Mt Hiram Lodge #595 recognizes Mason receiving 50-year service award

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press 

Mount Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 595 of Copperas Cove recognized one of its brothers for achieving 50 years of service as a mason with a special ceremony Tuesday evening. 
Billy Joe Evans received his 50-year Service Award. Evans was initiated as an Entered Apprentice on Jan. 2, 1967. He passed to the degree of Fellowcraft on Feb. 20, 1967, and he became a Master Mason on March 20, 1967. He has served as past Worshipful Master of the Mt. Hiram Lodge #595 from 2007 to 2008. He has also been an A-Certificate Holder for a number of years. 
“From time immemorial, Freemasonry has taught proper reverence and veneration for age,” said Worshipful Master James Johnsen. “This was particularly so when years of age stand united with years of service, and when an honor is conferred upon a recipient, who is both worthy and esteemed. Age has always been the crowning glory of man. it affords an opportunity to reflect upon the past. From the experience of the past, the present receives the most useful counsel and guidance. It is to age we look for wisdom, and it is upon wisdom that Freemasonry builds each and every laudable enterprise.”
As he was being pinned, Evans said that he had his 40-year pin on his lapel that had been placed there by a dear friend named V.C. Peters, and “I wish he was here to pin this 50 on me.”
Before closing the meeting, Johnsen shared that it was an honor to have Evans celebrating his 50 years at the Mt. Hiram Lodge. 
“For me, when I first started, you were still one of our great A-Certificate holders who made sure that we knew the work inside and out, and it’s greatly appreciated,” Johnsen said. 
The lodge tries to recognize its members for their commemorative years of service, typically starting at 25 years of service. To recognize ones who have achieved 50 years is especially an honor. 
“The significance for us is to recognize all the ones that have come before us and all the stuff that they’ve done to pave the way for us to be able to do what we do today,” Johnsen said. 
Evans was proud to receive his pin and certificate recognizing his service as a mason. 
“It means I’ve lived a long time,” Evans said about achieving 50 years of service as a Mason. 
He said getting his 50-year pin and being recognized by his brothers in the Lodge was one of the greatest privileges that a Mason could receive. 
“Not many people make it to 50, so I’m just pleased and tickled to death that I made it to 50,” Evans said. 
He shared that he joined masonry after hearing about it from a friend who was a Warrant Officer. 
“One day, he said, ‘I can’t bowl. I got to go to the lodge,’” Evans said. “And I said, ‘Tell me all about these Masons.’ Back then, you had to ask to be a mason, and he said soon as I said, ‘Tell me all about them masons,’ that’s asking to be a mason, and he gave me a petition. I became one.”