Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of my family, friends, Brothers, Companions, Sir Knights, Companion Knights, Fellows, Knights Companion, Cousins, Knights, Knight Priests, and Fratres around the world.

A Full Day in the Quarries

Today was one of those rare and memorable days where nearly every hour was spent in the company of Companions and Sir Knights, moving from one appendant body of the York Rite of Freemasonry to another. It was busy, but also deeply fulfilling; a reminder of how rich our Masonic journey becomes when we labor together in unity.

The morning began with Tri-Valley College No. 178 of the York Rite Sovereign College of North America, where we convened to confer the Order of the Knight of York upon two candidates. I had the privilege of portraying King Athelstan and delivering the Rose Lecture (one of my favorite lectures).

In the afternoon, Redemption Tabernacle No. XL of the Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests assembled, and I had the honor of being elected and installed as the Very Eminent Preceptor for the ensuing year. It is always a profound moment to assume new responsibilities in such a venerable and spiritually rich order, and I look forward to serving the Tabernacle.

The day concluded with a meeting of St. Michael Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine, where we welcomed two new Knights Companions into the Conclave. Following the ritual, we held our annual elections (I’m still Recorder) and then shared a wonderful dinner together. Few things match the warmth of good fellowship and good food at the end of a long day of Masonic labor.

Happy Thanksgiving

From the Vault to the Cross

This past week was truly remarkable. I spent several days in Baden-Baden attending the Joint Regional Conference for Council and Commandery. I landed in Frankfurt on Wednesday and, along with several other American Masons, made my way to Baden-Baden by train.

The spa city of Baden-Baden, nestled at the edge of Germany’s Black Forest, played host this year to a remarkable gathering of Cryptic Masons and Knights Templar from across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The multi-day Joint Conference brought together Companions and Sir Knights from a wide range of jurisdictions, united by a shared commitment to strengthening and growing the York Rite of Freemasonry. As the Department Commander for Europe observed, “We are at a turning point in Europe for the York Rite of Freemasonry.” The events of the weekend proved him right.

Opening Sessions and a German First Degree

The Joint Conference opened Thursday morning with warm remarks from the Right Puissant Deputy General Grand Master for Europe and the Right Puissant Deputy General Grand Master. They were followed by the Right Eminent Department Commander for Europe and Africa and the Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master, who conveyed greetings on behalf of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A., and the Most Eminent Grand Master.

The Right Puissant Deputy General Grand Master for Europe then led an open forum that quickly became one of the most energizing portions of the day. Companions and Sir Knights expressed an enthusiastic desire to expand both the Cryptic Rite and Templary throughout Germany and the wider European jurisdictions. The questions reflected a spirit of optimism and hope for real, sustainable growth.

On Thursday afternoon, attendees visited Lodge Badenia for Progress (Freimaurerloge Badenia zum Fortschritt), working under the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Germany within the United Grand Lodges of Germany. The Lodge conferred the Entered Apprentice degree, providing American visitors with an opportunity to witness firsthand the nuanced differences of German Craft Masonry. I found it particularly interesting how the Wardens and Master take a notably active role in the floor work, especially during the opening and the conferral itself. Many aspects of the ritual bore a striking resemblance to Craft degrees found in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Strict Observance Masonry, Martinism, and Rosicrucianism. The experience proved both educational and deeply fraternal.

The evening concluded with hearty fellowship over dinner at the historic Löwenbräu restaurant, a traditional Bavarian-style establishment located in the heart of the city.

A Day for the Cryptic Rite

Friday was devoted to the Cryptic Masons. The Lady of the Council Award was presented to the wife of a Past Grand Master (Cryptic Masons) from Brazil. Delegates also received information about the upcoming 2026 Triennial in Washington, D.C., followed by an open session for questions and concerns. These ranged across several practical issues unique to non-U.S. jurisdictions.

That afternoon, Northern Lights (Nordlicht) Council conferred the  Cryptic degrees (Royal Master and Select Master) in German upon several worthy candidates. The Council’s new officers were then installed, and the General Grand Council formally instituted Harmony Council U.D. of Slovenia. The day concluded with dinner at the elegant Casino Baden-Baden.

