Brethren, 

The Summer Season is in full swing!  School is out, the weather is warm, and vacations are on many people’s mind.  This is a time to be active, enjoy the beauties of nature, and spend those extra hours of sunlight with our families and friends.  With July comes Independence Day, an important national holiday that deserves respectful observance and remembrance of the birth of our nation.  It is a time of festivities, friends, family, fireworks, barbecues, and thanksgiving for the all of the freedoms and opportunities America provides.  BBQ's, fireworks, and parades are American Independence Day traditions, but please remember that the freedoms we enjoy and protect were bought at a terrible price.  On this day, we should all take a moment to commemorate the sacrifices demanded of those who serve this country.  Remember to also honor the families of those who have lost loved ones and those whose loved ones are actively serving away from their families. We are fortunate to live in the greatest nation on earth and enjoy the many freedoms we take for granted. 

Both our nation and Fraternity have made great strides in becoming more inclusive.  The biography in this month’s Beehive does touch on the point that there was a time when we as a Fraternity were not as inclusive as we should have been.  Both our nation and the Fraternity have grown over the past few decades in this regard.  I now proudly look at our Lodge, our District, and the Fraternity as a whole and can see that some of the lessons taught in our Degrees are more fully followed, welcoming good men of all backgrounds. 

The Lodge is moving forward preparing for officer advancement as well as candidate proficiency.  Our Entered Apprentices are working hard to prepare themselves to be passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft and I expect to see numerous proficiencies over the next couple months at which time we should see an increase in the number of degrees.  We also have new applications for the Degrees of Masonry and affiliation and I look forward to being able to welcome these men as members of Wisdom Lodge in the near future.