Greetings:

July 4th, marks the 232nd anniversary of the founding of the United States of America. On July 4, 1776, representatives from the original thirteen colonies signed the Declaration of Independence proclaiming freedom from British rule. The Declaration proclaimed that "all men are created equal" and that all men enjoyed "unalienable rights" including "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."

Throughout the history of the United States of America, many Freemasons were involved in these ideals. The history of Freemasonry and the history of this country are very clearly interwoven. The following is a short list of some well known Masons. Masonic Presidents include:

George Washington, James Munroe, Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James A. Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Gerald Ford. Evidence exists to suggest that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson were also Masons.

Of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, the number eight (8) is usually accepted as the absolute minimum of Freemasons who signed the declaration. Though some evidence exists to show another 24 were Masons, it is not regularly accepted that they were Masons. Clearly, 13 of the 39 who signed the Constitution were members of Masonic lodges. Of the others, absolute proof has not been found. In 1717, in England, local Masonic lodges created a system whereby they sent representatives to a body called the Grand Lodge, which governed them all. The Grand Lodge then elected its own Grand Master. The experiment, which began in this country in 1788, is one in which states send their representatives to a Congress. And if Brother Alexander Hamilton had prevailed, the Congress would be electing the President of the United States. A number of authorities report that General George Washington's staff looked like a Masonic convention. The list of American Masons in Washington's service included many of his Generals. Other revolutionary heroes included Patrick Henry, Nathan Hale, and John Paul Jones, just to name a few. The record shows that by 1800 there were 347 lodges in the United States.

The implementation of our democratic ideals is continuing while our servicemen and women serve in harms way in the military preserving those same ideals that our founding fathers sought in the founding of the United States of America. Freemasons continue to play an integral role by ensuring the foundation of a successful and productive nation. Your commitment and preservation render these achievements possible. I personally thank all Masons for your dedication to our democratic ideals and Freemasonry.

Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
Terry, Past Master
Freemason
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