From the East... by WB Aureo Macaraeg
February 2007 WMs article also includes reflections on Bro. President Gerald Ford
From the West... by Bro. Art Rathman SW
From the South... by Bro. Kris Goins JW
From the South... by Bro. Peter Francis JW Pro-Tem
Welcoming remarks from WB Aureo Macaraeg
Good Evening!
First and foremost, I would like everyone to stand up and join me in a silent prayer for the men and women in uniform who paid th eultimate sacrifice to defend the values and beliefs that we hold dear- from the time our founding fathers built this nation, to this moment tonight. Let us bow our heads in prayer.
To my fellow veterans, we salut you and thank you for all of your dedication, devotion, and for the sacrifices you have made for the cause of liberty so that we, of this generation, and the children of future generations can enjoy the fruits of your sacrifices.
Brotherly love, Charity, relief beyond the pursuit of life... liberty and happiness are all values and ideals that we, as freemasons, hold dear. However, for these values, we do not pay the ultimate sacrifice. We pay for the time that we should have spent with our families and friends. Our wages are the happiness that we receive for the various services we provide to our fellowmen. But my brothers, let it not be mistaken that the service our brotherhood provides, though less demanding, has also contributed in the change of the course of history.
We joined this brotherhood for various reasons and speaking from my experience, I joined the fraternity initally because my father and brothers are all masons.
However, I have discovered that the content and the significance of being a mason is not because my father and brothers are masons. It is beyond that. I have found in my masonic journey- from being an apprentice mason to becoming senior warden, that the content and significance of being a mason is also the ultimate and supreme proposition which is embedded in the core of the American spirit, and that is the service to all mankind. I am therefore humbled by my initial reason in joining this fraternity of selfless, good hearted and dedicated men.
Tonight I admit that I have crossed paths with Destiny because tonight, my brothers, I appear before you to accept the trust that you have bestowed upon me as your incoming Worshipful Master, of the Peoria Lodge, number 31, in the sunny state of Arizona. I am deeply humbled by your generosity and I will try to do my utmost best, with your support, to exercise the duties of this office. I thank you.
The theme for my term is "Rise to the Challenge, Think Anew, and Act Anew." This will be the spirit that I suggest permeate this Lodge and should be embraced by the new set of officers and each member, in working to achieve our goals for this year.
Think anew are the key words with which we should act anew. It is not symbolic for the sake of rhetoric, it is an operative word which should challenge each one of us to do better in whatever we do. And, most of all, this should apply not only for the success of our lodge, but in managing the issues that challenge us in our daily lives.
So, the question "Can we do better or can I do better?" is definitely a question that we should ask ourselves when we are given a task to do for this lodge, at work, or at play with our families.
When we start thinking of new ways of doing things and acting or executing these ideas intelligently, you and I know that we can achieve better results; maybe more efficient use of time, more effective presentation, or saving more money in the process.
So, whatever challenges you face in the lodge, freemasonry per se, or your personal and professional lives, my brothers
If we forge the future together as brothers, as a family unit, and united wit ha common purpose to do better
To do better, then you and I both know that we will be successful.
Finally, before I close, I would like to present these flowers at the altar.
My brothers, ladies, and gentlemen, you are witnesses to the solemnity of this occasion within the confines of this consecrated hall by our divine ruler.
For my purpose now, these two Roses at the alter are symbols of a mother's love that never fails: The white, the love of a mother who has passed on the other shore, and the red, a mother who still lives to bless our lives. For all the sacrifices they have made, we shall endeavor to live our lives worthy of their love. As a token of gratitude, we present these flowers as a symbol of our love to mothers whose love never fails.
Today is Veteran's Day. It is a day to honor the brave men and women who fought and died for the mother of all mothers. Her name is LIBERTY. We enjoy our freedom today because of the sacrifices of these brave men and women. For all of the sacrifices they have made, we will live our lives to be worthy of them and to be ready when called upon to defend our values, ideals, and way of life. As a token of our gratitude, we present these flowers.
Last but not least, I would like to dedicate these roses to my wife Carol, a symbol of love and gratitude for your understanding and support of my Masonic life.
My brothers, ladies, and gentlemen, in closing, I would like to thank you all for coming to witness this installation of the new set of officers. As a token of our thanks, on behalf of Peoria Lodge No. 31, we would like to invite you to join us for dinner which we will have right after benediction, in the next room. Thank you!
Aureo Macaraeg W.M.