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WM Acceptance Address

John Pavlick  2001-2002

He revealed that he never planned to do great things, such as the disbanding of the Soviet Union and leading his country towards a democratic society.

While he studied at the U. of Moscow, he was exposed to the principles of democracy. Those principles stayed in his mind for many years.

As his professional life changed from year to year, he found himself in politics and he kept working, making little changes in his life, until the day when he was selected to become the President of the Soviet Union.

At that time, he realized that he had the power and desire to change the world, as it was then. And change it he did, drawing on those principles of democracy that he was exposed to in his formative years at the University of Moscow so many years before.

When I joined this fraternity, I had no thoughts of becoming any type of officer. I joined the fraternity for the friendship, morality, and brotherly love found in Masonry.

I saw the type of men that were Masons and I enjoyed being around them.

After I decided to join, I informed my wife, Romay, that I might want to be a Mason. That's when I found out that her father was a Mason. I was so impressed that I had to join this fraternity.

We have pictures at home of Romay's father holding her sister Joan as a baby and Romay and her sister Perla as toddlers standing next to him and he's wearing the ring that I wear today.

The night I was raised to the degree of Master Mason, even though our children, Scott and Melissa, were still young, they were allowed to stay up later than usual by Romay.

When I got home that night, there on the kitchen table was a cake decorated with a square and compasses and they presented me with Romay's father's ring.

That night was like a birthday party with us staying up late eating cake and ice cream.

I never planned on becoming Worshipful Master. But like the captain of a ship, he never sees the port to which he is sailing.

He continually makes small course corrections to finally reach his destination.

By being appointed to positions by the Past Masters to serve the Lodge, and by the little course corrections I made over the years prompted by my brothers of the Lodge, I now find myself standing before you.

Brother officers, by your joining this fraternity and living the lessons taught to you in the degrees of Masonry, I hope you have also found yourself changing as your responsibilities have become more and more extensive.

Through your hard work and dedication to serve the Lodge, you are unselfishly progressing toward the office of Worshipful Master.

For myself, I am grateful to the Past Masters who continued to appoint me so that I could continue serving the Lodge.

My brothers of the Lodge, I am grateful to you for electing me to the offices of Junior and Senior Warden, positions where I could be taught further lessons in preparation for the position to which you have now elected and installed me: lessons in labor and refreshment and in harmony and support.

I'd like for y'all to know the brothers who most influenced me in my Masonic passport.

E J Wadsworth, who patiently came to my shop and taught me my lessons. I thank you for making the Welcome Address this afternoon.

Bob Kachelhofer, who always told me to speak up so everyone can hear you while you're doing your work and always made me feel good when he gave me that little wink every time I did it right. Thank you, Bob.

J. D. Harris, who let me wear down the floor in his garage teaching me the floor work of the ritual. My feet have never been so tired. Thank you, J. D.

Clarence Landrum, who, as we Masons say, raised me. He is one of my closest brothers. I've been known at times to hug and kiss him and that's because I love you dearly.

And now as Worshipful Master, I promise to endeavor to rule and govern the Lodge with equal regularity as the Sun and the Moon.

I look forward to an abundance of work and proper instruction to and through the craft throughout the year.