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Service Anniversary Speech (A suggestion) |
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PREPARATION: 1. For each honoree, obtain the Date and Lodge of Raising. 2. Pronounce the full name and title of the Brother. 3. It’s appropriate to have the Certificate framed. 4. The Brother should be escorted to the West of the Altar. 5. The Master should present the Certificate and the Senior Warden should present the Lapel Pin. 6. Fifty-year Masons should have the honor of the DDGM in attendance and the DDGM should present the Certificate. If the Staff Officer is present, he should attach the Lapel Pin onto the honorees jacket. 7. At the conclusion of the presentation of the Lapel Pin and Certificate, Brothers who are celebrating 50 or more years of service should then be escorted to the East – accorded Grand Honors, presented the gavel and asked if he would like to make any remarks. 8. Arrangements should have been made to have photographs taken of the ceremony. 9. This is an opportunity to have the public invited. 10. At collation, the Master and DDGM should sit with the 50 year honoree. 11. Officers should be dressed in formal attire for the ceremony. 12. If relatives of honorees are present, they should be recognized by the Master.
SPEECHES: Master (the Certificate): (Title) Brother John Doe, this is a very special night for you and I am very honored to be able to present you with this Certificate which recognizes (number) years that you have toiled in the quarries of Masonry. You were raised in (Lodge name and number) on (date) and we are celebrating your (number) service anniversary here this evening. I know that you will proudly display this in an appropriate place in your home. For the benefit of our guests, I would like to read the inscription on this certificate (do so). I now present this certificate to you and congratulate you for your dedication to Masonry and for your loyal support to the craft for all of these years. I also have a Lapel Pin which is presented by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York in recognition of your service anniversary. This pin will be presented by our Senior Warden, Brother James Smith.
Senior Warden (the Lapel Pin): (Title) Brother John Doe, this Lapel Pin designates the number of years that you have been a Mason. But, more than that, when proudly worn and displayed it represents, loyalty, dedication and honor to the Fraternity. The Certificate presented to you by W\ Joseph Jones will be placed in your home for viewing by friends, neighbors and relatives; but this Lapel Pin may be viewed by a much larger audience. You will find that it will act as a conversation piece as Brothers examine it and comment on the number of years that it represents. May I pin it on your jacket? (Do so) Congratulations and wear it in good health. |
