Grand Lodge Flagpole Dedication

Grand Lodge

Flagpole Dedication

Todd Duehring ,

PM

On Sunday afternoon, October 8, 2006, Grand Masthe first Flag Act as follows: “Resolved, that the flag of the ter Albert McNair Smith, assisted by the stationed United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and officers of the Grand Lodge, Masonically consecrated white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, repthe flagpole recently erected near the entrance of the resenting a new Constellation.” I am proud to tell you that the Grand Lodge building on MacArthur Boulevard. This flag was designed by Congressman Francis Hopkinson of New addition to our headquarters was intended, he said, “to Jersey, signer of the Declaration of Independence and a honor the men and women of our military forces,” and to Freemason, whose father, Thomas Hopkinson, was Grand do so, he added, “in the name of Grand Secretary EmerMaster of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. itus, Stewart W. Miner.” Freemasonry’s contribution to the American flag doesn’t end Presiding over the dedicatory program was Akram Elias, with the founding of the nation and the design of the flag. On Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge, who also delivSeptember 8, 1892, a Boston based magazine, The Youth’s ered an inspiring keynote address. Among those present Companion, published a few words for students to repeat on to observe the proceedings, in addition to the Grand Columbus Day that year: “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and Lodge officers noted, were a number of officers and memthe Republic for which it stands, one nation indivisible, with libbers of the constituent, appendant and coordinate bodies erty and justice for all.” The original words of the Pledge of of Masonry in the District of Allegiance were written by Reverend Columbia, representatives of the Francis Bellamy, a Freemason. Palisades Community, and friends Mindful of this rich heritage, leaders and family of the honoree. and members of the Grand Lodge of In his keynote remarks RW Elias Free And Accepted Masons of the set out the purpose and the signifDistrict of Columbia have gathered icance of the dedicatory program this Sunday afternoon to dedicate the as follows: raising of the American flag by the “Unlike most other countries where entrance of the Grand Lodge buildnational identity has been shaped by ing. The ceremony you’re about to blood ties, shared religious beliefs or witness is rich in symbolism and has common culture, in the United been employed by Freemasons over States, Americans are bound the centuries whenever they laid cortogether by an idea; a powerful idea nerstones of public buildings, that has been shaping the evolution of including the most majestic building the human condition for the past two in our country, the Capitol, seat of and a half centuries. This idea, ingrained in individual liberty, is articulated in our most sacred secular William H. Stone, PM, Justice-Columbia Lodge No. 3, presented Stewart W. Miner, PGM and Grand Secretary Emeritus, with a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol. the Congress of the United States of America. The message the ceremony conveys is crystal clear: It is to documents, the Declaration of Inderemind the future occupants of the pendence, The Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Prominent building that the purpose of their Freemasons, from Paul Revere to George Washington to labor ought not to be to subjugate people or rule over them, but Theodore Roosevelt and Harry Truman, have labored hard rather to bring about Happiness, Peace and Prosperity to the over the centuries to preserve, defend and nurture that idea. citizens of the nation. The flag is the constant reminder to all of us of what that idea Today’s ceremony is dedicated to the memory of the service men is all about. On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an offiand women who have given their lives in defense of our councial flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed try, and in honor of Stewart Wilson Miner, Grand Secretary

Emeritus and Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of the District of Columbia. Brother Miner has labored for decades in the quarries of Freemasonry, first in the State of Virginia where he became Grand Master in 1974, and later since 1975, in the District of Columbia. His commitment to furthering Masonic enlightenment and his extraordinary leadership in promoting the universality of Freemasonry have earned him the utmost respect of the Freemasons in our nation’s capital, in our country, and indeed around the world. Brother Miner is also an exemplary American citizen. He served proudly in the armed services of our country during WWII, the most defining

Grand Lodge officers dedicate the Grand Lodge Flagpole.

moment of the 20 th century, and was a loyal public servant in

defense is unity.” “But together,” he said, “we are smarter

our government until his retirement. It is in his honor and in

and stronger than we would be if we tried to stand alone.”

recognition of his extraordinary contribution to Freemasonry and the American Experiment that we dedicate this ceremony.”

The ceremony was brought to a close by Assistant Grand Chaplain, Kenneth D. Fuller, who offered the following

The keynote address was followed by the presentation to Brother Miner of a U.S. flag that had previously been flown over the U.S. Capitol. Assisted by Brother Todd Duehring, Brother Miner thereupon raised this flag and then lowered it to half staff in tribute to the recently deceased Grand Lodge Historian, Carl R. LeVine, and Past Grand Master, Perry A. Lester. Following prayer in their memory, offered by the Reverend David Balcom, Grand Chaplain, the flag was returned to its fully raised position.

Following a round of introductions and the recognitions of Masonic and community leaders, Brother Miner delivered a short address in which he spoke to a theme suggested by the first line of our national anthem. In his remarks, reproduced in a separate article in this issue of the “ Voice,” he called upon the Masons of this generation to demonstrate the foresight and resolve manifested time after time by American men and women who have been as one in their resolve that our unique national experiment shall endure the challenge of time. prayer:

O God, whom we praise in many tongues, call by many names and worship in diverse ways, bless, we pray you, this monument dedicated to our dear brother and friend, Stewart Wilson Miner, and to the servants of our nation, those veterans who have served us in the past and those heros who serve us around the world today. As this flag pole is rooted in our nation’s soil, so may we be rooted in the word of your holy writings. As this ground has been dedicated with corn, wine and oil, so may our lives be fed with useful labor, firm friendship, and the joy of service. As this pole rises with strength, straight and true toward the sky, so may our resolve be ever firmly and directly pointed to justice, truth and charity. As the orb crowns this pole as the sun crowns the day, so may our lives be lived ever in light. As the flag flying proudly above our head is made of silk of red,

Prior to the benediction the Grand Master aptly observed that the concepts of duty, honor, and sacrifice for one’s country, virtues on which this nation was originally founded, have remained guidelines for America and Americans for more than two centuries. “It is well that we keep these values in sight,” he said, for today “we face many challenges.” Noting that in our current effort to persevere, he pointed out that, “our greatest weapon of white, and blue, stars, stripes, and field, so may our diversity be our strength. As the flag is filled with the four winds of earth and heaven, so may our lives be filled with the winds of spiritual power and glory. We pray this in the name of the one and living God, the Grand Architect of the Universe, the Father of us all.” Amen.