VENERABLE MASTER'S INSTALLATION REMARKS
on Saturday, January 17, 2009

Brethren, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Friends,

On behalf of all the officers and members of the Alexandria SR Bodies I want to thank you for attending our Installation this evening.  I’m also certain that all the brethren would want to join me in congratulating and thanking Brother WSD for the excellent ritual work in conducting this evenings ceremonies.  Thank you Ill. Brother Walter.

Now that the holiday season is behind us, we can look forward with anticipation to the lodge activities of 2009.   And we can note with pleasure that all of them reflect the social and spiritual nature of our Scottish Rite philosophy.  Because these are duly noted in the SR bulletin, I won’t discuss them now.  But please be aware that several events are open to the the public and I want to mention three in particular:

-    Friends Dinner on 7 March – Fund raiser to benefit House of the Temple Historic Building Preservation Fund and Alexandria Bodies.

-    12 June  Teachers Night - Dinner and community services program to honor outstanding area teachers.

-    23 June - Little Theatre Night– Social outing.

I encourage you to put dates on your calendar now.  They are interesting and worthwile events which support the lodge’s social and community activities. 

I also would like to bring attention to the fact that 2009 is the Year of Albert Pike.  It is the 200th anniversary of his birth.  It is also the 150th anniversary of his election as Sovereign Commander of the AASR (SJ).   In coordination with the Orient of the District of Columbia we plan to conduct an informal program to observe these occasions.  For ease of planning - both events will take place on the “First Saturday mornings of the month” at 10:00 in the House of the Temple.  Details and information will be available on the Virginia AASR website.  The dates are:

-    7 February - Wreath Laying ceremony  - commemorating 150th annivsary of Albert Pike’s election as seventh Sovereign Grand Commander

-    5 December 5 – Wreath Laying ceremony and reception to observe Albert Pike’s 200th birthday.

And in order to highlight 2009 as the year of Albert Pike, the HOT has published this little book – String of Pearls.  It is a calendar book - with each day designating the birthday of a famous mason - and with daily quotation from Albert Pike.  For example, take today’s entry:  17 January, which reads as follows:

                        (Quote read directly from book)

As a mark of esteem, I would like to present a personal copy to each of the heads of the coordinate bodies that are on the dais with me this evening.  And brother Walter, I have a copy for you as well  - to each with my sincerest best regards. 

So… brethren and friends, we have a lot to celebrate and commemorate in 2009.  I invite you to attend as many of the various gatherings and ceremonies as may be possible.  I hope they will be ablaze with all the symbolic colors of the Scottish rite caps and regalia - along with the gold and purple of our leadership.  And most of all I hope that these activities will be full of meaning and interest for all of you – the brethren and families of the Alexandria Scottish Rite Bodies.