My Brethren:

Thank you for electing me to the most honorable position a Mason can
receive at the hands of the brethren of his Lodge.  I will endeavor to
serve the Lodge with the same fidelity and enthusiasm that has so
distinguished my predecessors in the Oriental Chair of Dawson Lodge #16.

I wish to express my gratitude to those without whom I would not be
serving as Master:  Milton P. Firestone, PM, 33--my grandfather, whose
outstanding work in Masonry I can only hope to emulate; Harry A.
Steiner, 32--my grandfather who led me to the Lodge door by example and
was present for my raising; Linn J. Firestone, 32--my father and
first-line signer (need more be said?); C. Macaulay Ward, PM, 33--always
the source of good advice and friendship; and especially Darwin Brock,
PGM, 33--an inspiration to every Mason who knows him.  I hope to live up
to their expectations.

The plan of meetings for this year includes a program every month
(except December, which is Installation) including some distinguished
Masonic researchers who may not be as commonly heard in DC as they
deserve.  Masonic education is what distinguishes Freemasonry from
run-of-the-mill social organizations, and it will not be neglected in
Dawson Lodge #16 this year!

It is one of my special intentions to encourage participation in, or at
least attendance at, the various Masonic youth groups.  DC does not have
all of these in operation, but many of you live in the suburbs where
Assemblies, Bethels, and Chapters are all to be found.  The famous
philosopher, Allen Koenigsberg (you might think of him as Woody Allen!),
wrote that showing up is 80% of life.  Just showing up at DeMolay can be
enough to bring us petitions when the boys become men and remember that
the Masons were interested in their group.  Rainbow Girls and Jobies
grow up and marry men who might thereby come to think favorably about
joining the Craft.  Your Senior Warden and I have already visited more
than one group and plan to continue doing so this year.

Petitions are available from your Secretary.  Each of you certainly
knows at least one man who is already prepared in his heart to be a
Mason.  Tell him how much good Masonry has done you; Masonry can be sold
without solicitation by setting an example.

The program for this month is "Ancient Truths."  It will answer the
question of how dusty old ideas from a hundred or more years ago can be
relevant to our lives in these modern times.

Fraternally,

Roger M. Firestone, Master