Independence Day Message

My Brothers and Friends, On this Fourth of July, as fireworks light the sky and flags wave proudly across our great nation, let us pause—not just to celebrate America’s birth—but to reflect on the meaning behind it. The ideals that gave rise to this Republic—freedom, justice, equality, and the dignity of all people—are the very values we as Masons hold sacred. Long before the ink dried on the Declaration of Independence, those values were being whispered in the quiet corners of our Lodges. Many of the Founders were Brethren. They dreamed of a nation where all could live in liberty, and they laid its foundation with wisdom drawn from the working tools of our Craft. But liberty is not a finished monument. It is a living labor. One that requires each of us—not just as citizens, but as Masons, fathers, husbands, mothers, partners, and neighbors—to build upon it every day. So today, let us celebrate—not just with parades and picnics, but with purpose. Let us rededicate ourselves to being good stewards of this precious gift of freedom. Let us model civility in an age of division. Let us extend compassion in a time of need. Let us be builders—of bridges, not walls; of understanding, not discord. And above all, let us remember that patriotism is more than pride—it is service. It is the quiet resolve to leave this country better than we found it—for our children, and for generations yet to come. To all my Brothers, to your families and loved ones, I wish a safe, joyful, and meaningful Independence Day. May God bless each of you. May God bless the United States of America. And may God bless our gentle Craft. With kind Brotherly love, I remain your Brother, Steven Adam Rubin Grand Master