My Brothers All:

As I prepare this article, we are halfway through the Fall Reunion, and I am pleased to report that we, as a Valley, have done a superb job of transitioning our reunion, and the numerous degrees that we confer, into a lodge room setting. All of the committees and the many Brothers who are part of a degree on day one were flexible and creative in crafting solutions when a situation occurred that needed to be worked out on the spot to ensure the successful conferral of the degrees. To all of you and much more, a special thank you! I anticipate that day two will be as successful as day one!

There is still some work needed to improve those situations that created the need for an on the spot solution. After we complete our first reunion, we will schedule a Degree Master and Committee meeting to identify the various challenges we faced so that we have a solution before we arrive at our Spring Reunion. Working together, I am confident that we will address and improve those few issues that surfaced and ensure that the experience our new brothers receive at the spring reunion will be at the level we have been accustomed to providing. For those who participated this weekend, please put your thoughts down on paper before they slip away so that we review each one when we get together.

At this particular Reunion honored the memory of a distinguished 33° Inspector General Honorary who also served our Grand Lodge as Grand Master in 1986. Ill:. Ralph T. Miller 33° PGM, was a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite – Valley of Orlando for 52 years at his passing to the Celestial Lodge above on December 12, 2012. Ill:. Ralph was known by Masons across the state of Florida and is remembered by many. Please take a moment and honor the memory of Ill:. Ralph T. Miller 33° PGM.

As a reminder, any Brother who is a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor, or an Illustrious 33° Inspector General Honorary. If you desire to attend the Investiture and Coronation ceremonies in Tampa on the 11th of November, please get with our General Secretary, Keith, and he will provide you the information for the event including the banquet and lodging information. In that it is fast approaching, this will be the last reminder and might already be too late to register. If you desire to attend the ceremonies and dinner contact the Valley Secretary, get the registration forms, and submit them ASAP.

Until next time, remember the many things for which you are thankful! Be safe in your travels; “whisper wise counsel in the ear of an erring brother;” and respect the dignity of all, as it makes you and our fraternity stronger one action at a time. We are realizing the benefits of Scottish Rite Freemasonry as we actively participate today. We want to ensure that what we are enjoying today will be strong for those who will follow.  Simply stated – “We lead the way today so those who follow us can lead the way tomorrow!”  Thanks for your continued support and participation; and may the “Spirit of Fraternity” reign supreme within our “Valley of Orlando!”

Fraternally,

Ill:. Chester A. “Chet” King, 33°
Personal Representative

“People forget what you say, and forget what you do, but forever remember how you made them feel!”