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1st Annual James E. Fuller memorial service
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West Point Monument
(Elmwood Cemetery)
238 E. Princess Anne Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23510
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Rising Sun Lodge #2 spearheaded the public event held on April 29, 2007 with the assistance of the 1st Masonic District Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons. This event celebrated the legacy of James E. Fuller, a great man who contributed to the city of Norfolk and to the black soldiers and sailors of the Civil & Spanish/American War at the West Point Monument located in the West Point section of Elmwood Cemetery. In 1886, black City Councilman and Union Civil War veteran James E Fuller persuaded Norfolk to dedicate a section of the cemetery for the burial of black Union veterans. There were several lodges in attendance along with 7 Grand Lodge officers: MWGM Vaughan, DDGM Chadwick, DDGM Carter, ADDGM Davis, ADDGM Staples, WGM McAllister, and WGP Spence) and 1 Grand Chapter officer: (Grand Chaplain McAllister). Rising Sun had approximately 21 members present out of a total of 55. The memorial service was publicized in the Virginian Pilot newspaper on 04/27/07, aired on WAVY TV 10 local news coverage on 04/29/07 at 6:00pm, and in the New Journal & Guide newspaper on 05/03/07. Below are a couple of photos from the event. This successful event was planned by notable brothers of Rising Sun Lodge #2; Bro. James Powers, Bro. Willie Johnson, and Bro. Willie Packer. When you see these brothers, please acknowledge their hard work and success. And of course, this event would not have been as successful without your participation.
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Rising Sun members present: WM, SW Ronald Keyes, JW Albert Bradley, PM J. Edward Shields Sr., PM Leo Gray, PM Cliss Bynum, PM Michael Coffey, PM Alvin Stanley, PM William Johnson, PM Bobby Waldo, PM Andrew Person, *(PM Milton Lee), Bro. James Powers, Bro. Willie Packer, Bro. Willie Johnson, Bro. Anderson Benson, Bro. Brian Gay, Bro. Renard Jenkins, Bro. Ervin Pond, Bro. Sharafail Thompson, Bro. James Burrwell, Bro. Albert Moore Jr.,
Dr. E. Curtis Alexander (Speaker)
MWGM
Brethren of the craft assembled
Annual James E. Fuller Memorial Service
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March 14, 2020
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at the
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African American Civil War Veterans Memorial
In Attendance
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Most Worshipful Grand Master
Honorable Richard Townes
Averett Union Lodge #235
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Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master
Donald S. Wilson
Campbell Lodge #67
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District Deputy
Alton Miles
Norfolk New Light #196
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Assistant District Deputy
Mike Wilson
Rising Sun Lodge #2
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Assistant District Deputy
James Arrington
Norfolk New Light#196
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Assistant Grand Photographer
James Clinton
Norfolk New Light #196
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and
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Mixtures of Brothers & Past Masters from the Prince Hall Family
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Special thanks to Susan Platt from Parks and Open Spaces Cemetery Devision
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Guest Speaker
Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander, Ph.D.
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Cassandra Newby-Alexander is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, professor of
history, and director of the Joseph Jenkins Roberts Center for African Diaspora Studies at Norfolk State University.
Her book publications include Virginia Waterways and the Underground Railroad (2017),
An African American History of the Civil War in Hampton Roads (2010), co-authored Black
America Series: Portsmouth (2003), Hampton Roads: Remembering Our Schools (2009), and co-edited Voices from within the Veil: African Americans and the Experience of Democracy (2008).
Dr. Newby-Alexander has appeared on a number of national programs and documentaries
including PBS’s Many Rivers to Cross, the History Channel’s Race, Slavery and the Civil War, and C-SPAN’s broadcasts on history.
