One week ago, I woke up cautiously optimistic that we would make history in Salt Lake City. It was indeed a long-shot, but there were signs that victory was possible. By the afternoon, the results were in and the voting members had spoken. I congratulate SK Jeff on his election. I thank you for your support and encouragement, even if your vote was for SK Jeff.
It was a great three years crossing the continent by plane and car, countless email messages and phone calls, and of course, these messages over the past 16 months. While the campaign results are disappointing, the reality is that it got people talking and looking for ways to improve our Order. I pledge to you to continue doing so, if even from the sidelines.
To answer the common question from one week ago: No, I do not intend to run for the advancing line in 2027. At 63 years old today, I would be 66 if elected as the next Grand Captain General and 78 when I would potentially complete my term as Grand Master. My lovely wife, Lady Debbie, is a few years my senior, and that is a strong consideration as well. We plan to take time to travel more and enjoy life together, visiting our grandkids, and finding ways to continue to serve others.
I also plan to do more writing and, I hope, speaking to Masonic groups about renewal and revitalization. The website, 40MileProject.us, will get a facelift, but I want it will be a place for conversaton and information-sharing about things that work and things that might work better elsewhere or with some revision.
I also have a long-overdue book to finish based on my master of arts thesis
(Colonial American Freemasonry up to 1770)
Feel free to unsubscribe from these messages if you like. I’ll send one out from time to time, but certainly not on the regularity of the past 16 months. If you have questions, ideas, or just want to have a friendly conversation, please feel free to contact me.
Again, I thank you for letting me into your inbox for the past three years, and look forward to continuing to work with you as we revive, renew, and grow our marvelous Order. God’s blessings to you all!