As we begin our October meeting, I ask that we pause to remember our Brother John “Gig” J. Gigliotti. John was not only a Brother, but someone with whom I shared meaningful conversations, fellowship, and the common bond of serving our nation, especially in the Republic of Korea but differing times. He knew how to enjoy life and appreciate the friendships he made. His absence will be felt, but his memory will remain with us.

I hope everyone had a productive and, most importantly, safe summer. As we return to Lodge, I look forward to seeing everyone in September. At our next Stated Meeting, we will give a brief “State of the Lodge,” including an update on our finances and where we stand moving forward. I also want to reassure everyone: “the Lodge is financially solvent and in the black.” After discussions with the Trustees and Treasurer over the summer months, we are currently approximately $10,000 under the 2026 budget.

True character isn't forged when everything goes strictly according to plan; it’s revealed in how we respond when the unexpected happens. We are taught in Freemasonry about standing upright in society and demonstrating our fitness to be made a Mason. That philosophy sounds great in theory, but its real-world test comes in moments of pressure—like standing in line at a formal District visitation, extending a warm hand of fellowship, and silently performing emergency footwear surgery with a bit of tarred bank-line while your sole falls apart. 

We live in a world that rarely stops shouting. Modern life demands that we always be "on," always be loud, and always be moving. It is easy to feel hollowed out by the end of the day. But when we step across the threshold of the Lodge, the volume of the world drops. The Lodge offers us something rare and desperately needed: "quiet strength". This isn't passivity or retreat. It is the steady, unshakeable foundation that allows a man to stand firm when the storms of life rage around him.

It is with profound pride and humility that I greet you as we mark an extraordinary milestone: the 268th Anniversary of our beloved Lodge. For nearly three centuries, our Lodge has stood as a beacon of Freemasonry, built on the dedication of the brothers who preceded us and sustained by the devotion of our members today. As we celebrate our rich history, we also honor the pillars who have guided our way. With deep gratitude, I must announce that our esteemed Chaplain, Brother David R. Thomas, will be stepping down from his station as Chaplain.

It is a pleasure to return and observe the many familiar faces, including those supporting from the sidelines. Your continued presence is a testament to the strength and vitality of our Lodge. Equally encouraging is the increase in petitions being presented at our meetings, as well as the growing number of younger and newer members assuming active roles and responsibilities. You represent the future of our Lodge and serve as its outward face. For those who have not recently visited the Grand Lodge website, members of Lodge No. 2 are currently featured in promotional materials for Freemasonry—an honor that reflects positively upon us all.

From the conversations I have had with many of you, it is clear that Bro. Michael J. Vivas, Junior Warden, did an outstanding job in my absence during March. I am grateful for his leadership and dedication. While in Istanbul, I had the opportunity to spend time near the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, where cats freely roam the grounds. As I sat on a ledge in the plaza, one cat took kindly to me. It allowed me to pet it and soon grew so comfortable that it lay down, exposing its belly—a position cats reserve only for those they trust. Many tourists stopped to take pictures, so I may very well be appearing somewhere on social media.

For the March Stated Meeting, our Junior Warden, Bro. Michael J. Vivas, will take charge of the Lodge. I have full confidence he will do an outstanding job in my absence. Since sitting in the East, many things have transpired. One especially meaningful milestone is my wife’s and my 25th Wedding Anniversary this past September 2025. Due to circumstances at the time, we postponed celebrating it. By Providence, however, we will now have the opportunity to renew our vows in one of the grottos near Saint Peter’s Tomb beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Each of us stands upon the shoulders of those who came before us—men who made sacrifices, lived their lives in their own day, and truly lived. We read about them now. We hear and see their names. And if we take a moment of silence, we can almost hear the echoes of their voices—whispers carried forward through time.

Welcome to the New Year! In case you missed it, the newly elected officers have been installed, and we all look forward to serving you in this Masonic year. Bros. Michael J. Vivas and O. Steven Schneider, Jr. did an excellent job with their obligations, and I know they will continue to do great work as the torch is passed into their care.