GRAND MASTER’S HOMECOMING
Grand Master’s Homecoming very homecoming is “special,” as was that sponsored by East Gate Lodge No. 34 on March 20, 2006, for its illustrious son, Most Worshipful Brother Albert McNair Smith, Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia. It was an evening filled with Masonic labor, good old-fashioned fellowship, and outstanding entertainment. The food was delicious, the program inspiring, and the music was fitting.
Patrick N. Nnaji, P.M. Grand Swordbearer
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the Chamber Orchestra of the United States Marine Corps. This group also entertained later in the evening, when they played music appropriate for the celebration of Mozart’s 250th birthday. The quartet included violinist Master Gunnery Sergeant Kim H. Miller, violinist Vicki Panics, violinist Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Shiah, and cellist Staff Sergeant Charlie Powers. Present at this event were the many dignitaries and their ladies, including, Mary Smith, wife of the Grand Master, Past Grand Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, and the heads of the Appendant Masonic Bodies in D.C. In brief remarks after his introduction, the Grand Master thanked the assembled guests for their presence and expressed pride in East Gate Lodge and the Grand Lodge. In a moving ceremony the Grand Master, assisted by the Grand Secretary, RW Mansour Hatefi, PGM, presented WB Oran Conrad his 50-year Masonic Veteran’s Emblem. Brother Conrad, who was Master of East Gate Lodge in 1962, expressed his appreciation in the presence
Grand Master Presents 50-year Veteran’s Emblem to WB Oran Conrad
Most Worshipful Brother Smith was raised in East Gate Lodge, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1996. Appointed Grand Standard Bearer in 1998, he was elected Junior Grand Steward in 1999. Serving through the stations and places in Grand Lodge, he was installed Grand Master in December 2005. The homecoming festivities began with dinner for the brethren and their guests. While dining they were serenaded with classical music provided by the Casablanca Strings Quartet, a group made up of select members of The Voice of Freemasonry
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WB Oran Conrad speaks, in the presence of his family, of his love of the Craft.
