KCCH

Written By KCCH Tyrone S. Hurley, Jr., 32°

To tell this story of my journey to this prestigious honor, we must return for a moment to September 25th, 2021. On this day, at 5:30 am, I arose from my sleep, got on my knees and prayed to the Almighty with one request: Like footprints in the sand, I needed Him to carry me through today.

This day weighed heavily on my heart as it became the epicenter of some very significant milestones in my life. The day marked my first venture from ancient craft masonry in my Lodge into the vast expanse of masonry. I had been a Master Mason for 10 years at that point, recently acknowledging the milestone 8 days prior. However, it had only been 2 years since I returned to my lodge to perform our good work. I had been on hiatus for about 5 years, taking time away to become a husband, a father, and a better provider for my family. Once I found that balance, I returned because I felt I owed it to my lodge to come back and aid in the great work it performed. However, as it pertains to seeking more light in masonry, I was ready to continue my travels and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was my next destination.

However, with this excitement also brought sadness and turmoil for me as the day also marked the anniversary of my mother’s passing. She was my rock in this world, and the pain of losing her never truly goes away. It plagued me to the point where I was uncertain if I would even make it out of the door that day to the temple to advance and have the degrees conferred. In that moment of prayer, I heard my mother’s voice. And in her strong Bajan accent, she told me, “Get up off the floor son, get yourself together and go. Life goes on, and so does my love for you. “As I rose from my prayer position,

I dressed in the masonic standard attire and departed for the temple to advance...

And I am so glad that I did. I was unaware, but the experience of becoming a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret awoke a fire in me. As the degrees were conferred, it felt as if I was finally given the code to unlock the rest of an ancient book bestowed upon me a decade prior. Where it just sat there, patiently awaiting my return, until I was brave enough to dust it off and finally delve into its lost pages and learn the unabridged story that was only partially revealed to me as a Master Mason. With that fire, I began to commit to the tasks and duties when received. Whether called upon by our President of the Eagles Club, Knight Commander Kevin Moultrie, 32° (a Sublime Prince at the time); our Illustrious Overseer of the Works, Sovereign Grand Inspector General Marcus D. James,

Sr., 33°; or our Illustrious Deputy for the Orient of Washington, D.C., Sovereign Grand Inspector General Eric F. Konohia, 33°; I felt it necessary to be present an accounted for as well use whatever skills I possessed to move the mission of the Orient forward. As a young Sublime Prince, I wanted to know everything. Rehearsals, I was present; Workshops, I was among the Fraters eager to learn; Ritualistic work, I study and practice. As long as I could be a part and give back for the honor of receiving this rank, I was ready to contribute. This included my attributes in the field of Information Technology and my passion for camera and video production, which I was honored to utilize during my first Annual Session for the Orient in April of 2022, where I was fortunate to be tasked with filming the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

WORDS MEAN EVERYTHING!

1. To implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly (usually followed by upon or in): to inculcate virtue in theyoung.

2. to cause or influence (someone) to accept an idea or feeling (usually followed by with): Socratesinculcatedhispupilswiththeloveoftruth.