LM=Life
Member, HM = Honorary Member, ML=Member at Large,
GL=Grand Lodge, PP=Past President, PSM=Past
Sovereign Master, FPS=Fellow of the Philalethes Society, LOH=Legion
of Honor, MC=Master Councilor
Please
contact me should you have any questions regarding my biography. email:
bwine@rcn.com
I am available for open discussion on the Forum
area of the Grand York Rite of California website at www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org.
Register in the Forums section and start discussions in the General Grand Chapter
forum area.
Note
about my last name.
Over the years many have asked the question, 'What does your name have to do with
wine?'. From what I have researched probably nothing. As a 9th generation American
I am obviously proud of my name. The name is old and originated in Austria specifically
from the name Vienna. When surnames were required my family was given the place
name of Wien. The name Wien is of Celtic origin and is derived from the name "Vedunia"
for river in the woods. With the Danube River flowing through the City this makes
sense.
My
distant Grandfather Johann George Wien (pronounced Vin) brought his family on
board the ship "Elliot" from the Rhine River area near Heidelberg and
landed in Philadelphia August 24, 1749. The English ship Captain told Johann that
his name should be spelled Wine. In 1782, Michael, son of Johann, moved his family
to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia near Forestville. It has been estimated that
Johann is the ancestor of about half of the Wine families in the US. In my travels
throughout the United States I have learned that the name is rather uncommon.
Over the years some have changed the spelling of the name from Wine to Wyne or
Wines.
The
above information is from:
1. 'The Wine Family in America' by Jacob David
Wine
2. The website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna
3. The Pennsylvania
Historical Society in Philadelphia
Note
about non military service.
Following graduation from San Francisco State University in 1971 I knew I would
be eligible for the draft. The Viet Nam conflict and the draft were still in effect.
I was prepared to serve my Country and was pleased I could complete my college
education first. I received my 1A notice to appear for military medical exams.
At the Doctors station the Doctor noticed the skin grafts on my legs. At the age
of 9 I had been severely burned covering over 60 percent of my body. I came close
to death. The Doctor stamped my form as unacceptable because of the grafts and
told me there was no way I'd ever be able to serve in the Military. I was given
a 1Y deferment. A few years later I made an attempt to enlist but was again told
I could not serve because of the reason mentioned. By that time I had received
a 4F classification.
My
Father served in Europe in WWII and was called up again
to serve in the Korean conflict. In Korea he was captured
by the North Koreans and became a POW. In a night raid
by airplanes of the allied forces the North Korean troops
as well as the POWS they were marching to another POW
camp were nearly all wiped out. My Dad was only a few
who survived out of more than 500. I thank God regularly
for his strength to stay alive. His wounds were nearly
critical. For his injuries he received a Purple Heart.
I am proud of the example he has been to me all my life.
He remains a true friend, a brother in Freemasonry and
my Dad.
To
those who have had the pleasure of serving in our armed
forces with pride and honor I can only offer my sincere
thanks for doing your part. There have been times I wish
I would have been allowed to do the same. The other day
while waiting for a flight I sat with an Army recruit.
He had just completed basic training. I thanked him more
than once during our conversation for joining the armed
services. I hope you do the same when the opportunity
presents itself.
Click
on: "The Power
and Action of One Man" for further information
regarding my Dad's struggle to join Freemasonry.
Page
updated/reviewed: July 14, 2007
