Let's declare war on Mexico and take back the flag!
On a similar note, my Masonic lodge's number (Triune #15) was originally assigned to a lodge in what now would be Santa Fe, New Mexico. The expedition that was to bring the charter there was captured by the Mexicans; while the dispensation was lost, record of the capture is in the Mexican Army archives. A lodge brother actually went down to Mexico City and pulled a lot of strings just to get access to the files.
When my mother lodge was formed (in 1920) they requested the use of the unassigned lodge number; it was granted by the Grand Lodge of Texas.