MESSAGE FROM THE EAST January 2012

Brothers,

It's not every day in life that we get to do something so totally awesome that goose bumps spontaneously

appear. For me it was seeing my daughter born as a preemie at 1 pound, 13 ounces in Bridgeport

Hospital, it was underwater diving in 2010 in 110 feet of crystal clear water, it was joining the Masonic

brotherhood,it was knowing that my grandfather was a mason, it was taking an officers position in lodge,

it was knowing that YOU BROTHERS had the loving compassion to allow me to sit in the West for one

more year while my daughter, Floren, was beating cancer, it was getting to a place in lodge where

everything you do suddenly means more .

As my eyes catch glimpses of further light, I see a wonderful group of brothers in Hiram #18 and other

lodges that suddenly mean more to me than I could ever imagine. It is difficult to describe and harder to

express, but I can only guess that those who have gone before me had the same goose bumps

I feel now. I have been fortunate and I have been blessed. I have experienced so much in the last 5

years that it takes my breath away and I wonder; where did the time go?

Those before us have left their mark on our community and we will make ours. As ambitious as I can be

I know that my "good and wholesome instructions" will only be as good as the brothers who are ready to

help our Lodge. What will we encounter in 2012? How will we do what we need to do? How will we

collectively rise to the challenges we will face? Fortunately, the answers come from my brothers.

I am looking forward, with enthusiasm, to my year as Master of Hiram # 18. Together we will make the

year successful, fun and filled with brotherly love! How could any Master of Hiram # 18 think otherwise?

And finally, my brothers, may I say thank you for what you have done for me in my life. May you make

every day you have on this planet benefit others by the brotherly love, friendship and truth we represent.

May brotherly love prevail and every social and moral virtue cement us.

Fraternally,

Marty Schertzer

WM, Hiram Lodge#18