Master’s Masonic Message (November)
FELLOWSHIP-(noun) a group of people who share common interests, goals, experiences,
or views/Companionship or Friendly association. My brothers, I have learned tremendously
about this word for the month. I guess this word and my experiences with it began here recently
when I flew to Tucson, Arizona for a wedding of a friend and fellow police officer. My day
began early with a drive to the airport in Louisville, flying to Charlotte, North Carolina and then
on to Phoenix, Arizona. The first flight was scary but the next was calming when I found that I
was sitting beside a man from Cincinnati, Ohio. This man was a broker in an Insurance Firm
that I noticed was reading up about becoming a Cub Scout Leader for his twin sons. Being a
former Cub Scout myself, I was able to answer some of the questions he had but really liked
the conversation when he said that he looked forward to instilling great characteristics in his
sons such as HONESTY, INTEGRITY, TRUTH, and other MORALS. I asked this man further if
he was a MASON, in which he responded NO, but he got educated very quickly when he
decided just what it meant to be a FREEMASON. By the time I was finished talking to him
about our Great Fraternity, the Builders and Rainbow girls for the Children and the Order of the
Eastern Star and the White Shrine for our ladies, this gentleman had written down a "to do" list
for when he got back to Ohio. His list included to find a Masonic Lodge in my area and petition,
and also included was to find information about the Demolay and OES. Once in Phoenix, I
furthered my fellowship with my best friend and brother in arms Trooper Joel Abner, his bride to
be and her family. The next day I was able to rent a Harley-Davidson and begin my ride to the
Grand Canyon. My friends I will tell you this trip was truly one that I will never forget. Although I
was by myself, I could tell that I was not alone. Memories of my nephew, Charlie Fields and
Logan Clemons kept flooding into my thoughts. Every time I thought about turning around and
heading back, I told myself to keep riding, that LIFE WAS TOO SHORT AND TO LIVE OUT
THIS EXPERIENCE LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW.
I called my dad once I got outside of Phoenix when I stopped to eat and fill up with gas
and he asked where are you at. My response to him was, "You know where I am dad, I'm in
Arizona." He then told me, "Yeah I know, But I've got my Atlas out where are you at and what is
your route?" This floored me. Thousands of miles away and three hours ahead of me on my
time span was my father looking where his son was in the world. It also showed me that
indeed, I was not alone on my adventure. I mentioned to him that I was going to Flagstaff and
was probably going to turn around and head back, but he reminded me. You set out there to do
something, and then I knew that I was going all the way to the Grand Canyon. I told dad that I
would call him back when I got to Flagstaff and let him know my plans from there. I made it to
Flagstaff and was able to ride on Historical Route 66. I then spent the night there and when I
got up the next day I continued my venture the other 78 miles to the Grand Canyon. For those
that have seen it, you will know what I'm talking about when I saw it will truly take your breath
away. For as far as your eyes will see is the open sky and three different mountain ranges that
make up this GAP in the EARTH. TRULY one of our Grand Geometricians gift from above. I
called my mom, my brother and my dad. I took few pictures because I found that it was so big
no matter where I stood I was getting the same landscapes in the photos. From Tucson to the
Grand Canyon was 354.5 miles, now started the ride back, and again my dad with his map
asked what route are you taking. I called him back from Flagstaff and then again outside of
Phoenix, and finally made it back to my destination at 8pm on Thursday. I learned a lot about
this trip. That no matter how FAR you are away from people, with ONE phone call, it can be
like they are right there with you. It also showed me that if you put your mind to something you
can ACCOMPLISH anything you set out to do.
The next day began with a luncheon between the families of the bride and groom and my
fellowship with all of them continued. And several times the term, "True Friend", was used in
reference to me. I found this to be comforting because all I was doing was being myself, a man
and a MASON. SHINING MY LIGHT to everybody that was around. The next day was the
wedding and I figured that I would be left out, being that I was neither immediate family to the
groom or the bride, and that was going to be a DIVERSITY of people there from Arizona and
Mexico. But, through my teachings, and those great VALUES that had been instilled I was
welcomed with open arms and through all of this can say that the fellowship that I had was one
of a kind. I had a conversation with a man at the wedding in whom had been a transfer student
from Germany and now lives in California. I told him my plans of returning to Kentucky included
attending the Freemasons Grand Conclave he too, asked me what a MASON was. After I told
him he then asked the question. So now, lets just say that I have to email the Grand Lodge of
California and relay his information to them so that this man can receive a petition into our
great and HONORABLE fraternity.