The Department Conference

Saturday marked the Templar portion of the weekend. The Right Eminent Department Commander presided over the Department Conference for Europe and Africa. The Deputy Grand Master offered an opening prayer, roll call was taken, and, remarkably, every Grand Commander within the Department was present.

The central theme of the session was educational: providing European leaders with a clearer understanding of the structure and operations of the Grand Encampment. The Conference culminated in two important milestones: the presentation of a charter to the newly formed Grand Commandery of Serbia, and the granting of a dispensation to form a new Commandery in Germany, to be known as Nordstern (North Star).

While Grand Encampment officers delivered their presentations, the Orders of the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta were conferred upon fifteen candidates. Before lunch, the Chamber of Reflection was conducted, after which the candidates reassembled. One candidate, soon to be a Sir Knight, was presented with the Companion of the Temple (COT) in recognition of his outstanding service at the Conference and to Masonry at large.

After lunch, the Order of the Temple was conferred with a full cast. The Right Eminent Deputy Grand Master served as Eminent Commander; the Right Eminent Grand Captain General as Generalissimo; the Right Eminent Grand Recorder as Captain General; and a Most Eminent Past Grand Master as Prelate. The remaining offices were filled by Department Commanders and Past Grand Commanders. The ritual was executed beautifully and stood out as one of the highlights of the entire Conference for me.

Fellowship on the Mountain

On Sunday morning, several attendees enjoyed a hike up Mount Merkur, where we shared a well-earned meal accompanied by panoramic views of the Black Forest and the Rhine Valley. The mountain takes its name from the Roman god Mercury and reflects the region’s ancient heritage, as Roman settlers once used the area for its healing springs.

The summit and restaurant were accessible via the Merkur Funicular Railway, a 1,200-meter-long railway that climbs gradients of up to 54%.

International Representation

The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International and the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, U.S.A., were represented by officers and members from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Idaho, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Alabama, Montana, Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Georgia, and Hawaii. International attendees included Companions and Sir Knights from Germany, Portugal, Romania, Togo, Gabon, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Cyprus, Brazil, Austria, France, and Serbia.

A Turning Point

The Baden-Baden Joint Conference demonstrated a clear truth: York Rite Freemasonry in Europe is entering a new era. With renewed enthusiasm, emerging leadership, and expanding jurisdictions, the foundations are being laid for sustained and meaningful growth of the Order. The conversations, ritual exemplifications, and international cooperation of the weekend will undoubtedly influence the future of the Cryptic Rite and Templary across Europe and beyond. Baden-Baden may well be remembered as the place where this new chapter began.

Colonels & Councils

Another weekend immersed in Rosicrucianism and chivalry has come to a close, and once again, I find myself grateful for the fraternal bonds, the shared wisdom, and the unforgettable experiences that these gatherings always bring.

On Wednesday, several of us from Idaho converged on Louisville, KY, joining Fratres from across the world for the annual convocation of the High Council of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis. That evening set the tone for the days ahead: a night of warm reunions, long conversations, and reconnecting with friends and Fratres I rarely get to see in person. In many ways, these informal moments are the true heart of our gatherings.

Thursday began with an unexpected and humbling moment. Before heading to the distillery, our group stopped by the headquarters of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. Two of my friends had suggested we visit, and since they had done the same the year prior, I thought little of it. To my complete surprise, the Executive Director announced my name and commissioned me as a Kentucky Colonel. It was an honor I did not see coming, and one that left me both grateful and deeply touched.

From there, 10 of us from Idaho, Washington, Colorado, and Texas out into the Kentucky countryside to tour the Woodford Distillery in Versailles, KY. Walking among the rickhouses, learning about the craft, and enjoying the company of Fratres made for a perfect day. That evening, we returned to Louisville and dined together at the Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, a meal as rich and satisfying as the fellowship surrounding the table.

