Labor Day Message From The Grand Master
My Brothers …
The long days of summer are fading and we are rapidly approaching Labor Day and the start of a new season. Now, as autumn leaves begin to turn to gold, we pause to mark Labor Day … a national holiday we traditionally celebrate as a family day. But in a larger sense it also honors all us who labor in our great nation and those who preceded us and built the foundations of our great democracy.
Labor Day is a holiday to which all of us as Masons can relate. We who labor in the quarries of Masonry have much to celebrate. Joyce, Brian and I have been fortunate to participate with so many of you this summer in pleasurable Masonic milestones. And now, we all join together in September to begin a year long celebration of the 225th Anniversary of Freemasonry in New York.
As this celebration commences, Joyce and I will be watching our only son, Brian, leave the nest, and begin a new phase of his education at college. I know that, as he leaves, he has a strong foundation of family love and tradition to keep him on his path, while pursuing his dreams, aspirations and goals.
In the same way, I know that we as a Fraternity are at a similar point: we have our traditions and principles to guide our steps and our labor, while we strive to keep our Craft strong by drawing new plans upon our Trestleboard. With the legacy of 225 years to support us, our labors today and in the coming years will ensure that Freemasonry remains a vital and active part of our world. In September I urge you to rededicate yourself and your Lodge to the principles of our Brotherhood as so clearly stated in the Masonic Compact. With your active involvement we have an unprecedented opportunity to move our beloved fraternity forward to new heights of accomplishments. The best years of the Fraternity are ahead of us, not behind us, if we labor together.
On behalf of our family and your Elected and Appointed Grand Line, we hope that you and yours enjoy this Labor Day holiday to the fullest. God Bless you and your family. God Bless our Fraternity. May God continue to watch over our men and women in military service... and may God continue to Bless America!
Fraternally,
Neal I. Bidnick
Grand Master
September 2006
