GRAND MASTER'S MESSAGE TO THE CRAFT ... JULY 4, 2010

June 27,  2010

My Brothers,

As your Grand Master I am privileged to ask you to join with me in a special celebration and reverent observance of INDEPENDENCE DAY, next Sunday, July 4, 2010.  We all celebrate July 4th  in some manner and most of us are really fortunate do to be able to do so with our family and loved ones.  

This year I am asking you to please remember that we are still a nation at war!   So next Sunday I would hope that you will do a few special little things to help commemorate and respect what our independence and freedoms really mean.

There are so many people around the world who have little reason to celebrate anything.  And certainly the men and women in our armed forces deserve to be remembered on this day while they are carrying out their mission, many of them far from their home and loved ones, to help protect and defend the liberties fought for and won so many years ago so that we can still have a very real reason to celebrate.

I am not going to give a history lesson.  As Freemasons, we all know how the 13 colonies became united and our forefathers, so many of them Brother Masons, fought for and won our nation's independence and freedom from tyranny and oppression.

All I ask is that you fly an American flag on this July 4th and then say a small prayer of thanksgiving for all of the many liberties you enjoy, and perhaps take for granted, and for which you and your family are so grateful.  I ask that you remind your family and loved ones why you are doing this... why you are proud of our American flag ... why you are grateful to the Supreme Architect of the Universe for the many blessings He has bestowed.

With all good wishes to you and those you love on behalf of my wife Ginny and our family, as well as on behalf of our Deputy Grand Master RW Jim Sullivan and Gail, and our entire elected and appointed Grand Line.   Thank you for joining with us and our extended family as together with our Brother Masons and their families around the world, we join in this special July 4th observation and celebration.

Fraternally,

M\W\ VINCENT LIBONE

Grand Master