Update - United States Army Major Cody Khork Services

Brethren of the 21st Masonic District,

Per information from the staff of Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven there will be no visitation at the Funeral Home, however there will be visitation for Major Khork at the Haven Worship Center 1835 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven from 11:00am to 12:00pm prior to the beginning of the services at 12:00pm. The procession to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL will depart Oak Ridge Funeral Care 2425 Havendale Blvd. Winter Haven, FL at 11:30am on Monday March 30, 2026.

Fraternally,

W:. Joe Rogers, PM and President of the Master Mason Association of the 21st Masonic District

United States Army Major Cody Khork Services

Brethren of the 21st Masonic District,

From a discussion this evening at the 21st District Master Mason Association meeting;

Hopefully you are aware one of the American Military personnel killed in a drone attack in Kuwait was a Polk County native.  United States Army Major Cody Khork of Winter Haven, FL with four others died March 1, 2026 in a drone attack on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait. Those soldiers were the first American casualties in Operation Epic Fury, the American and Israeli action against Iran. Today Major Khork was returned home to Polk County via chartered military transport and by motorcade to Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 2425 Havendale Blvd. Winter Haven, FL 33881.  

As Masons and more importantly as Patriotic Americans it would be an honorable effort for us to visit that funeral home and or attend the funeral service at Haven Worship Center 1835 Overlook Dr. Winter Haven, Fl. at 12:00 pm Saturday March 21, 2026 clothed in our respective Lodge shirts. Showing our support as Masons and as patriotic citizens to honor a fallen Military Hero exemplifies the tenants our Fraternity and our civic duty.

Please make an effort to attend one or both of these events.

Kind and Fraternal Regards,

W:. Joe Rogers, PM and President Master Mason Association of the 21st Masonic District

DeMolay at Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Brethren,

We are at the end of the long journey to adopting a DeMeolay at Lake Wales, I need all applications, teaching modules and background checks turned in as soon as possible for the men that are interested in becoming advisors.

This is it gentlemen, this is what we all talk about, how important investing our time and energy into the next generation is, and here's our opportunity 

Feel free to message me on here, or my phone at (863) 221-9228.

Fraternally,
Bro. Timothy Ratliff, Junior Warden Lake Wales Lodge No. 242

Alas My Brother... W:. Larry Witchard

We've just been informed by R:.W:. Ron Mincey that a Celebration of Life service for W:. Larry Witchard of Fort Meade Lodge No. 160 will be held next Sunday March 15th at 3:00pm at the First United Methodist Chuch located at 135 East Broadway. Please let any other Brothers know.

Fraternally,

R:.W:. Bill Doolin, Secretary/Treasurer Master Mason Association / Secretary Kathleen Lodge No. 338

Lake Wales Lodge No 242 Rabbie Burns Night Fundraiser

Lake Wales Lodge No. 242 F. & A. M. presenting a check for $700 to the Candlelight Christian Academy. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward a student trip to Washington D.C.

Important Announcement About Sebring Lodge No. 249 and Placid Lodge No. 282

Effective on Monday February 23, 2026 Sebring Lodge No. 249 and Placid Lodge No. 282 have merged with Placid Lodge No. 282 as the surviving lodge. Stated Communications are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Lake Placid Masonic Temple, 102 North Main Street in Lake Placid. The former Sebring Masonic Temple on Home Avenue in Sebring has been sold and is now under private ownership please do not go to the building as you will be tresspassing. Thank you.

Grand Lodge Office Experiencing Internet Outage

Due to work in the area (Per Comcast Business) the office of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Florida in Jacksonville will be closing early today. The office will reopen for regular business starting on Monday February 23, 2026. We apologize for the inconvenience.