Do you have one of these?!
The Order was established long ago, by some best men on the planet, the Masons.
The Motto is “CARITAS ET FIDES UBIQUE”, “Charity and Fidelity Everywhere”
We were inspired by the Nepalese Gurkhas.
The Gurkhas are soldiers from Nepal who are recruited into the British Army, and have been for the last 200 years. Gurkhas are known to be as fearless in combat as they are good natured in daily life. To this day, they remain renowned for their loyalty, professionalism and bravery. Sir Ralph Lilley Turner once said of them, “Bravest of the brave, most generous of the generous, never had a country more faithful friends than you.”
The beginning of the history of the Gurkhas in Masonry on Long Island.
Portobello Lodge #226 of Scotland’s second visit to Long Island in 1994. During their first visit several years earlier they initiated several of us into the legend of the Ghurka and its significance as a fundraiser for worthy charitable causes. There is so much more to tell about our introduction to this worthy charitable fundraiser and the Nassau Masonic District’s relationship with our Brothers of Edenborough Scotland, but that’s for another day.
Once initiated in the Order, you are expected to carry the Gurkha (as a challenge coin) in your pocket with your money. When in the presence of other Masonic Gurkhas you can challenge of be challenged, “Do you have one of these” and then all must show they have it on them or they must give the smallest denomination of paper currency (hopefully only a dollar). All money goes to the Brotherhood Fund as collected by R∴W∴Berdj Agopian who has been successfully collecting over $1000/year for the Brotherhood from the unlucky sods who didn’t have their Gurkhas on them when challenged. Some were found with 20, 50 or even 100 dollar bills as the smallest bill they had in their possession at the time. Their misfortune was alchemically converted with delight from the eager challenger to helping brothers in the brotherhood fund. (Open Lodge and Funerals are off limits)
Our current Gurkhas Meister is R∴W∴Russell Schwager
Many of us are members of this prominent order so you never know whom or when you will be challenged. So, once initiated you better carry it with you wherever you go because you might be challenged by even our Grand Master!