Late Friday morning brought the Opening Procession of the High Council, always an inspiring and dignified moment. I spent the afternoon preparing for the VIII°, which I presided over that evening for an impressive class of 64 candidates. Once the VIII° concluded, we conferred the IX° upon several worthy Fratres before turning to the business of elections.

This year was particularly unusual. A contested election, stirred up by a Frater intent on creating division, cast a shadow over the proceedings. Yet, in the end, the Fratres stood firm. They voted with their conscience, not with fear, demonstrating the strength and integrity of our Society. Elections carried on well past midnight, and by the time we finally concluded, I was more than ready to find my bed.

Saturday offered a full schedule of excellent presentations, each adding new layers of insight to our Rosicrucian studies and fraternal work. We were honored to hear remarks from the visiting Supreme Magi of Lusitania (Portugal), Scotia (Scotland), and Anglia (England). Their presence and their words reinforced the international brotherhood that binds us together across oceans and borders.

After concluding a small slate of business, we adjourned to the hospitality suites and then tot the dining hall for our annual banquet. During the festivities, three Fratres were elevated to the rank and distinction of Knight Grand Cross. I spent the remainder of the night enjoying the company of the Fratres in the hospitality suites, savoring these last hours of fellowship.

Sunday morning brought one final engagement before departure. The Grand Master’s Council of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon convened to establish the new Great Lakes Province, install its officers, and hold a Festive Board. It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend dedicated to tradition, service, and the bonds of chivalry.

Now, midway through my flights home, I find myself energized by the Society and eager to prepare for my next adventure.

Veterans Day

Today, we pause to honor all who have worn the uniform of our nation: those who stood watch, bore the weight of responsibility, and committed themselves to something greater than themself. Veterans Day is always a moment for reflection, but this year carries a unique meaning for me personally. This is the last Veterans Day in which I have been out of the military for less time than I served. Crossing that threshold is a surreal experience. It reminds me how deeply those years shaped my life. 

As I look back on my own service, I am reminded that every Veteran carries a story of discipline learned, sacrifices made, friendships forged, trials overcome, and honor earned. Whether we served for a few years or an entire career, whether we deployed or supported from home, each of us contributed to the long chain of commitment that protects our nation. 

To all my fellow Veterans: thank you. Your service matters.

Passing of Bill Miller

I found out today that William R. Miller, a good Mason, passed away. I met Bill when I joined Knight Masons and St. Thomas of Acon in March 2013. Along with Joe and Louis, it was through Bill's generosity that I was able to attend Masonic Week, starting in 2014. I would sleep on the hide-a-bed in the hospitality room that they hosted. Over the next few years, I got to know Bill very well. In 2015, he appointed me as a member of his Hospitality Committee when he presided over the Red Cross of Constantine.

Bill was born on November 2, 1935, in Seattle, WA, but he received his public education in Washington, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa. He received a B.S. in Industrial Administration from Iowa State University, where he joined the Delta Epsilon fraternity. After nearly 38 years, he retired in July 1994 as a Facilities Resource Manager with Boeing. Bill and his high school sweetheart, the late Maralyn Edwards, a Rainbow girl, were married on October 12, 1957, in Knoxville, TN. 

Bill was a member of the Morningside Chapter of DeMolay, where he was a Representative DeMolay and received the Zerubbabel Key. He was Dean of Tacoma Legion of Honor Preceptory (1983). As an adult, he served on the Advisory Boards of the local DeMolay Chapter and Rainbow Assembly, serving as Dad Advisor and Rainbow Dad, respectively, receiving the DeMolay Guild of the Leather Apron and Grand Cross of Color. He was elected a member of the DeMolay Supreme Council in 1994 and was Grand Orator (2008). He was a Past Patron of Pyramid Chapter No. 257, Order of the Eastern Star. 

Bill was made a Mason in Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 in Seattle on March 12, 1959, later demitted to Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 in Federal Way, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1966 and again in 2016. He served as the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Washington (1989-90). He served the Conference of Grand Masters of North America on its Fraternal Relations Committee (1989-93). He was a member of the Board of Directors of the National Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Children (1988-1994) and its President (1992-94). 

