by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian Schimian

One day, as I was pushing one of the strollers, following my Lady up and down the isles of “stuff” we made a left turn and for some reason I looked right. Out of the countless tables and heaps of items, something caught my eye. Could it be? I was a little bit away, but I swear I saw a Shriner’s Fez. My half left turn became a b-line for this fellow and his tables. Sure enough, he had a small sampling of Masonic items laid out for sale. A short conversation later revealed that he had purchased a storage locker that was in default and these were inside. Well, being me, I couldn’t let these items sit on a table at a sap meet. They hold too much meaning for me, and they weren’t even mine. I have to say, it wasn’t until I caught back up with my Lady and we stopped for some fruit, that I got a chance to actually study the items I picked up. I was immediately blown away with what I had found, simply by chance.

The first thing I grabbed out of the hat case was a challenge coin. I almost couldn’t believe the writing… Okinawa Military Lodge #68. Was I really holding a challenge coin from a Military Lodge in Japan!?!? I flipped the coin over and and on the bottom it had F&AM (PHA). Not only is this from the other side of the world, but it was PHA. I grabbed the other coin out of the box and it was a 40th anniversary coin from Tori Lodge #46, also from PHA from Japan.

I will never understand what made me look right when I was going left, but I am so thankful that I did and that I was able to preserve these items. They will be locked away in my private collection for sometime… most likely forever, unless the right opportunity presents itself and I feel I should let them go.
~BJS
Bro. Brian Schimian is Life of Member A.O. Fay #676 in Highland Park Illinois and the Medinah Shriners - Lake County Shrine Club. He was also the Past Master Counselor of DeMolay - Lakes Chapter in 1995. Most recently, Brian became a Companion of the York Rite, joining Waukegan Chapter #41 R.A.M. Brian is a father of two children. "Start Square, Finish Level"
We have a beautiful, 100yo Lodge building, with most of the 6 floors just laying dormant. It's my hope to one day have a museum of sorts, a place for all the found relics to reside.
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