Moose Lodge national chairman visits Copperas Cove
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
The Copperas Cove Moose Lodge had the special honor of receiving a visit from Bruce T. Masopust, Chairman of the Board for the Moose Fraternity.
As part of his journey across the United States and through Texas, Masopust stopped by the Copperas Cove Moose Lodge, giving a speech and attending their festivities on Friday. He gave a speech at 4 p.m. followed by a brisket dinner at 6 p.m. with entertainment provided by Catfish Daniels.
As part of Masopust’s speech, he donated a box of Tommy Moose and a box of Rosie Moose to the Killeen Fire Department. The moose plush figures are given to emergency workers and hospitals to give to children in stressful situations. Members of the Moose Fraternity have provided more than 200,000 of the plush moose figures since 2003. The Copperas Cove Police Department has been a past recipient of Tommy Moose as well.
“We’re very appreciative,” said Clayton Brooks of the KFD who accepted the moose plush figures along with fellow firefighter Joseph Dimmig. “This is another example of how lucky we are to have the support of individual members and organizations like the Moose Lodge.”
Masopust became the Moose Fraternity’s Chief Presiding Officer on July 4, elected by vote of The Moose delegates at the Fraternity’s 134th International Convention in Florida.
“As part of my duties as Chairman of the Board, you basically visit as many state associations as you can,” said Masopust.
Each state chooses which lodges that Masopust will visit, and the Copperas Cove Moose Lodge was one of only four lodges that Masopust will visit in Texas. Masopust plans to visit lodges in 46 states. He will skip Idaho, Utah, and New Mexico. There are no lodges in Hawaii.
Masopust is originally from Lodi, New Jersey and thinks it’s ironic that he’s risen so far in the Moose Fraternity considering the fact that his father originally had to force him to join the lodge 38 years ago.
“It is an honor and a privilege to represent so many great people that do so many good things for the children at Mooseheart, the seniors at Moosehaven, and their communities,” said Masopust.
The Moose organization consists of nearly 900,000 people in approximately 1,300 lodges and 1,200 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.
The group owns and operates Mooseheart which takes in orphaned and disadvantaged children and cares for and gives them an education, offering additional scholarships to children who perform well. They also operate Moosehaven for seniors who they take care of for the rest of their lives.
In addition, each Moose Lodge raises funds for and support local causes. Joseph Wilgeroth, past president of the Copperas Cove Moose Lodge, said that their group always likes to give back to the community whenever the chairman visits, and Friday was no exception. They held a brisket dinner to raise money for the Pink Warrior Angels. Altogether, the lodge donated $1,500 to the organization.
“It’s a wonderful organization that helps people going through all forms of cancer,” said Wilgeroth.
“It’s always humbling,” said Julie Moser, founder of Pink Warrior Angels. “Our community is the best.”