In the Scottish Rite, he served as Venerable Master of Tacoma Scottish Rite 1984, was made a Knight Commander Court of Honor in 1973, coroneted an Inspector General Honorary in 1985, was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Washington in October 1993 (serving for 20 years) and served as Grand Minister of State of the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A. 

He was a member and past presiding officer of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Council of Cryptic Masons, Commandery of Knights Templar (recipient of the Illustrious Knights of the Triangle from the Grand Commandery of Washington and the Knight Commander of the Temple from the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar), York Rite College (recipient of the Order of the Purple Cross and Past Deputy Grand Governor of Washington) and SRICF College (IX° - Magus). He was also a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, KYCH, the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, and the Afifi Shriners. Bill was Sovereign Master of Pacific Council No. 30 and Most Venerable Sovereign Grand Master of the Grand Council (AMD) in 2006. He was the Excellent Chief of Clontarf Council and served as the Most Excellent Great Chief of the Grand Council of Knight Masons, USA in 2018. Bill was Worthy Master of Tahoma Chapel No. 30, St. Thomas of Acon, and served as Most Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Masters Council, USA in 2017. He joined the Holy Order of Knights Beneficient of the Holy City, Great Priory of America (CBCS) in 2000 and served as the Most Reverend Great Prior. He joined St. Alban Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1983, served as Puissant Sovereign in 1991, and Most Illustrious Grand Sovereign in 2014-2015. 

Bill was a member of Marine View Presbyterian Church and the Federal Way School Board (1975-1986) (three terms as president) (Washington State School Board of the Year 1980).

Bill was survived by son Brian, daughter Kathleen Ancel, and grandchildren Jeremy, Kyle, Colin, and Brandon.

Happy Halloween

Athelstan

Once again, I’ve returned home after another journey across the world. This weekend marked the annual meeting of the Grand Court of the Masonic Order of Athelstan for England, Wales, and its Provinces Overseas, a historic occasion as the Most Worshipful Grand Master, Paul Johnston, retired after nearly 12.5 years of service, passing the mantle to his Deputy Grand Master.

Ratae Corieltauvorum

Last Thursday, I landed in London and made my way up to the Midlands to the city of Leicester. I was part of a larger contingent of American Masons who came to show support to Paul and to the Grand Court of England.

Friday, I walked around the city center and checked out the Jewry Walls. Leicester began as Ratae Corieltauvorum, a Roman town on the River Soar, laid out along the Fosse Way, a major Roman road in Britain that connected the southwest to the northeast, linking Exeter (Isca Dumnoniorum) and Lincoln (Lindum Colonia). Its most spectacular surviving feature is the Jewry Wall (a massive 2nd-century masonry wall that formed part of the public bath complex), which was originally thought to be a forum when first discovered. Excavations by Dame Kathleen Kenyon in the 1930s confirmed the wall’s relationship to the adjacent Roman baths, whose foundations are still visible beside the wall and interpreted by the adjacent museum. The structure (c. AD 160) is one of the largest pieces of standing Roman masonry in Britain. 

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, an Anglo-Saxon town grew among the ruins. The oldest standing church is St Nicholas, incorporating Roman brick and stone; it is among Leicester’s five surviving medieval churches and has pre-Conquest origins (in use since at least the 9th century). It stands immediately beside the Jewry Wall, a vivid reminder of the city’s continuity from Rome through Saxon and Norman times.

Within the castle’s bailey rose St Mary de Castro (which I visited last year), founded as a collegiate chapel in 1107 by Robert de Beaumont, Earl of Leicester. Its long history ties Leicester to national figures: local tradition connects it to early royal ceremonies (including the child-knighting of Henry VI) and even to Geoffrey Chaucer’s life. Architecturally speaking, it retains Norman fabric with later Gothic additions. 

The timber-framed Guildhall (c. 1390) began as a meeting place for the Guild of Corpus Christi and later served as the town hall. Over the centuries, it hosted council meetings, courts, feasts, theatrical performances, and even debates during the Civil War, which makes it the best-preserved window into municipal life before modernity. 

