At its annual state convention last month, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia Free & Accepted Masons bestowed its two highest honors for fraternal year 2014-15 upon an Arlington unit and its leader.

Arlington Lodge #58 was named “Lodge of the Year.” Its 82 members were recognized for involvement in numerous community and charitable projects, for award of scholarships and other donations to worthy recipients and for development of a social media network of over 1,000 followers. In summation, Lodge #58 “has been able to prove themselves as one of the finest Prince Hall Lodges” in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia. Lacking state and district senior officials on its membership rolls, special note was taken that the local unit “performs splendidly without immediate supervision or oversight.”

The leader of the local unit, Worshipful Master Julius D. Spain, Sr., was recognized as “Worthy Master of the Year.” The approved recommendation endorsed his “progressive leadership” under the theme “Leading By Example.” Mention was made of the successful project to erect an Arlington County historical marker “signifying over 127 years of faithful and dedicated service to the local community.” The convention approval concluded that “this recognition reflects not only great credit upon Arlington Lodge #58 but the entire Prince Hall family.”

The effect of the awards was both “humbling and exciting,” according to Spain. “I was humbled to be honored, and every one of our members was excited to be recognized at the state level.” He went on to say the members deserve all the credit, “because they did all the work.” The impact of all the recognition, according to Spain, is that Lodge #58 will use it “as a step to making more and better efforts to serve the community.”