GRAND MASTER’S MESSAGE
Grand Master’s Message Brethren:
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s I compose this message, my last contribution as Grand Master for our Grand Lodge publication, The Voice of Freemasonry, my thoughts are fixed on the aspirations that I held last December, when I assumed office, and on the achievements of D.C. Masonry in the months that have since elapsed. It seems to me that time and fortune have repeatedly favored Freemasonry in this jurisdiction, and primarily because of the diligence and perseverance of so many, we have been able to successfully convert the challenges we have encountered into opportunities to be realized. In consequence of our efforts, at every level, both the Craft and the community have been immeasurably benefitted. At the time of my installation at the Third Communication of 2005, I harbored two basic visions. First, I wanted to strengthen the Craft, to remove all elements of division; to reinforce the walls of peace and harmony that bind us together; and to make us all more acutely aware of our Masonic heritage, our Masonic resources, and our Masonic obligations. These goals, I believe, have been achieved by those who have worked the plan, as set out on our trestle board, and have, in response, planned their work accordingly. In consequence of our labor together, we have set new benchmarks for the Craft. I am impressed, for example, by what has been done by our lodges to turn membership trends into a more favorable direction. In the year ending on September 30th, 133 men were raised in 26 of our 34 degree-conferring lodges. That is great. And another 32 Master Masons were just raised in our 2006 Grand Master's Class. We may be approaching the dawn of a new day, one in which new leaders, new ideas, and new and innovative programs will stimulate the interest of all of our Masons, young and old. My second vision at the time of my installation was one that involved a continuation of our established public relations programs, along with the development of new efforts to strengthen our ties to the various communities that make up this great city. Happily, in that endeavor, we have enjoyed much success. The Initiated Eye Exhibit, for example, has been on continuous display in the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and it is now scheduled for showings elsewhere by several sister Grand Lodges.
This year our community relations effort included the hosting of some 400 inner-city youth at a Washington Nationals baseball game; sponsorship of the D.C. Special Olympics; a wreath-laying, in conjunction with our Universal Brotherhood Celebration, at the National Law Enforcement Memorial; the presentation of our Grand Lodge Medal of Freedom to an outstanding congresswoman; the raising of $26,000 for the refurbishing of the chapel at the Washington, D.C. Veteran's Affairs Medical Center; and collaboration with the National Geographic Society to produce a video on Masonry for viewing on the National Geographic Channel. M.W. Brother I am especially grateful to the offiAlbert McNair Smith cers and members of East Gate Lodge No. 34, my mother lodge, for the support they have provided me all through the year. I am especially appreciative of their arrangement of a testimonial in my honor at our former Grand Lodge building at 13th Street and New York Avenue. It gave many of us who had not previously had the opportunity to meet in that building, when it was ours, a chance to savor the good taste, the hard work, and the perseveraence of those who had the wisdom to build it.
While it is not possible, nor prudent, for me to attempt to recognize all who have made this an eventful year, I do want to express my gratitude to several groups of brethren who, by their willingness to work without hope of fee or reward, lightened my burdens considerably. Included therein are the officers and members of the constituent lodges; the officers and members of the Grand Lodge, elected and appointed; the Past Grand Masters; and the many members of the Grand Lodge committees, without whose efforts program implementation, in many instances, would have been impossible. Before I close I want to commend our Grand Secretary, MW Mansour Hatefi, and his staff Todd Duehring, Dean Clatterbuck, and Walter Hoenes for their exemplary support. My every want was their command. This Grand
continued on page 4 The Voice of Freemasonry
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