Leicester’s religious landscape was transformed by the Dissolution of Henry VIII. Leicester Abbey, a wealthy Augustinian house, was suppressed in 1538; just years earlier, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Henry VIII’s fallen minister, died there in 1530 en route to face treason charges. His burial at the abbey and the subsequent loss of his tomb became one of Tudor England’s lingering mysteries; despite modern excavations, his remains have never been found. The abbey ruins now lie within Abbey Park. 

Another focal point was the Greyfriars (Franciscan) friary. After Bosworth (1485), King Richard III was buried here. The friary was later dissolved, the site built over, and the king’s grave vanished from memory until the 21st century; now it's a museum dedicated to Richard III.

Through the 18th century, Leicester expanded as a regional market town. Framework-knitting and hosiery trades thrived, and civic governance continued in and around the old Guildhall, while parishes maintained medieval churches like St Nicholas, St Mary de Castro, and the future cathedral. Though less architecturally showy than the Victorian age to come, this period laid the economic groundwork for industrial growth and urban improvement. Industry, railways, and municipal pride spurred new buildings in the 19th century, while older landmarks like the Guildhall survived as cherished symbols of civic heritage. 

Leicester’s most famous modern chapter is the rediscovery and reburial of King Richard III. In 2012, archaeologists located his grave beneath a city-center car park on the site of the lost Greyfriars church; DNA and osteological analysis confirmed the identity. The city created the King Richard III Visitor Center opposite the cathedral, and in March 2015, the last Plantagenet king was reinterred with honor in Leicester Cathedral beneath a Swaledale fossil-stone tomb. The find sparked national debate (including legal challenges over the reburial site) and placed Leicester at the center of global heritage headlines. 

Retirement of Paul

While the stones of Leicester speak of millennia of history, this weekend’s events marked the beginning of a new chapter in the living history of our Order. This past summer, Bro. Paul Johnston, Most Worshipful Grand Master, announced his intention to retire.

I first met Paul more than a decade ago during Masonic Week, and I found him to be both a warm friend and an exceptional leader - a man deeply devoted to the Craft. Over the course of his 12.5 years as Grand Master, he guided the Masonic Order of Athelstan from its infancy into its formative years. Under his steady hand, the Order expanded to the far corners of the globe, establishing Grand Courts in nations that had grown strong enough to govern themselves, including the United States.

Paul had joined the Order shortly after its founding and went on to serve as Grand Secretary before assuming the mantle of leadership following the untimely passing of his predecessor. One of his personal goals, he said, was to install his own successor. Yesterday, he fulfilled that wish by installing the Fourth Grand Master of the Order and concluded his tenure with grace and humility, a fitting close to a remarkable chapter in the Order’s history.

The First King of England

King Athelstan (c. 894 - 939 AD), grandson of Alfred the Great and son of King Edward the Elder, stands as one of the most significant yet often underappreciated monarchs in English history. Known variously as Athelstane, Athelstone, Athelston, Aldiston, Adelstan, Adelston, and Ethelstan, he is celebrated as the first true King of all England, as he was the ruler who transformed a patchwork of Anglo-Saxon and Viking kingdoms into a unified realm.

Athelstan was raised partly in Mercia under the care of his aunt, Æthelflæd, the “Lady of the Mercians,” where he absorbed both Mercian and West Saxon traditions of governance and warfare. Upon the death of his father in 924, a brief succession dispute arose between Athelstan and his half-brother Ælfweard, but the latter’s sudden death soon after cleared the way for Athelstan’s accession. He was crowned in 925 AD at Kingston-upon-Thames, a symbolic site straddling the ancient borders of Wessex and Mercia, embodying the unity he would soon achieve across England.

From the outset, Athelstan proved to be an exceptional military leader and statesman. In 927, he captured York from the Danes and compelled the submission of Constantine II of Scotland and other northern rulers at the Treaty of Eamont Bridge. By doing so, he brought Northumbria firmly under English control and became the first monarch to rule over all of England. 

