Brethren,
The Installation of Officers has closed. The kitchen has been cleaned, the trash has been taken out and all of the decorations have been packed away. As I sit here, after all the festivities are done and the energy and noise and confusion and joy of the event have ceased and the quiet surrounds me, I am overwhelmed. I am staring at a blank screen trying to figure out how to put all of the emotion I've been feeling over the past week into words and know that the cop in me really wants to 'write the report' and then let me go to sleep. Unfortunately, if that happened, my article would read:
14-JAN-2012 1400 HOURS: There was an installation of officers at 303 W. Lincoln in Anaheim. Frivolity ensued. Merriment was observed. There was much rejoicing.
I want to thank everyone who has helped me through the installation to get to this point in my Masonic career. I may not mention you by name because so much has happened during the last few weeks, but know that I truly appreciate you.
Thank you, Sandy, my wife, for all of the planning, preparation, design and organization work that you put into this event. You are my love and wind beneath my wings and you have gone above and beyond throughout the years being supportive of me and all the members and families of Anaheim Lodge #207. Sandy has stood by me from the beginning and has been my better half - encouraging me and helping me to become a better man - as I moved through the Line to the position I am in today. She has cooked meals for the men, helped me to organize many dinners and events, and she was responsible for all of the organization that went on to make this installation the great event that it was. I could not have done any of this without you, Sandy.
A thank you to Kim Read and Marie Pinzon who helped with all of the tablecloths and set up, to Rebekah Hayes for her hard work on the Invitations and Programs, to Doug Calhoun and his wife Sharon for the excellent beef brisket, to Min Higashi for helping to prepare all that great ham, to Kim Read who cooked and prepared the sweet and sour chicken, and Ron and Diane Salda for the Hawaiian hors d'oeuvres.
Thank you to our youth orders as well; Walt Disney Chapter DeMolay for presenting the flag of our country, and to Jobs Daughters Bethel No. 5 for presenting the Living Cross.
Thank you to Donald and Sylvia Fee and Lonnie for all of their photography work for the Installation.
A special thank you to Matt Box who worked tirelessly to set up the Lodge, the kitchen, the cafeteria and who stayed until 2:00am cleaning up after the event.
A sincere thank you to Merritt Read, our Installing officer; Mike Black, our Master of Ceremonies; and Ray Godeke, our Installing Chaplain who all made the Installation memorable, historical and professional.
A thank you - and congratulations - to all of our newly installed officers as well.
A deep and heartfelt thank you to Junior Warden Shawn ("the beauty") Bell, who helped to keep me focused, and who continues to provide comic relief - intentionally or unintentionally??? - as we move forward through this Masonic year. Temperance, Brother. Temperance.
And finally a thank you to Kevin Stibich, our newest Past Master, for getting our great Lodge on track, bringing our members back to remember the great fraternity that they are a part of, and for helping to heal our Lodge. I look forward to continuing in his footsteps and building our Lodge back up.
Thank you to everyone who attended the event and who helped to made it a great, historical and outstanding event.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming Stated Meetings and events as we look forward to a GREAT Masonic year. Don't forget our Sweetheart's Dinner on February 11th at 2:00pm.
May peace and harmony be with you daily.
Ray Dailey
Master
