MESH Supports Our Troops

Shown from left to right: Richard E. Fletcher, PGM, Executive Secretary of MSA; William P. Nottingham, Jr., President of MESH; John Hanson, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications of the USO; Robert B. Heyat, Grand Master of Masons in Washington, DC.

leadership keeps us down. We must constantly endeavor to elect qualified members to positions of leadership in our respective Lodges and especially our Grand Lodge. The secret of Freemasonry’s success over the ages lies in the fact that it is a meritocracy. Individual merit – rooted in accomplishments and not accumulated titles, leadership by example and not by edict, vision that inspires and not depresses, readiness to sacrifice, and willingness to dare – should be the basis for electing someone to a position of trust and leadership. I am so humbled after all these years of service by the trust that you have put in me, my Brethren, by electing me as your Grand Master for the 2008 Masonic Year. I hope and pray that I will live up to your expectations and help in a small way to further the noble goals of our Fraternity. Together we can dream it and together we can achieve it! ■ This done, the new year will be rich with blessings, both for us and for all with whom we come in contact, and we shall approach another St. John’s Day communication of the Grand Lodge prepared to give a satisfactory account of our stewardship. ■

In October the Masonic and Eastern Star Home Charities, Inc. (MESH) made a very generous contribution to the Masonic Service Association of North America (MSA) in support of Operation Phone Home.

Working with the United Services Organization (USO) funds are sent to purchase phone cards to be given to our troops, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. The check presentation took place at the Grand

In Search of Light continued from page 6

Installation Address

continued from page 10

Lodge’s Library and Museum. Message from Grand Secretary continued from page 7 Officers Elected The following Brethren were elected and will be installed at the Third Communication of the Grand Lodge on Saturday, December 8, 2007: Grand Master. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Akram R. Elias Deputy Grand Master . . . . . . . . . . Kwame Acquaah Senior Grand Warden . . . . . . . . . . Paul D. Gleason Junior Grand Warden. . . . . . . . . . . Jesse Villarreal Grand Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mansour Hatefi Grand Treasurer. . . . . . . . . . . . Robert F. Drechsler Grand Lecturer . . . . . . . . . Christopher K. Mahaney Senior Grand Deacon . . . . . . . . Joseph S. Crociata Junior Grand Deacon . . . . . . . . . . . . . Teko A. Foly Senior Grand Stewart. . . . . . . . . Kenneth D. Fuller Junior Grand Stewart. . . . . . . . . . James T. Feezell

To the secretaries who have served this past year, as well for many years, my sincere thanks for your dedicated and hard work, plus your cooperation in working with the Grand Secretary’s staff. In closing may I say that I look forward to working with you and for you to ensure that the year ahead will be as successful as we can make it. ■

Presentations of Valentine Reintzel Medals and Special Recognition continued from page 19

Freemasonry is truly fortunate to have a brother of such outstanding quality and dedication, and we have profited immensely from his wisdom and leadership. His infinite devotion to the Craft and his evergenerous conduct toward his fellow man within and without the lodge is of the highest degree. It is for these reasons, and many more, that I take great honor and pleasure in moving that the Grand Lodge recognize the faithful service and outstanding achievements of WB Harold Grainger by electing him to the office of Honorary Past Senior Grand Warden. ■

Initiation: The Journey Begins continued from page 18

The next part was the best, when everything became clear; I had the feeling that I had come out of total darkness and was seeing everything in a way I had not seen before; as if I was experiencing light for the first time; a shining light illuminating the path that I had so desperately been searching for; a path that motivates man to seek out God on his own, rather than being told to; a path that asks you to define God for yourself, rather than telling you what he is; a path that hinges on self-education and constant self-improvement rather than superficial lip-service.

I had found a home. The void that I had previously felt had been filled with an overwhelming sense of tranquility. The spiritual torrent of my mind had calmed to a tropical sunny day. I felt as though I had been reborn. The cynicism of my years had been stripped away. I was once again innocent; just as the lambskin apron I wear signifies. I am a blank slate ready to learn. I now wear my innocence with pride. ■

Grand Lodge Leadership Conference, Front Royal, Virginia continued from page 22

expectation that more time would be spent on the leadership training portion of the conference than was the case. The use of the Goldberg book could well provide that opportunity in the future for specific lodges to undertake their own “retreat” for the purpose of self-examination and training as it is specifically designed for that purpose. ■

Capitol Breakfast A Great Success continued from page 11

Many Brothers stayed long after the speeches were over and food was gone to finish their conversations (as well as start new ones). I think I speak for all of the Brethren in attendance when I say that the fellowship enjoyed was fantastic, the speeches that were made were inspiring, the connections that were created were extremely valuable, and the overall experience was one that is already desired again. Numerous times throughout the morning we were reminded that no matter whom one is in the “profane” world, we all meet “on the level” as Brothers.

It should be noted that a moment of silence was held for late Brother Representative Paul Gillmor, 33rd Degree, who passed away on September 5, 2007. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. ■