From the East:
My Brothers,
Summer and the hot weather is definitely upon us. As we have just celebrated Independence Day and the 235 birthday of our nation. It gives us pause to reflect on the many masonic influences on the creation of our nation. Although, not all historians agree with myself and others the influence that the fraternity of Freemasonry has had on the creation of our great nation and its ideals are unmistakable. Just the two ideals of all men are created equal and freedom of religion are undeniably masonic in nature and are some of the basic building blocks of our beloved fraternity and the nation as a whole. It becomes even more apparent when taken in the context of the time period of when the Declaration of Independence was signed and when the constitution itself was framed. These were extremely radical ideas in the world at that time, but were and are the basis of Freemasonry. At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the 56 men who signed the declaration 9 were known Freemasons while ten others may have been. Granted the known Freemasons were, as a rule, more prominent, more instrumental in shaping the course of events than their unaffiliated colleagues.
On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a declaration of independence. Of the five men on this committee, two Benjamin Franklin and Robert Livingston were Freemasons, and one, Robert Sherman, is believed, though not confirmed, to have been.
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The other two, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were not. The writing of the declaration was composed by Jefferson. It was submitted to Congress and accepted on July 4 1776. The nine signatories who can now be established as proven Freemasons, and the ten who were possibly so, included such influential figures as Washington, Franklin and, of course, the president of the Congress, John Hancock.
During the revolution 74 men were commissioned to be generals in the United States Continental Army and from 1775 to 1783 and 33 of them or 46% were Freemasons.
So, you see my brothers, the masonic connection to the foundation of our nation really is undeniable and self-evident.
On August 13, 2011 we will be holding our 15 annual Harry S. Truman picnic where fun is always had by all. It truly is a wonderful event especially when we can gather together with friends and family and enjoy each other's company. Please make every attempt to come and join in on the festivities.
Have a Safe and Happy Summer
Fraternally,
W.'.Steven Siegel
Master Harry S. Truman No. 1066
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