Thank you, and farewell

Worshipful Master, Right Worshipfuls, Very Worshipfuls, Worshipfuls, Brethren All:  I bring you the most heartfelt fraternal greetings of our Grand Master, The Most Worshipful Edward G. Gilbert.  Brother Secretary, I ask that this copy of the Grand Master’s Address, which was given on his behalf on St. John’s Day, June 27^th, 2009 in the Daniel D. Tompkins Memorial Chapel, be spread upon the minutes of our present Communication.

Two years.  Two years?  What is chronologically more than 700 days seems to have passed in a blink of an eye.  To be certain, there were days which were harder than some, longer than some; but those were decidedly in the minority of what has been an adventure unlike any other.  For the days that were less than stellar, let the record show that they were on account of my shortcomings.  However, for the all of those greater times, I am deeply in the debt of quite a few Brothers.  Luckily, I have been able to thank quite a few of you this very evening.  But for some who cannot be here, and for some groups, I have a few more words.

First and foremost, I want to thank our Grand Master, The Most Worshipful Edward G. Gilbert.  It was by his selection and appointment that I began this journey.  His guidance was loving and constant.  When sudden health issues made his regular participation difficult, our Deputy Grand Master was there to help.  Any here would find his job nearly impossible; to lead the Craft without usurping the Grand Master’s leadership.  Yet that balancing act was perfectly executed; reminding us of the important lesson that regardless of our current title or station, we all serve our Grand Master and Grand Lodge at all times and under all conditions.  I look forward to continuing to serve him in whatever capacity he may need in the future.

I would also like to thank the members of Grand Lodge who guided me in the proper way to complete the necessary work of this job.  The Grand Treasurer, Grand Secretary, Grand Pursuivant, and the administrative assistant to the Assistant Grand Secretary all took regular time to answer my many questions, and even tolerated my dropping in for many a cup of coffee.  All of which helped me immeasurably in my understanding of how things are to be done.

I would like to thank my fellow District Deputies, both in the Metropolitan region, as well as elsewhere in our Grand Lodge.  Through many phone calls and e-mails, we found that, while our Districts may each have their own pulse, we share a common heartbeat.  Your unique perspectives were an integral part of my understanding of that bigger picture.  And, while I was born a man who always appreciated the light of the big city; I have become a Mason who is equally appreciative of the beautiful carpet of light found in the skies of the more northern and rural parts of our jurisdiction.  It is only together, as a unique blend of both city and country Lodges, that we are worthy of the name, the Empire State.

I owe a unique debt to the Past District Deputies of the 1^st Westchester-Putnam District.  These Brothers guided my deliberations with a historical perspective that my short 2 year term could never equal.  I called on their advice regularly, and they always gave it; honestly and privately.  And at the end of the day, whether my final action was in agreement with their advice or not, they supported me 100%.  I could not have asked for better examples of how I am to comport myself as a Past District Deputy Grand Master.

I would like to thank the Masters of the Lodges of our District, both this year and last.  These Brothers not only planned for the unique trestle boards of their individual Lodges, but also embraced the idea of a District trestle board, where Lodges tried their hardest not to schedule conflicting Degrees and special events.  This is nearly impossible in a District where 5 of the 10 Lodges meet on conflicting nights.  Yet these Masters took that challenge up and made it happen.  Not only did they show that courtesy, but many Lodges, if they had a regular business meeting, would finish their regular business and close as quickly as possible so that they could travel to support another Lodge that had a Degree or special presentation that night.  These Masters supported their Grand Lodge at my official visits and at the Grand Lecturer’s Convention.  They gave greater life to attendance at our Charities Corporation Ball.  And yet they remembered their roots and forefathers, gathering as well at our annual Lodge of Remembrance.  Their leadership ensured that anyone could have been a successful District Deputy Grand Master these past 2 years, and I hope they always remember my thanks to them for their support.

As this is my Homecoming, I hope you will permit me a small indulgence.  I would like address the members of Briarcliff Lodge #1155.  My Brothers, when it was announced 2 years ago that I would be the District’s recommendation to our new Grand Master, I knew that this would be a challenge for me, but it would be a special challenge for our Lodge.  For, while I hoped that my deeds and actions while in office would garner me support, I needed your help to start.  I knew that anything I requested or expected from any other Lodge in the District would only make sense if my Lodge had demonstrated the same.  I asked our Masters that you attend various events, and you came.  Starting with the largest representation at St. John’s weekend in 2008, your support was unequalled at each Lodge of Remembrance, and at both Grand Lecturer’s Conventions.  You were also one of the top Lodges in attendance at each Charity Ball, as well as Degrees and nights throughout our District.  Your attendance at my official visits is the stuff of legends.  Eighteen out of my twenty visits, you had the largest attendance, including a historic run of 14 consecutive visits; which involved retiring the gavel for a whole year of my term.  All of this while carrying on the necessary work of our Lodge; much that was done largely in my absence.  Because of the nature of my job, as well as my commitments to my village Fire Department and my family, I was absent from a portion of the activities of my own Lodge.  Sometimes, I sat outside during a regular meeting, so as to ensure that the Lodge could accomplish the work of the evening, holding my entrance so that its necessary ritual would not disrupt the regular work of my Lodge.  I thank our Masters and Past Masters for their understanding and for explaining these necessities.  Most importantly, I thank you, My Brothers, for all of your unwavering support.  I shall never forget you for it, and I shall always be in your debt.

Finally, I would like to recognize the most important group here, the Brothers of the First Westchester-Putnam District.  My Brothers, it was my pleasure to be among you on most every night of the past two years.  Some meetings were a simple night to gather together in the regular business of the Lodge, some nights we honored the long service in the quarries of another Brother.  Some nights we gathered in extending a hand to Brother in need.  Some nights we proudly honored a fallen Brother.  But regardless of the event, every night was a great night because you, my Brothers, understood the magic that always happens when we are together.  Men, all wanting to advance our world, gather together and choose to call one another “Brother”, create such magic.  You, my Brothers, were the ones that created that magic.

Each one of us here tonight stands on the shoulders of giants.  Brothers, who never knew our name, but yet knew we would be here, built this world for us.  We now build for Brothers who will come years after our passing, because we know the value of our world, and we know that they will come.  Without the work of each one of you, this world would not continue; this magic would cease.  These past 2 years, you welcomed me into your Lodges and let me be part of that magic; and for that, I will be eternally thankful.

Worshipful Master, I thank you for the courtesies extended to me, the Grand Sword Bearer, and all of our Brothers in attendance this evening.  My Brothers, over the past 2 years, I came home every night asking myself the same questions, “Was I a great leader tonight?” and, more importantly, “Was I the best Mason I could be?”  Only recently have I found a response to those questions in the deepest depths of my soul.  And it will be the same answer that I would give if questioned tomorrow, or a thousand tomorrows hence:  I don’t know.  I know that I tried my best, with a burning love for our Craft and all my Brothers, and only time will tell if that best was good enough.  But although I may be unsure of my own place in history, I am absolutely sure of one thing.  For a brief moment in that eternal history, a time that will shine ever brightly in my life, I had the unparalleled pleasure and distinct honor of leading and working with the best Masons that anyone could ever hope to know. And for that privilege, I will always be the luckiest man alive.  Thank you, and farewell.