Acceptance Speech as the 107th Grand Master

Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters, my colleagues of the Grand Lodge, Brethren, Ladies, and Honored Guests: I stand before you today deeply honored and profoundly grateful for the trust you have bestowed upon me in electing me as the 107th Grand Master of this Grand Jurisdiction. This is not only a personal milestone, but a testament to the strength and unity of our fraternity. I am humbled by your confidence and inspired by the legacy of leadership and service that has been passed down through generations. Generations of men who knew that to truly be a Freemason it wasn’t just while they were in the lodge room, or when someone was watching; it was to live that life ALL DAY / EVERY DAY. I want to thank Most Worshipful R.J. Kessler for the wonderful Installation of Officers. It was a roll of the dice my friends. With GM Kessler, I was either going to be Installed as a Most Excellent Grand High Priest or a Most Worshipful Grand Master. I think we got it right and I’m a Grand Master. I want to express my gratitude to ALL of the Past Grand Masters for their support and guidance. They’ve been a valuable resource for me these past two years and I will continue to seek their wise counsel for the next two. I must also thank MW Rubin, who continually cultivated a spirit of collaboration, ensuring that I was included in much of the decision making over the past two years. I fully intend on doing the same with the newly elected Deputy Grand Master. I also want to thank the Grand Secretary, Right Worshipful Richie Schulz, not only for his help and support but also for his friendship. My Brothers – let’s get something straightened out right now. There was a famous Hogan & Schulz team back in the late 1960s. (picture shown from Hogan’s Heroes show) No relation. I will tell you this though…RW Rich Schulz, RW Rick Bateman, and that entire staff in the Grand Secretary’s Office work hard. They work hard for YOU. The mantle of responsibility weighs heavy, and I pledge to each and every one of you that I will perform the duties appertaining to this high office with the kindness, respect, and integrity that is demanded and expected of the office. You may have noticed that I took the Obligation as Grand Master on a small worn Bible, and not the “George Washington Bible” that the other Brothers took their Obligations on. I took my Obligations for Senior Grand Warden and Deputy Grand Master on the Washington Inaugural Bible, and if St. John’s Lodge # 1 will allow us to use it again next year, I’ll use it then. I promised myself that if I got elected Grand Master, I would take my Obligation using my Dad’s Masonic Bible. Think about it though – how lucky we are here in New York to have such a National Treasure. The Bible that Worshipful Brother George Washington took the Oath of Office as the first President of our Great Nation. I want to thank the Brothers of St. John’s Lodge #1 for continuing to preserve it and allow us to share in history. I know there are some of you here – please stand and be recognized. I want to thank the Brethren from the “Mighty” Mid-Hudson District for their love and for their support over the past 35 years. I want to thank RW Nick Paolicelli, Past Jr. Grand Warden, one of my most ardent supporters…just PLEASE stay away from folding chairs Nicky. There are three Brothers that are no longer with us – but knew I was on this path and supported me from the beginning: Brother Fred Kratzer, RW Johnny Anderson – and my Dad. They are all with me here… Will the Brethren that traveled here from Lebanon please rise. These are some of the bravest men you will ever meet. You all know how I feel about you – thank you so much for coming. There are some very special people that have come to share my very special day. Some of you may have met them last night at Russo’s. My son Steven and his fiancé Natalie came up from South Carolina. My son(and Brother)Justin, his wife Amber, and three of my grandchildren: Aaliyah, Elijah, and Ieva. I want to thank the Grand Lodge Convention Committee under the direction of RW Don Mattson for putting on an outstanding weekend. I must thank RW Frank Miller our Grand Organist and the Masonic Men’s Choir for a wonderful musical program during the Installation. To the retiring Grand Line Officers, thank you for your untiring devotion to our beloved Craft. To the newly-elected and appointed Officers – I welcome you to the team and look forward to working closely with you for the next two years. Freemasons that were the founders of this nation were men of Virtue. They put the common good before their own. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the idea that common men could govern themselves. Every generation of Freemason since has worked to be worthy of that noble birth. We strive to be the same great men as our forefathers. To be beacons of light and hope just as those lanterns in the Old North Church were 250 years ago. Let us remain united in our core Masonic principles of Integrity, Service to Humanity, Justice, Tolerance, Reverence for God, and Devotion to Country. Let us all be Freemasons – ALL DAY / EVERY DAY. May the Great Architect of the Universe watch over our Military Personnel both at home and abroad; may He keep our First Responders safe from harm, and may God Bless this wonderful 250-year-old experiment called the United States of America. Thank you. Robert L. Hogan, Jr. Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York

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This article was originally published by Grand Lodge of New York. Read the full original article here.