Belvidere Moose Lodge member awarded Pilgrim Degree of Merit

On Sunday, Aug. 5, the Belvidere Moose Lodge #295 hosted a ceremony honoring their Governor Bob Hammortree for having

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Daily Republican
Bob Hammortree was conferred the rank of Pilgrim, which is the highest rank given by the Moose Lodge. Here he sits next to his supportive wife of nearly 60 years.

received the Pilgrim Degree of Merit. This is the highest Degree of Merit that can be bestowed on a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Fraternal Organization. This happens once a year and this year 130 members holding the Fellowship Award, were invited to the House of God at Mooseheart, Ill. near Aurora. Of the 130 invited only eight of the recipients were from the State of Illinois.

At the Moose Lodge, everyone was invited in for hors d’oeuvres and conversation. The event proper began with a speech of welcome and all the dignitaries filed in. Hammortree was escorted in and highlights of his life, his military career, family, and business career, before he became a Moose and after, were recited. His accomplishments and work in building up the Belvidere Lodge were spoken of before he was presented with a new blazer with insignia denoting his new honored position within the Moose Lodge. Congratulations were then offered.

“What a great journey this has been,” Hammortree said. “I started my Moose service to have a good time with friends. Over time, I have met many good Moose members who have also become friends. Beginning with the goal of providing for Mooseheart and Moosehaven, joining the Moose Legion to provide greater service and receiving the Fellowship Degree of Honor, and now to the highest degree, the Pilgrim Degree of Merit, this has been one wild ride.

“I want to thank my wife and my family for all their support through the years. I also want to thank all the members that I have had the joy of working with and volunteering alongside through the years.

“I want to thank all of you for helping to make this day…

For complete article, pick up theAug. 12 BDR.