On December 14th 2012, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas M: W: Walter M. Rodgers was received in Alamo Lodge #44 which was held in the Alamo. This is an annual event that was started in 1982 by Alamo Lodge #44 to receive the newly elected Grand Master and his officers within the the confines of the sacred monument of Texas, the Alamo. For those real long time readers of this blog, know that in 2007 was the first time I attended this event, and was disappointed in the speech given by then Grand Master M: W: Tommy Griffin, who upset over what he considered to be a slighting over the questions and answers during the examination of the candidate. He used a phrase that today is still upsetting to me "We aren't the men we use to be". His attempt to hearken back to circa 1955 left a bad taste in my mouth, and my general view on Grand Lodge Officers. I will say that this past year I had the honor of meeting and having multiple talks with R: W: Griffin and have found him to be a wonderful man, and mason.
Master Masons and their guests met at the Scottish Rite Cathedral a couple of blocks away from the Alamo in their aprons. When M: W: Rodgers arrived he was sure to introduce himself to every man in the room. To me this was refreshing as in the past and at other Masonic events the Grand Master has a tendency to cordon himself off from the general public and surrounds himself with his advisers or other Grand Officers. I have met M: W: Rodgers twice before tonight, but every time he is friendly and out going.
The event this time was also wonderfully coordinated this time, the procession was started by Master Masons, and their guests to the Alamo being lead by a bag piper. This effort gave notification to the general public that we were marching towards the Alamo. This was much better than in years past when we would gaggle from the Scottish Rite Cathedral to the Alamo. We then formed two lines and properly greeted our District Deputy Grand Masters and our Grand Line Officers. From here we entered the Alamo and began the meeting. During it M: W: Rodgers addressed the crowd and emphasized the hollowed ground and the roles that Masons played during the siege of the Alamo.
It felt good to sit in the Alamo again, it felt good after all this time, and after all that has changed. If any Mason has a chance to participate in this event I would seriously consider it, I am not from Texas and what locals colorfully refer to as a "transplant". Still as a man, a combat veteran and a Mason it was inspiring being in a place surrounded by my brethren.
S&F,
-Bro Vick
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