It's a real privilege for me to have the opportunity to represent the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York on this glorious occasion.

One of the most well-known and memorable speeches ever given was Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. I would venture to guess that everyone here could quote at least the first line from that speech. You may not be aware that the address was only two minutes in length, and you probably are not aware that Lincoln's speech was preceded by a two-hour opening address by orator Edward Everett. We remember Lincoln's address but not Everett's. There's a lesson here for speakers, so you can be sure my remarks are not two hours in length.

It's appropriate to our heritage as Free and Accepted Masons to be involved in the dedication of objects of stone. Our forebears during the middle ages in Europe were the operative stonemasons who designed and erected the magnificent cathedrals and public buildings of that time. The fraternity also carries forward the tradition of service to the community from those early days when it was not only a stonemasons guild but also performed social services within the fraternity and for the community at large.

As the fraternity of Freemasons emerged from the middle ages, it was such a prestigious organization that many who were not stonemasons desired to be a part of its good works. And so they began to accept other men of good character resulting in the title we carry forward to the present of Free and Accepted Masons. During the 18th and 19th centuries in this country, the lodges and religious institutions were the primary gathering places and the media for communication for most people. And perhaps we should include the gathering around the cracker barrel at the general store, but in particular, the Masonic Lodges acted as a medium through which the men of the community could remain current on local, state and national issues, and understand the impact on their business or profession. Even into the early 20th century, these were important vehicles for communications. Of course that was only an added benefit of being part of an organization that binds good men together in mutual respect, friendship, patriotism and belief in God.

One of the most difficult aspects of Freemasonry to explain is the strength of the bond that exists among Masons, whether they are old friends or complete strangers.

Perhaps one of the most amazing examples of the strength of Masonic brotherhood, particularly to non-Masons, is the role it has played during wartime. Throughout our nation's history, Freemasonry has been a significant influence among officers and enlisted men alike. During the Revolutionary War, when warfare was waged according to a set of rules, most Masonic lodges were military lodges and met wherever and whenever convenient. Often Masons from both sides of the conflict met together in lodge and then returned to their respective armies the next day.

During the civil war, some of the most moving stories of Masonic brotherhood emerged, transcending the battle that pitted American against American. An example of how Freemasons on both sides of the conflict met in peace and harmony is contained in this report on St. James Lodge #47 of Louisiana: "without any interruption except that occasioned by the movement of the military during the siege of Port Hudson, it has labored up to the present moment. Situated as it was, on the very border of the conflict, it had a delicate mission to perform. Through its principles and precepts, this lodge earned the I respect and esteem of those in authority on both sides of the line, and I was the only power here instrumental in mitigating the horrors of war." This confidence was never betrayed or misused.

Another example can be seen in a statue at the Gettysburg battlefield entitled "Friend to Friend" that depicts a fallen Confederate officer being aided and comforted by a Union officer and brother Mason who, after the war, personally traveled to the Confederate officer's home to deliver his belongings to his widow and relate the circumstances of the last moments of his life. It commemorates that kind of brotherhood that proved stronger than the Union and Confederate causes. By the way, the artist who produced the statue later became a Mason.

Those stories continue in proliferation through World Wars I and II where even the language barrier was overcome by mutual Masonic recognition. Particularly in prisoner of war situations, the Masonic ties between brothers of opposing sides could overwhelm the fierce conflict they were a part of.

As the 20th century progressed, communications media flourished and brought us into the information age in which the means of communication and sources of information seem boundless. At the same time, more recent conflicts have become wars of technology and terrorism, not those of personal combat and contact. These are factors that contribute to the fading recognition of who the Masons are and what they stand for. The increasing demands on our time also have contributed to the inability of some good men who would desire to be a part of this great fraternity to go through the three degrees to become a Master Mason. That's why our Grand Master is offering the opportunity on March 29th of next year to pass through all three degrees and become a Master Mason in one day.

We must never forget our veterans and the sacrifices they made to assure the integrity of this great nation of ours. And that's why it's wonderful to see dedicated citizens come forward to beautify this cemetery... to attract visitors and provide the opportunity for all to i remember and contemplate the great deeds of the men and women I who have defended their country and made it possible for us to enjoy our freedom and democracy.

May God bless each of you who were involved in this project, and may God bless all of those Veterans we commemorate and recognize this weekend.

[ PHOTOS OF THIS EVENT ]