C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander

During this month, we honor those Americans from every walk of life who fought and bled and died for the golden dream of freedom.

Writing in the mid-1800's, Albert Pike observed: "War seems to be the natural condition of man. The periods of true freedom, brief and transitory, have been but the dreams of the world." Undoubtedly, Pike was right, but America has dared to dream such dreams and to pay the price of making them a reality.

Through two World Wars and conflicts since, Americans have fought not, as in ages past, for glory, or territory, or power over conquered peoples, but for freedom for all humankind. For this, many thousands have placed on the altars of eternity that sacrifice which the Bible claims is the most selfless and heroic of all—they have given their lives for others. What universal rejoicing there was on November 11, 1918, when the First World War ended! And how appropriate it was when Congress, in 1926, provided by law that November 11 should be set aside in perpetuity to commemorate the service of those, living and dead, who had secured the future by their heroism. Then how right it was that, in 1954, the observations of the day were extended to all the veterans of all America's conflicts.

The military forces of America are not composed of mercenaries hired to kill and face death as a matter of business. Rather, they are men and women from our neighborhoods and churches. They are our friends and family members. They slog through jungle mire and desert dust not for gold but for the golden dream of freedom. And the amazing thing, the most highly honorable thing, is that they do this not just in defense of their own homes, but in the defense of the homes and lives of people they probably will never know.

It is our task, our honorable obligation, to make certain that their dream does not die. In January of this year, we marked the end of a remarkable century of freedom. But can we sustain liberty in the new millennium? It is unthinkable that we should waste the sacrifices of those who have gone before and allow the dark of tyranny to return. Yet, if we forget them, our veterans, if we discount their heroism as a curious relic of an earlier time, we doom their dream to death as surely as they brought it to life.

From its earliest days, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry has held up the shining examples of those who have given of their time, treasure, and lives to secure the happiness, security, and freedom of others. In stone and bronze, in stained glass and in print, we have recalled their valor and dignity. Let us never forget these brave men and women. Let us show, by our words and in our actions, that we remember their golden dream, honor it, and share in it so that freedom and human dignity may become a living reality for all the men and women of the earth.

America At The Millennium Harold Millard McMore, 32° 4412 Anaconda Drive, New Port Richey, Florida 34655–7300 It is the grand year of 2000, look how far we have come. Hail to the red, white, and blue! Hail to the men and women who have fought and fight for our country. They are brave souls, tried and true. We love our flag and our country, We have the Armed Forces to thank for being free, The simple pleasures of walking down the street, To be able to speak of anything and to anyone we meet. Thanks to the Army, the Navy, and all the Armed Forced, thank each! America, we are proud to be citizens and a part of you and your name. Please thank the soldiers for their loyalty and bravery, Paying the ultimate price for us to be free! Merry millennium to our entire country! Brother McMore, Valley of Nashville, Tenn., a veteran, celebrated his 93rd birthday this year.