Last week, Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F&AM in Walden announced that their building had been vandalized sometime overnight between June 14 and 15.

In a post on Facebook, the lodge explained that someone attempted to steal their steel Square and Compasses logo that has “G” in the center.

“Friends, Wallkill Lodge has suffered a deep and personal attack. In the overnight hours between the 14th and 15th of June 2023, the lodge on Main Street in Walden was vandalized as someone attempted to steal the steel Square and Compasses with the “G” from the front of our lodge. The thieves, unfortunately, made off with the “G” and did significant damage to the surrounding brick work.
Eric Van Dalinda, Master of the Lodge gave some background into the letter “G.”

“The significance of the letter “G” has a far greater meaning with a Mason’s connection to our divine celestial power,” said Dalinda. “The vandalization of our emblem, and to the letter “G,” affects our lodge at the very foundation, as our Brothers embrace the craft wholeheartedly, while in the lodge and abroad in life.”

According to Dalinda, Masonry is rooted in symbols that connect Masons to deeper life meanings. In their case, the square, compasses and “G” work as these symbols. “The square, compasses, and the letter “G” are revealed to our members in the necessary degrees,” Dalinda stated.

A few years back, the steel piece was completed by a former brother of their lodge. Because of this, the group isn’t entirely sure what they’ll do if no one comes forward.

“We are just now talking internally [about] what we are gonna do if we can’t find it,” said Dalinda.

The Wallkill Lodge No. 627 F&AM has around 200 members, with 25 to 30 being consistently active. They often perform a lot of charity work, recently constructing a bench at the rail trail in Walden in accordance with a local Eagle Scout project.

They also provide two scholarships to two Valley Central High School seniors, help with the Town of Montgomery Food Pantry, host multiple breakfasts including Breakfast with Santa, marching in the Montgomery Day Parade and more.

“Freemasonry is a society of good men who do a lot of charity work in and around Walden, and within the county as a whole,” said Dalinda.

Walden Police, on Wednesday, reported the recovery of the stolen item, and released the following statement:

"The prized "G" has been safely returned to its rightful place thanks to the exceptional efforts and commitment of our dedicated officers and the support received from various law enforcement agencies and local businesses.

This recent incident posed a significant challenge for our law enforcement team. However, through their unwavering determination and meticulous investigative work, the Village of Walden Police Department has accomplished an outstanding feat in returning the stolen property. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following members for their extraordinary efforts:

* Officer Eric Metzger
* Officer Robert Reynolds
* Officer James Lynch

We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Town of Montgomery Police Department, Village of Maybrook Police Department, and the local businesses who generously provided crucial video footage of the suspect vehicle. Their collaboration and invaluable assistance significantly aided the investigation, enabling us to swiftly apprehend the culprit responsible for the theft.

The Village of Walden Police Department takes great pride in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community. We strive to uphold the values of integrity, accountability, and public trust. The successful recovery of the stolen property highlights the effectiveness of good old-fashioned police work and the dedication of our officers."