Honoring

said during his opening remarks. “A baby shower is an important milestone when becoming a mom. But when part of a military family, doing without a baby shower is often another sacrifice that is made. You are our heroes. You each deserve a very special baby shower.”

Maj. Gen. Brother Marvin Jay Barry, also a member of Richard Vaux Brotherhood Lodge No. 126, echoed those sentiments, thanking the moms-to-be for their service to the country and reminding them “the military understands the sacrifices you make.

“Today, we hope to make the journey easier for you with these gifts … don’t be shy to use our organization as an asset,” he said.

R.W. Deputy Grand Master Larry Derr also welcomed the crowd on behalf of the fraternity. Since 2008, Pennsylvania Freemasons have contributed over $1.5 million to the Help for Our Heroes program, he said.

“Today’s program is just one example of the work we are doing in our communities. It is our pleasure to support and help educate our military families as you welcome your new baby … Being here with you today, as you prepare to welcome these little ones, is a special treat for all of us.”

More than 55 moms-to-be from all branches of service across Pennsylvania and from the Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey attended the shower. For the first time in the shower’s history, no moms-to-be were expecting multiple babies. The shower included brunch, maternal and baby health information, shower games with prizes and the opportunity to network with other moms-to-be.

Gifts included baby caps hand-crocheted by Rona Kornfeld and Audrey Stahl, a Fisher Price Kick & Play, a baby video monitor, an ear and forehead baby thermometer, a Vtech sit-to-stand walker, a convertible car seat and a box filled with diapers, assorted toys and pacifiers.

At the end of the day, the moms-to-be were surprised to learn each of them would be going