My dear Brothers, it’s hard to believe that my year as Grand Master is rapidly drawing to a close. Linda and I thank everyone who helped make this an experience of a lifetime. We have traveled this Great State all year and have been met with nothing but warm welcomes and gracious hospitality. Everywhere we have traveled, we have been welcomed as family and we appreciate each of you.
As of this edition, we have placed a Veterans Memorial at both the Browning and Western Reserve Masonic Communities. We are still waiting on final approval from the VA to place the other two in Ohio’s National Cemeteries in Dayton and Rittman. My hope is that by the time you receive this edition, they will be in place. I thank the many Lodges and individual Masons who contributed to this great project. Funds are still coming into the Grand Lodge Charitable Foundation for our Veteran’s Projects and my hope is to be able to sponsor a Honor Flight from each of the five locations in Ohio that they operate from. This line item within the Charitable Foundation will continue into the future to assist with funding other Veteran’s Programs.
Through the Amnesty Program, 470 Master Masons were reinstated representing 221 Lodges. I am very pleased in the results. However, I feel we all need to work toward a goal of not losing a single member.
The Replace Yourself Program has not proven as successful as I had hoped. Our Lodges raised 477 Master Masons from October 31st through June 30th. Of those, only 61 RYP Award forms were submitted by Lodge Secretaries. If you registered for the program and Replaced Yourself but didn’t receive your pin and certificate, ask your Lodge Secretary to submit it. You may still receive it. The program will continue through the coming year. Please continue to promote this worthwhile program. I still believe that it can and will be successful, with your help.
From Grand Lodge Communication in October to mid-July, Linda and I have traveled approximately 48,000 miles. That includes many locations and Lodges throughout Ohio, nine other states, two foreign countries, and a cruise, in which we visited two foreign ports and conferred an Entered Apprentice degree at sea with over 45 Masons in attendance. As far as we can tell, this was a first for the Grand Lodge of Ohio. One of the highlights of the year was traveling to London to take part in the 300-year celebration of the United Grand Lodge of England. It was an experience we will never forget.
The Grand Lodge Officers performed 20 Lodge Reconsecration Ceremonies, three Cornerstone Ceremonies, one Lodge Dedication and one new Lodge Constitution and Consecration during the year. I am thankful for their tireless dedication to our Craft.
I attended many Lodge Award Nights and presented several 50, 60, 65, 70, and 75-year awards. However, the day after being installed as Grand Master (October 22) I had the honor of presenting an 80-year award to Brother Kenneth Smith of Barton Smith Lodge in Toledo. He was a very energetic 101-year-old who amazed us with his story telling and memory. He was still very proud to be a Mason. Another unforgettable experience. Unfortunately, we lost Brother Smith just two months later.
Having the honor of serving as your Grand Master for this year is an experience that is hard to put into words. I have worked hard for this Great Fraternity and assure you that it has been a labor of love with many memories, blessings, and more friendships. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Grand Master! Please continue to
Embrace Our Heritage . . .
Preserve Our Traditions.
Fraternally,
Eric “Rick” Schau
Grand Master
