C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°
Sovereign Grand Commander

As the Volume of the Sacred Law says, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). My "season" during 18 years as Grand Secretary General, 18 years as Sovereign Grand Commander, and 56 years as an employee of the Supreme Council came to an end during the 2003 Biennial Session when, on October 7, the Supreme Council installed Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Lieutenant Grand Commander and S.G.I.G. in Louisiana, to our Order's highest office, that of Sovereign Grand Commander. There could be no better choice. Brother Seale is an experienced leader and dedicated Freemason who is able and determined to advance the Scottish Rite into the 21st Century as a dynamic Order meeting the challenges of change while maintaining the continuity and excellence which are the hallmarks of our Rite.

Each level of my lifelong service to the Craft has yielded an abundance of happy memories, gratitude for being able to work with such fine people, and, ultimately, a deep sense of personal satisfaction. Together, we have been able to accomplish much. Supported by family, friends, colleagues, and the Brethren, we can aspire to and reach heights never dreamed of in common hours.

During my first official dinner as Grand Commander, I clearly remember telling those present "You can accomplish much if you don't care who gets the credit." I have kept these words, mounted on a plaque, as a permanent fixture of my office desk in the House of the Temple. Giving credit where credit is due has been my personal motto and the guiding principle of my administration. It really doesn't matter who gets the recognition so long as what is accomplished is for the betterment of the organization.

Now, in my last formal published address to the Brethren as Sovereign Grand Commander, I wish to use this opportunity to thank, one and all, the multitude of persons who have supported me these many years. There is no way, of course, to recognize everyone and certainly not the hundreds of thousands of Brethren across the Southern Jurisdiction who, as active Scottish Rite members, have given of their time, labor, fraternal love, and financial resources to our Order. People make the difference, and each of you has made a difference for good in Freemasonry.

Because of your support of the RiteCare Childhood Language Program, children have learned to speak, to hear, to understand, and to communicate. Each child's life and our nation as a whole have been benefited through your efforts.

Because you cared about Freemasonry and the Scottish Rite, you labored in your Blue Lodges and Valleys, achieved success in many significant programs, and brought other good men to our ranks.

Because you wished to preserve our heritage, you contributed to the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, Inc., so that today the Library and Museums of the House of the Temple are world-class resources for learning about Freemasonry.

Because of you, our Order is stronger and better than ever before. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

One of the keen regrets in retiring during the 2003 Biennial Session is that I will miss the company and support of all the wonderful people who, over the last half-century, have been a treasured part of my life. To every Scottish Rite Brother, whatever your position of leadership or support, thank you for your fraternal fellowship and cooperation. You are the Order, and I will be forever grateful for your participation in Scottish Rite Freemasonry. To my beloved wife, Gene, and family, without your unwavering encouragement and love, I could not have taken even one step of the long Masonic journey that has brought me to this happy conclusion.

To all, farewell and Godspeed. May you, too, find happiness in the arms of your family, comfort in the hearts of your Brethren, and fulfillment in the spirit of this noble Order.