But my friends, my FELLOWSHIP did not end here in Arizona. The very next day I got on
another airplane and flew from Tucson to Denver, Colorado. Then from Denver to Chicago,
Illinois, where on this trip I had a conversation with a lady that was involved with an outdoor
school for people who's goal are to INSTILL MORALS, VALUES, and TEACH LEADERSHIP to
those who had been less fortunate. And, me being me I had to tell her about my fraternity and
how the same qualities are taught through its teachings. She gave me a booklet and I told her
that I would help her if I could being that they are funded through charity from donations. I then
boarded another airplane from Chicago and finally landed in Louisville, KY. Thirteen hours
after boarding my first flight my last I was finally back in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and on
to the Galt House to begin the Grand Lodge Function. This Fellowship continued when my
dad, Paul Fields, Doug "JULIO" Holbrook, and Eddie Bentley arrived shortly after where we
met up with George Birman and Silas Whitehead from FIELDS LODGE. If there ever was a
bond between the listed men before, I can tell you that it means more now than it ever did. Our
fellowship, our talks, our educations shed MORE LIGHT on our Fraternity, and continued
throughout the Conclave. My highpoints of the conclave would be TWO that I WILL NEVER
FORGET, a great highpoint was when I was able to get a picture taken of Grandmaster 2008
F. Keith Drier, my dad, and myself. Another great and meaningful picture which I will treasure
for a lifetime is that of myself, my dad and Past Grandmaster of 1990 Floyd Booth. This man
was the Grandmaster when my dad was Master of our LODGE. That was the first highlight,
now with the second highlight, and second word for the month of November.
DEFEAT-(noun) the fact or instance of losing in a competition, FAILURE to WIN and
REACH A GOAL. Oh DEFEAT, that bittersweet taste. I guess I have to back up and eat my
words of the September newsletter when I proclaimed VICTORY and that we had achieved this
EXCELLENCY AWARD. But honestly let me relay to you the reasons for this defeat, and why I
listed it as a HIGHPOINT. Our first night in Louisville I asked our secretary if we were for sure
bringing this award back home with us to Whitesburg. He in turn asked me if I had filled out the
paperwork and sent it in and the question was returned to him from me. After Investigating this
at 10:30pm, we were informed that we never sent anything in, but if we could get the
information together and in the Grandmasters hands the first thing in the morning that he would
"CONSIDER" giving us this Excellency Award. Let me remind you that the deadline for
applications with the proper copies of the minutes of the meetings was in September.
IMMEDIATELY I ran and forced Brother Silas Whitehead from his laptop computer saying, "My
need right now is greater than yours." and our Secretary Eddie Bentley fired his laptop and we
began our mission to find all the documents that we needed to attain this award. The first hour
ensued as I was able to find through the newsletters and the minutes of the lodge that we had
attained the first two requirements to the award. The next hour led us to find that we had met
other goals.
It was this our FINEST HOUR that we all pulled together as MEN and as MASONS. WE
were all recalling dates and times and members and places and who was in attendance and
what work was conferred, and I even called Brother Tom Adams who helped tremendously on
this our attack at the award. Brother's I can tell you that WE DID IN FACT complete 10 of the
16 requirements, that WE DID IN FACT RAISE THAT BAR OF FREEMASONRY which
Grandmaster Drier wanted. But also, we FAILED to receive this award due to not meeting one
requirement date. Once I saw that we missed this date, a feeling overwhelmed me. This feeling
was one of sickness, distraught, nausea, all combined as if I were being kicked in the stomach
over and over and over again. I wondered how I could have missed this for EIGHT months I
had overlooked this date. I kept thinking back to all the SACRIFICES that I had made this year,
not spending all my time with my son, my family and my friends, changing schedules at work
just to ensure that WE would be bringing this FIFTH EXCELLENCY AWARD back home to our
lodge. I thought of all the months I spent at a hospital with my son, praying to GOD that he
would be alright and at the same time writing notes on how to reach this achievement. I
remembered to all the times when I felt rushed to be somewhere just to say I was there only to
reach this ONE GOAL. Then all at once in this one instance EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE
DEDICATED AND WORKED SO HARD FOR, was GONE.
