Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia F.A.A.M.

 A message of thanks from First Lady Lourdes Elias:

Dear Friends and Family:  Thanks a zillion times to ALL of you for your assistance and support of our Team:  “LGL Lou’s Crew and the Grand Lodge of DC” in the 25^th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure.  We exceeded our team goal of $7,000 (by raising over $8,616 to date with donations still coming in…..) and we met our team participant goal of 40 walkers/runners with 43 participants.  I know a lot of you wanted to be with us but were called out-of-town, etc…. and I did receive your kind and generous contributions! 

The team participants are the brave souls that ventured out in 89° weather (which with the humidity, felt like 100° as early as 7:45am when we met at the top steps of the National Archives).  It was a hazy morning and even though the Metro started early (5:30am) the trains were not running frequently and about three of our participants did not make it on time for the race/walk.  Nonetheless, we had a very enthusiastic crew.  The participants all wore white Race for the Cure t-shirts except for the “SURVIVORS” of breast cancer, who wore pink shirts.  Throughout the walk people approached those of us with pink shirts and asked: “How many years as a survivor?” – to which I replied only one (1) and they would cheer and wish us all a healthy future.  That was moving for me…..   

From our Masonic family, Pat & Paul Gleason; Patti and Bill Turner, Rosario Valera, and Janice (a fellow survivor) & Gary Bond were among the early risers along with Walter Hoenes and his mom, Virginia (also a fellow survivor).  Connor Flaherty brought our sign just in time to start the walk and we were also joined by his girlfriend Alexandra, who was a real trooper and pulled some considerable time with “sign carrying” duty.  Brother Carlos Rodriguez (famed concert pianist) walked with us as well as my dear friend Peter Burroughs (the Washington Opera tenor) and his parents, Jeneva and Stuart Burroughs (who flew in from Vermont to be part of this walk).  Peter’s dad Stuart (aka the “bionic man” due to two reconstructed hips) was an inspiring force in our team and also volunteered some major “sign carrying” duty. 

As we started the walk, Congressman Ken Bentsen saw our banner and (FYI – Ken is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and who spoke at our recent 9^th World Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges) pointed us out from the crowd and the Master of Ceremonies (the 97.1 DeeJay) announced our team as the “Freemasons of the District of Columbia” to the crowd.  We all went crazy cheering.  Later at the sponsors’ tent I was able to take a picture with the Congressman and Linda Lentini who is the “Sponsor Coordinator”.  By the way, my dear friend Laura Quiroga Rodriguez (a director with the GALA Hispanic Theatre) was very helpful in “directing/choreographing” our crew so that our banner would be perfectly angled to the various television cameras she spotted along the route.  

We had Cecile, Fatima, Joie (who all kicked in with lots of sign carrying duty) & Johanna who came with some friends from the German embassy and diplomatic corps. 

Veronica Gonzalez (ESL teacher extraordinaire) was also very helpful providing tissue paper and funny stories as we melted during the walk.  My friend and fellow survivor Roya Bahrami (Persian music specialist) and her friends joined us as well.   

Also, we were honored to have Anne Perry (outside legal counsel to my company DGI) and her family (husband-Bob and daughter-Emma) with us.  My other adopted sister Alisa Bernstein (who I treat like a daughter) was with us and we gave Anne and her daughter Emma lessons in flicking a fan “flamenco style” with maja-tude.  The fans came in very handy as the sun started blazing at 9am.  Alisa dances Flamenco with my company the Spanish Dance Theatre and will be performing this coming weekend in Carlos’ concert as well.  There were lots of funny stories along the way.  We pondered on clothing design that would be more suitable for this type of event – tank top for women, muscle shirts for men.  Emma and her dad Bob went through the water/spray tent and at the water stops we did not just drink the water but poured it on ourselves. 

There were cheerleaders and bands from local high schools along the way which helped keep our spirits high and moving.  Overall, it was a fantastic event even though most of us — who weren’t paying attention (and to our defense, the course was not clearly marked…)– walked the full 5K instead of deviating towards the 1-mile Walker’s course.  Oh well?  If I forgot anybody from our team, please let me know.  I haven’t had time to develop the pictures yet but, promise to do that tonight and will send them along later.  Again, thank you SO much for being a part of this in YOUR own way.  As I mentioned earlier, Washington, DC, has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the United States.  During these tough economic times we are truly blessed to be able to help fund these outreach programs and initiatives that address the specific unmet breast health needs of the area.

Much love and respect for all of you,

-Lou

 LGL Lou’s Crew and the Grand Lodge of DC