Brethren,

This will be my last message to you as your Grand Master. These two years have been wonderful. I say that sincerely despite the complexity of the challenges we are addressing as a Fraternity. I feel sure you realize that many important and tough decisions have had to be made ­ and that there will be more to be made in the future. I will not elaborate on them here because I have referred to them in previous "Word to the Craft" messages and serious ones are discussed on this page in this The Pennsylvania Freemason. Your concern, constructive input, and fraternal support have been appreciated.

H.O.P.E.: Helping Others Pursue Excellence has been my theme. As we traveled north, south, east, and west in this Great Jurisdiction, I recognized that all of us are striving for excellence. Brethren, when we are in our communities, wherever you are and whenever you get the chance, talk about Freemasonry. Let your friends and neighbors ­ everybody ­ know that Freemasonry is "alive and well" in Pennsylvania, serving mankind and doing good unto others.

I re-emphasize, we have to let the public know about us ­ who we are, what we stand for, and what we do! Brethren, we, the Masons, are the only ones who can do that. I have heard, "Oh, you belong to that secret organization." It should be a goal of ours to overcome that misconception. We, all of us in the Family of Freemasonry, can do that if we work together.

I want to thank all of you who have come to your respective Lodge anniversary meetings and banquets. There is where I got the opportunity that I cherish to be able to greet you, shake your hand, and talk a little. In those travels, I found it interesting and encouraging to learn how many good young men who are 18, 19 and 20 years of age have been petitioning our Blue Lodges, either before they go into the service or leave for college.

I am so proud of our veterans ­ at home or abroad, in Iraq, Afghanistan, wherever, by land, sea, or in the air. It has been a series of proud experiences for me, along with contingents of Masons, to visit four of our Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Pennsylvania (I still want to call them "VA Hospitals"). Meeting and greeting those veterans really is an overwhelming experience. May God bless them!

The gavel will soon be passed. I ask that you support the next Grand Master and his administration as well as you have supported this one. By doing so, as a band of Brothers, we will continue to strive for excellence.

Above all, these are my closing Words to the Craft: "Thank you for allowing me to be your Grand Master of Masons in Pennsylvania for 2002 and 2003."

May you have smooth sailing in all that you do. And, God Bless America!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr.,
R.W. Grand Master