I immediately told Eddie to shut everything down, that we were done and that I needed to
thank Brothers Bobby Danner and Henry Spencer for talking to the Grandmaster, and that I
needed to thank the Grandmaster for even giving us the chance to get everything together just
for his CONSIDERATION. I do know in fact that some Masonic Lodges will fudge on their
records when it comes to this one award, but I WILL NOT bring myself or our lodge to that
level. I also looked around our room to see everybody who was helping give that," sigh", not of
relief but accepting that this goal was out of reach and although a valiant effort was given,
DEFEAT WAS IMMENINT. As I laid down thoughts of this failure kept running through my
mind, and just what words to say to the Grandmaster. Drifting off to sleep for two hours, I arose
and began my journey with Eddie to see the Grandmaster and thank him for the opportunity,
but that I was forced to, "Fold my hand." Eddie and myself found the lodge hall and then found
the Grandmaster, who was onstage preparing to begin his final duty as Grandmaster. As I
approached the stage he asked, "Do you have anything for me to look at?". Brother's it was
with a very solemn voice, and fighting with a lump in my throat I answered, "No sir, I do not. I
have come to fold my hand." I explained to the Grandmaster of the events that led up to that
certain place where we then stood. From thinking that we had achieved this award, to the
uneasiness of having it ripped away from our grip. I thanked the Grandmaster for his
consideration, turned and exited the stage with Eddie.
Brothers, again I say that I know that some lodges will fudge on their reports, but to ME
and for this LODGE, I believe that HONESTY, TRUTH AND INTEGRITY are our basic
fundamentals and even though I had failed, not WE, that I had honestly learned from this
mistake. Now, before anybody begins pointing fingers and placing blame I invite you to come
and talk to me. There were TOO MANY TIMES when WE were ONE MEMBER SHORT, OR
ONE OFFICER SHORT. And I will not allow ANYONE to cast the blame on another member,
officer or the Grandmaster. If one must place blame to satisfy one's self, again I invite you to
cast your blame on the person that WEARS THE HAT! Brother's I have learned and gained a
tremendous amount of knowledge on this failure and that is why I list it as my second
HIGHPOINT from the Conclave. With this defeat I now can say that I've fought the good fight
only to lose the battle, not the war. I can say that I have truly grown as a person and that I have
learned more about MASONRY through this defeat that any award could have brought.
Brother's I am proud of what we accomplished this year, award or no award we "Raised the Bar
of Freemasonry," and we JUMPED OVER IT!
In closing my Brother's we must remain TRUE to OURSELVES and to OUR LODGE. WE
must SHINE that LIGHT OF FREEMASONRY no matter what time of day it is, or whether you
are attending lodge or at the shopping center. Brother's I invite to attend two functions for this
month of November. The first will be on NOVEMBER 8TH. Our lodge will be conferring the
MASTER MASONS degree on two brothers, and I would like you to know that Brother
Fellowcrafts Johnathon Joseph , and Trey Narramore are requesting that they get their
MONEY'S WORTH. I can assure them that they will. We will eat at 6pm and the lodge will be
called to labor at 7pm. Also my Brothers and friends, please make plans to attend our FAMILY
NIGHT on NOVEMBER 21st at the MOUNTAIN SHRINE CLUB located behind the lodge and
the VFW. Dinner will be served at 7pm and it will be having a DJ, so bring your dancing shoes.
I would like for everybody to please come to this dinner and more especially invite and bring
our widows to this event. My brothers I leave you with this, although I call it a failure and a
defeat, is it really. If one can learn from it and grow, has one really failed? You tell me. The next
newsletter you receive will be my last, and in it will be my report on the HISTORICAL
MEETING that we had at the Battle of Little Leatherwood. Reach for that Brother when he is
down, remember our widows, and continue to SHINE that LIGHT. "FROM THE CRAFT I
CAME, AND TO THE CRAFT I WILL RETURN."