ALAS,
BROTHER FORD
by W:.Tim Bryce, PM,
MPS
timb001@phmainstreet.com
Palm Harbor, Florida, USA
"A Foot Soldier for Freemasonry"
Bro. Gerald R. Ford
38th President of the United States
(1913-2006)
As you know, we lost Brother Gerald Ford last month. His passing represents
a significant milestone in the history of Freemasonry as he was the
last U.S. President who was a Freemason. In addition to Bro. Ford,
there were six U.S. Presidents in the 20th century who were
raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason, including:
Theodore Roosevelt - Matinecock Lodge No. 806 F.& A.M., Oyster Bay, NY
26th President (1901-1909)
William Howard Taft - initiated Occasional Lodge, Cincinnati, OH;
affiliated Kilwinning Lodge No. 356 F.& A.M, Cincinnati, OH
27th President (1909-1913)
Warren G. Harding - Marion Lodge No. 70 F.& A.M., Marion, OH
29th President (1921 to 1923)
Franklin D. Roosevelt - Holland Lodge No. 8 F.& A.M., New York, NY
32nd President (1933-1945)
Harry S. Truman, PGM - Belton Lodge No. 450 A.F.& A.M., MO
33rd President (1945-1953)
Gerald R. Ford - Malta Lodge No. 465 F.& A.M., Grand Rapids, MI
38th President (1974–1977)
As I listened to the eulogies during Bro. Ford's funeral and the commentaries
by newscasters, I heard him frequently described as "good and decent,"
"honorable," and a common man who rose to the occasion under extraordinary
circumstances. Our Brother from Michigan was a man who faced the television
cameras on more than one occasion and did what he believed was morally right,
not necessarily what was politically correct. Such decisions ultimately
cost him the 1976 presidential election but endeared him to a nation.
One has to wonder where he picked up these "good and decent" traits. Was it
his church? The Boy Scouts? On the gridiron at the University of Michigan or in the
Navy during World War II? As Masons, we like to believe we influenced his life and
shaped his character as well. And hopefully we did.
Two things strike me with his passing though. First, there are no other
Presidential candidates on the horizon with Masonic credentials. The last
two were Sens. Robert Dole and Jack Kemp (who ran against Pres. Clinton in
1996). This suggests to me that the Masons are no longer considered a group
with any influence or sway. If this is true, this represents a significant
turning point in our fraternity.
The second point that disturbs me is that "good and decent" are no longer
considered valued attributes for success in life. I do not believe the
social fabric of the United States or elsewhere will permit a "good and
decent" man to succeed anymore. Success now depends on political wrangling,
as opposed to truth, dedication and integrity. In other words, we are expected
to behave like old ladies spreading gossip and innuendo instead of acting like
men and Masons. We are now besieged with cowards who hide in the shadows and
practice the art of character assassination.
I believe we have seen the end of politicians with moral fortitude as exemplified
by Bro. Ford (for the country's sake, I hope I am wrong). On the surface, it
doesn't appear the lack of honor and integrity has an adverse affect on a political
resume anymore. Perhaps the country simply doesn't care. To me, this moral decay
represents danger signs of the passing of Freemasonry, not just Bro. Ford. Now is
the time for Masons to renew their faith in the obligations and tenets of the fraternity,
and show that "good and decent" are not irrelevant attributes. We can only do this
by example and demanding such from our leaders.
Keep the Faith.
NOTE: The opinions expressed in this essay are my own and do not necessarily represent
the views or opinions of any Grand Masonic jurisdiction or any other Masonic related body.
As with all of my Masonic articles herein, please feel free to reuse them in Masonic
publications or re-post them on Masonic web sites (except Florida).
When doing so, please add the following:
Please forward me a copy of the publication when it is produced.
Article reprinted with
permission of the author and www.FreemasonInformation.com
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