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Deputy General Grand Master: Travels in April

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Austria, GEKT Easter Observance, Maine, GGC-PHA, and Georgia

Monty J Glover
Deputy General Grand Master

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Greetings Companions,

As usual, it’s been a while since I have written an article. Being a person that just doesn’t like writing a lot, it’s easy for me to get distracted and put it off. Next thing you know, I’m getting emails and phone calls from the General Grand Master and the General Grand Recorder to get off my duff and write something. I will continue to try and be better about writing, my Companions, about writing but please continue to be patient with me.

I don’t usually want to submit travelogue type articles, but I’ve been to so many these last couple of months and had some significant things happen. So here it is.

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In April, I had the honor of representing the General Grand Council in Austria for their Grand Sessions. It was a very quick meeting, but I enjoyed watching the Mark Master, Royal Arch and Royal and Select Masters degrees exemplified by some very outstanding ritualists. I also met with representatives of Croatia and Romania about the happenings in their jurisdictions. While I didn’t have any time to do any sightseeing, I did manage to sneak away for a moment to enjoy a Schnitzel by myself.

I then attended the Grand Encampment\’s Eastern Easter Observance at the George Washington Memorial in Alexandria, VA. This was my first time attending one of the Easter Events, and it was a great time. It was quite moving to sit on top of Shooter’s Hill looking toward the memorial with the sun rising over my shoulder and listen to a very inspirational message.

\"Monty

The following week, I made a quick trip up to Maine for their Grand sessions. It was cold and wet the whole time, but I was happy to be surrounded in the warm fraternal love of the Companions of Maine. As you will likely notice, I’m not one to take a lot of pictures. My memory is my camera most of the time, but I did happen to have enough time to stop for a selfie with one of the Moose in the lobby where the meetings were held.

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Next, I had the great honor to be the General Grand Council’s representative at the General Conference of Grand Councils Royal and Select Masters, PHA USA and the Bahamas. This was our first time attending their annual sessions since the official recognition was signed back in November, 2018. I was presented with a beautiful plaque with a working sextant mounted on it as a commemoration of the historic recognition. Most Illustrious Companion Victor Major, Past Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of California who, together with our MP David Grindle, forged this relationship stated that the sextant was a reminder that both our Illustrious Rites are charting a course across the Universe toward stronger ties of Fraternal Brotherhood. I was treated with great respect and truly enjoyed my time. One thing that I found enjoyable is the good natured joking and ribbing that went on during the meetings. While they were very respectful of the actual nature of the event, it was nice to see that they could also relax a little and express their true friendship along with their Brotherly relationships. This is something I think we all could use a little sometimes in our meetings.

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Lastly and most recently, I attended the Georgia Grand Sessions. This was special to me as it was my first time attending their session but also my first time in any York Rite meeting as a resident of Georgia. It was wonderful getting to meet new Companions as well as getting to renew the old relationships. I remember thinking while I was standing up giving my short remarks that this is my new home and these are my Companions. While the Hawaii York Rite will always be the Home of My Masonic Life, and it’s Brothers and Companions will always hold a warm and special place in my heart, it is good to see that there are so many great Companions to welcome me to this new chapter (really want to say Council) in my life.

So there you have it. I’ve been covering some ground and there is more to come starting with Mississippi next week and then Romania the beginning of June.

On my personal work front, I’m starting a new role with my company as a lead in Data Literacy which is a challenging new area where I have much to learn. It does involve a lot of writing and as I said above, I’m not one that enjoys writing a lot. But hey, the pay is good.

In my next article, which I do hope to have out in time for my next regularly scheduled publication date, I will pick up where I left off on my vision of the strategic plan that I hope together we can hone to a working living document to move the General Grand Council forward into the future. Looks like that sextant will have a lot of uses for us.

As always please reach out to me, or any of the Elected officers, and let us know how we are doing and what we can do to continue to improve your General Grand Council and be of service to you our Companions.

Aloha and Imua General Grand Council,

Monty

\"DoorAustria\"

Entrance to the Grand Lodge of Austria (No Masonic Symbols except the rough ashlar over the door)
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The cross at Grand Encampment Easter Observance, East
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A picture of the plaque comemorating recognition.
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Gheorghe Vilceanu, Norman Draine, and I.
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Teko Foly, General Grand Scribe of General Grand Chapter, RAM, and I.
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George Washington Masonic Memorial.
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General Conference of Grand Councils PHA Plaque presentation.

General Grand Council Prince Hall Affiliate Photo Credit: Companion Albert E. Van Slyke IV

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