Masons, their families and friends, members of the general public and The Media were welcomed to attend.

The award was presented by the District Deputy Grand Master David Desbien for Masonic District Number 60A of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.

 "I wasn't expecting this," said Brother Canaba, "I came to support another ."

Brother Canaba had been kept in secret as to his receiveing the award until the last possible moment when the District Deputy Grand Master was called forward to assume control of the meting for the presentation of the award and Brother Canaba was named as the awardee.

Brother Canaba entered Masonry as an Entered Apprentice in 1993, was Raised to Master Mason in 1994 and served as a Past Master of the Lodge during the Masonic Year of 2001 to 2002. Currently he serves as the Lodge's Chaplain and has held the position since 2011.

The Golden Trowel Award was conceived in the fall of 1989 by Deputy Grand Master A. D. Hanna. It was at a gathering of Grand Master Leonard P. Harvey, Deputy Grand Master A.D. Hanna and Grand Senior Warden Fred E. Allen at Grand Master Harvey's farm near Alto, Texas - while discussing possible Grand Lodge Awards to be made at the 1989 Annual Communication of Grand Lodge - that A.D. Hanna said:

"We are always giving special recognition to Brethren on the Grand Lodge level, but we don't have an award for Lodges to present members of the Lodge who excel in their commitment to their lodges in particular and to Freemasonry in general."

He was twirling a small golden trowel between his forefingers at the time, and then said:

"I know, we can call such an award The Golden Trowel Award."

Thus was the Golden Trowel Award brought into Texas Masonry.

Brother Hanna believed with all of his being that in nearly every Texas Lodge was a Brother entitled to special recognition - not because he expected recognition, but rather because of his service to his Lodge, Freemasonry, to his community and to humanity deserved special recognition.

It is designed for the Brother who consistently does the little things - not for recognition, but rather because he practices in his daily life the true principles taught all Masons at the altars of our lodges.

He has learned to live his life uprightly before God and mankind, to square his actions by the square of virtue, and the level reminds him of his journey through life that will ultimately lead him to eternal rest.

Such a Brother has learned well the lessons of the Trowel as taught him upon his raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. He consistently spreads the cement of Brotherly Love and affection - that cement which unites all Masons as one sacred band - or society - of friends and Brethren among whom no contention should ever exist, but that noble contention - or rather emulation - of who can best work and best agree.

Brother Ramon M. Canaba Jr. is presented with the certificate for the Golden Trowel Award by District Deputy Grand Master David Desbien for Masonic District Number 60A of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Texas.