His greatest test came a decade later at the legendary Battle of Brunanburh in 937 AD. Facing a formidable alliance of Scots, Strathclyde Britons, and Dublin Norse under Constantine II, Owain of Strathclyde, and Olaf Guthfrithson, Athelstan’s forces won a decisive but bloody victory. Chroniclers hailed the battle as a defining moment in forging the English nation, preserving its unity and independence for generations to come.

Athelstan’s reign was not defined by warfare alone. His government introduced innovative reforms that strengthened royal authority and improved national cohesion. He issued extensive law codes to ensure justice and order, regulated coinage to prevent fraud, and centralized trade within burghs to encourage urban development. He reorganized the Midlands and former Danelaw into shires, consolidating administration across England. Abroad, he forged alliances through the marriages of his half-sisters to European princes and cultivated cultural and ecclesiastical ties with the Continent.

A patron of learning and the Church, Athelstan gathered relics and illuminated manuscripts, many of which he gifted to monasteries and churches. His generosity toward the clergy ensured their support, while his endowments enriched England’s spiritual life. Upon his death in 939 at Gloucester, Athelstan was buried in Malmesbury Abbey, a monastery he had long favored and supported. Though his tomb now lies empty, his legacy as England’s first unified monarch endures.

Commemorating 1100 Years of Legacy

In Masonic tradition, King Athelstan occupies a place of profound honor. According to early manuscripts, including the Halliwell (Regius) Poem, the Cooke Manuscript, the Landsdowne Manuscript, and the lesser-known Roberts Manuscript, a great assembly of stonemasons was convened at York in 926 AD by Athelstan’s half-brother, Prince Edwin, at the king’s command. There, the traditions of symbolic and operative Masonry were codified and the Craft’s ancient charges were reaffirmed.

The Masonic Order of Athelstan was founded to honor this spirit of enlightenment and fraternity embodied by the king. It seeks to celebrate his unifying vision, his devotion to law and learning, and his legendary association with the early organization of masonry in England.

As the world marks the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan’s coronation in 2025, the Order and its charitable arm (the King Athelstan Memorial Foundation) have undertaken a series of meaningful projects to preserve and promote his memory. Established in 2020, the Foundation has already realized numerous initiatives:

• In 2021, it presented a magnificent King Athelstan tapestry to All Saints Church in Kingston-upon-Thames, the site of his coronation.
• In 2022, it donated a replica Saxon sword crafted by renowned smiths Hector Cole, M.B.E., and Tim Blades, along with an audio-visual system and documentary for the Athelstan Museum in Malmesbury.
• In 2024, the Foundation contributed money to support the exhibition of ancient Saxon papers on loan from Cambridge University and funded educational installations and the Guide to Athelstan & Malmesbury Trail for the town’s upcoming 1100 celebrations.
• The same year saw the launch of the ambitious “York 1100 Project,” which raised £100,000 to sponsor a stonemason’s accommodation unit at York Minster and commission a carved grotesque of King Athelstan to adorn the cathedral’s South Quire.

By June 2025, the project reached fruition: the Most Worshipful Grand Master and a distinguished delegation presented both the accommodation unit and the completed grotesque to York Minster, honoring Athelstan’s enduring legacy as patron and protector of the Craft.

Further commemorations followed on September 4, 2025, when All Saints Church in Kingston-upon-Thames unveiled all seven embroidered tapestries from their Seven Saxon Kings Project. Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, additional projects are planned to continue celebrating the life and legacy of this remarkable monarch.

Through these works, the Masonic Order of Athelstan and its Foundation have ensured that the spirit of England’s first king, and the legendary assembly of York in 926 AD, remains alive in both history and fraternity, a thousand years on.

Masons Becoming Knights

Today was a full and rewarding day of Templary. Sir Knights from across Idaho, along with several Grand Commandery Officers, came together to confer the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, and the Order of the Temple on several candidates. I was privileged to serve as High Priest for the Red Cross, Prior for Malta, and Eminent Commander for the Order of the Temple. Among the candidates was the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Idaho, who also happens to be a Past Master of my Lodge. It was a long day, but one filled with fellowship and purpose.