On the Town: Local Masons install new leadership

In a ceremony held at the Burbank Masonic Center, local Masons gathered this past week for the 109th time to support their 2018 leadership and honor those who served throughout 2017.

More than 250 friends and family members joined members of Burbank Lodge 406 of Free and Accepted Masons as newly elected and appointed officers were installed.

Under the direction of Installing Officer Russ Charvonia, master of ceremonies Arthur Weiss and Installing Chaplain Vernon Dandridge, the assemblage witnessed the elevation of Jhairo Echevarria to serve as the organization’s 2018 Worshipful Master.

This year’s installation ceremony began with a welcome address by outgoing Worshipful Master Jim Laage followed by the installation of Echevarria, who was accompanied by his parents, Luis Echevarria and Laura Lopez.

Retiring Master Jim Laage and his wife Carmen were among the 200-plus Masons, friends and family members who were on hand to witness the leadership change at Lodge 406.

(David Laurell / Burbank Leader )

A member of Lodge 406 for nine years, Echevarria said his focus throughout 218 will be to positively expand the experience for new prospects and members.

“We are seeing a higher level of incivility being introduced into our world and society,” Echevarria said. “And, regardless of anyone’s politics or religion, we, as Masons, want to reach out to those who want to raise the level of civil decency and community involvement.”

Along with Echevarria, this year’s presiding appointed officers are Lee Broussard, Andrew Grim, Martin Mihal, Karl Warren, Nishan Matissian, Armen Khalafyan, Leon Adkins and Christopher Barnes. The organization’s elected officers are Peter Babia, Ricardo Cervantes, Gary Glass and Jesus Valdiviezo.

In 1909, a dispensation was granted by the California Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for a group of men who formed Masonic Lodge 406. The lodge actually pre-dates the city of Burbank, which was incorporated in 1911, and members held their inaugural meeting on July 1 of that year in their first home on South San Fernando Road.

Armen Khalafyan, left, who was installed as Lodge 406’s 2018 senior deacon with Jesus Valdiviezo who was elected to serve as the organization’s senior warden.

(David Laurell / Burbank Leader )

With initial membership applications received from five ranchers, five farmers, a doctor, a carpenter, a teamster, a butcher, a teacher, an oil driller and a railroad worker, the lodge continued to grow, moved to its second location on Olive Avenue in 1931 and its current location on Glenoaks Boulevard in 2000.

Today, with more than 200 members and more than a century of service to the community and charitable organizations, local Masons are currently supporting the causes of the national Masonic organization as well as local groups and organizations.

The office of worshipful master, now held by Echevarria for a one-year term, is the highest honor to which a lodge may appoint one of its members and is filled annually by a secret-ballot election.

DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.