69th General Assembly

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of traveling to Des Moines, Iowa, for the 69th General Assembly of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. As with so many gatherings in Masonry, the weekend was about much more than meetings and honors. It was an opportunity to see old friends, make new ones, and enjoy the fellowship that binds our fraternity together.

Des Moines is certainly not unfamiliar territory for me. I have visited the city a number of times over the years for work, so after arriving, I had the opportunity to take some friends out to the Iowa Taproom (if you like beer, I highly recommend it). Good food, good beer, and, most importantly, good company made for an excellent beginning to the weekend. Some of the best moments at any Masonic gathering happen away from the formal meetings, when Brothers and Companions have the opportunity to sit together, share stories, laugh, and enjoy each other’s company.

The following day was largely spent roaming around the hotel as Companion Knights arrived and registered for the General Assembly. It gave me plenty of opportunities to stop, talk, shake hands, and catch up with friends. That evening, a few of us ventured out again, this time to a local martini bar and restaurant, where the fellowship continued over dinner and drinks.

Saturday brought the more formal events of the General Assembly. I had the particular pleasure of attending the outgoing meeting of Most Preeminently Distinguished Brother Bryce Hildreth. I have known Bryce for 13 years, which made being present for the conclusion of his term especially meaningful. One of the privileges of remaining active in Masonry over many years is watching friends and Brothers progress through leadership, serve the Craft and its various bodies, and eventually complete important chapters in their own Masonic journeys.

I also had the opportunity to witness a new class receive the Order of the Purple Cross and become Associate Regents. The Purple Cross is among the highest honors conferred by the York Rite Sovereign College, recognizing distinguished service to York Rite Masonry. Watching another class receive that distinction was an impressive reminder of the dedication that so many Companion Knights have given to the fraternity.

The weekend also marked the beginning of a new chapter for another friend, Stan Brown, as I had the pleasure of watching him be installed as Governor General of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America. Seeing a friend assume such an important responsibility is always a special occasion.

The General Assembly also brought an unexpected personal honor. I was installed as a Grand Herald of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, an office I will have the privilege of holding for the next two years. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Sovereign College and look forward to doing my part during the coming biennium.

I even had an opportunity for another reunion over the weekend. I briefly spoke with the Grand Master of Masons in Iowa, with whom I traveled to Israel in 2022. It had been some time since we had seen one another, and although our conversation was brief, it was good to reconnect and remember another journey shared through the bonds of the fraternity.

250th Fourth of July (2026)

Two hundred and fifty years ago, 56 courageous men affixed their names to the Declaration of Independence and pledged to one another "their Lives, their Fortunes and their sacred Honor." With that act, they announced to the world that liberty was not a privilege bestowed by kings, but a right endowed by God and safeguarded by the courage of free men.

As we commemorate America's Semiquincentennial, we rightly remember the soldiers who endured Valley Forge, the statesmen who crafted our Republic, and the citizens whose sacrifices secured the blessings of liberty for future generations. We should also remember the profound influence Freemasonry had upon the character of many of those who guided our nation through its birth.

The principles taught within the Lodge prepared many of its members for the extraordinary task of building a constitutional republic.

Many of the leading figures of the Revolution were Freemasons, including George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Marquis de Lafayette. These men shared an appreciation for the moral instruction, brotherhood, and commitment to honorable conduct fostered within the Craft.

Perhaps no Mason better exemplified these virtues than George Washington. Throughout the Revolutionary War, Washington repeatedly demonstrated restraint, humility, and unwavering devotion to constitutional government. When victory had been secured, he voluntarily surrendered his military commission rather than seize power for himself; an act virtually unprecedented in history. In doing so, he proved that true greatness lies not in ruling others, but in faithful service to principle and country.

For those of us who wear the Templar Cross, Washington's example resonates deeply. The Masonic Orders of Knighthood teach that our obligations extend beyond ceremony. They call us to defend truth, practice charity, protect the innocent, and live lives worthy of the Christian profession we publicly affirm. While our modern Templar Orders were centralized after the founding of the Republic, they preserve timeless virtues that animated many of America's earliest patriots.

The Declaration of Independence reminds us that rights originate not from governments, but from the Creator. The Constitution demonstrates that liberty survives only when restrained by law, virtue, and an informed citizenry. Freemasonry reinforces these same truths by reminding each Mason that before he can improve society, he must first improve himself. Strong communities are built by upright men, and upright men are formed through moral discipline, personal integrity, and unwavering faith.

As Sir Knights, we inherit a rich legacy of Christian chivalry. The medieval knight pledged himself to defend the faith and protect those entrusted to his care. Today, our battlefield is different, but our duty remains. We defend truth against falsehood, civility against discord, faith against indifference, and liberty against apathy. We do so not with sword or shield, but through our example, our service, and our steadfast commitment to God and country.

The 250th anniversary of the United States is therefore more than a historical milestone. It is an opportunity for reflection. We should ask ourselves whether we are preserving the constitutional freedoms entrusted to us, strengthening our communities through virtuous leadership, and leaving future generations a nation worthy of the sacrifices made by those who came before us.

May this anniversary inspire every Mason, every Sir Knight, to renew his dedication to the timeless principles of faith, honor, liberty, and service. If we remain faithful to those ideals, we will continue to prove that the true strength of America has never rested merely in its wealth or power, but in the character of its people.

May God continue to bless the United States of America, and may He strengthen us to be faithful stewards of the precious inheritance entrusted to our care.