Foot Patrol

2010 Officers

PRESIDENT:   Billy Bumgarner
VICE PRESIDENT:   Rusty Gellner
SECRETARY/TREASURER:   Kevin Bumgarner
1st LIEUTENANT:   Dennis Hunt

HISTORY

The Foot Patrol is a precision marching unit that was organized in 1921. The unit performs at various Temple functions and often helps carry the flags in parades. They participate in Texas Shrine Patrol Association (TSPA) "Mid-Winter" each year (usually in March) and compete annually at Texas Shrine Association Convention in June. The Patrol also conducts fund raisers which enable it to make donations to local charities.

The Patrol has been a member of TSPA since it was formed in October 1953; Maskat had three delegates at that organizational meeting. Maskat Patrol past presidents of TSPA are:

   1957 -- Jim Mims
           1965 -- Freddy Bumgarner
           1982 -- Charles Oldham
           1994 -- Bobby Burross
   2001 -- Robert Hyde

TSPA Mid-Winter is held Wichita Falls when the president of TSPA is a member Maskat.

Over years, the Patrol has placed second or third many times in All State competition; in 1977 they won first place in San Antonio with Cutter Burrus as their Captain. Thay also won first place in 2001 in Mesquite with Billy Bumgarner as their Caption

Each year after All State, the Patrol elects a Captain to conduct practices and lead the drill team in performances and competition. In 2001, Mark Baker was elected Captain after High Priest & Prophet Billy Bumgarner resigned. The Captain may appoint a quartermaster, a drill master, and a 1st Lieutenant. The Patrol also elects new officers to conduct the business and social affairs unit, usually in December.

In 2001, the Patrol had 50 members, including 13 Life Members. A noble becomes a Life Member after being in the Patrol for 25 years. There are 13 Life Members.