Oh, Say Can You See?

Flagpole Dedication Response

Stewart Miner ,

Grand Secretary Emeritus

Iam grateful for this day and for the efforts of this Grand Lodge to honor all those who have responded affirmatively to our nation’s call to duty. That you have chosen to do so is a source of satisfaction to me and to those that I represent today. By this addition to our headquarters building, you are enabling the fraternity to affirm its continuing allegiance to a belief that here, in America, Masons support a fundamental principle which proclaims that no law-abiding citizen is ever to be deprived of liberty, justice, or opportunity. In searching for a theme to shape my comments on your very generous efforts to memorialize our service personnel, my thoughts eventually focused on the events which prompted Francis Scott Key to pen our national anthem. As I thought about his message, I was particularly intrigued by the haunting question he raised in the first line of his hymn, wherein he plaintively asked, “Oh, say can you see?” His words were well chosen because at that time his view of Ft. McHenry, from a vantage point on the deck of a ship that was situated well downstream from the fort, was impaired by the heavy morning fog that persistently hung over the water. In posing his question, “Oh, say can you see?”, Key gave voice to a query that has been posed repeatedly since the dawn of civilization. One of the greatest teachers of the world, for example, once reproached His disciples for their tendency to regard their circumstances without really appreciating what they were about. “You can see,” He observed, “but you do not understand.” I suppose that the failures about which that great spiritual leader complained are as ageless as time itself. Thus, on this occasion, as we dedicate this symbol of freedom, it seems appropriate that we ask each other, “Oh, say can you see?” And, just as pointedly, we should also ask, “What do you see?” During the course of this ceremony I have noted that some of the people passing by have looked with curiosity on our gathering. If I could ride with them I think I would ask, “Oh, say can you see, my friends, what it is that we are about on this dedication day?” I particularly wonder if they are able to perceive any connection between this gathering, this patriotic symbol, and this headquarters building of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. And I also wonder if they have any inkling of our purposes, as individuals and as Masons, in the society that we share. Is it possible that they see only a crowd of strangers gathered around a flag pole in front of a building? For the most part, the answer is probably “yes.” And without doubt our gathering is causing some of them to ask, “why?” On the other hand, there may be a few among the passers by, those who are more perceptive and intellectually curious, who possibly suspect that our ceremony is directed to something more substantial. Some, in fact, may even be able to see a connection between what we are doing here today and what our forefathers did, long ago, to develop and sustain our peculiar system of government, a multitude of precious institutions, and the principles by which life in America has become distinguished. More important than what the non-Mason passing our gathering may see or understand, however, as he or she casts a hasty glance this way, is what we, the Masons of this city, see and perceive in this exercise. Oh, what do you see, my brother Masons, as you look to our flag in this dedicatory exercise? Do you see the patriots who dared to sign the Declaration of Independence and thereafter risk body and soul to achieve the challenges of that document? Do you see that collection of intellectual and philosophical giants who wrote our Constitution and Bill of Rights? And do you see and appreciate the contributions of those who have since done so much, generation after generation, to sustain what we know as the American way of life?

If you do not see these things, what do you see? I would pray that at a minimum you might be able to truly appreciate the sacrifices and contributions of those who have made our nation one that is the envy of the world. I would also hope that you might all be able to see and to understand the serious challenges that are now being levied against our American concepts of liberty, morality, and righteousness. One would have to be blind of intellect to not recognize that there are now in our world community many who, without any hesitation whatsoever, stand ready to challenge our values, whenever and wherever they can, in a seemingly relentless effort to curb America’s influence, and the influence of others, around the world, who may share our values and persuasions.

Of no less importance, my brethren, is what we see as we look to the future. Will the tomorrow of time be frightful or fruitful? Will the future be prosperous or perilous for the Masonic order? The truthful answer to these and related questions is that we do not really know. Just as Key’s view of Ft. McHenry from his vantage point was impaired by the forces of nature, so is our view of the future impaired by our inability to accurately and adequately appreciate the potential of all of those forces of action and reaction that are now working to establish utopian forms of life, and Masonry, in it purest form, is clearly utopian. I find much comfort in recognizing that men like Washington, and Franklin, and the Roosevelts, Theodore and Franklin, and countless others too numerous to mention, were able, by their thoughts and deeds, to set the world on a course toward that noble and eternal goal – the establishment of a true and lasting brotherhood for all mankind. Standing on the foundation of their achievements, I have faith that the yearning of people everywhere – for liberty, equality, and fraternity – will assure continuation of the Masonic movement in all of the uncounted generations that are yet to come. This flag, in short, speaks to us of our past, our present, and our future. It signifies what we have been, are, and ever should be. Let us therefore resolve that we may, through unwavering conformance to obligation and promise, be found deserving of all of the blessings with which we have been so favorably endowed. Let me now conclude, as I began, by asking each of you, the question that Key asked his colleagues, “Oh say, can you see?” Hopefully your collective response will be an unequivocal, “yes, we can!” “Yes, indeed, we can see!” “Yes, indeed, we understand!” And, “yes, indeed, we do appreciate! If these be your answers to Key’s query, we can rejoice, knowing that by the achievements of this day, we have reaffirmed our intent that the Stars and Stripes shall wave continuously, until the end of time, over the land of the free and the home of the brave. As Americans and as Masons we are truly blessed. Thanks be to God. ■

Flagpole Dedication. MW Stewart W. Miner delivers dedication response.