George Thompson
Chief Rabban

Greetings,

 Recently I had a conversation with a Noble who has not paid his dues for this year.  When I discussed this with him, he stated he probably would not continue his membership, and then said “What has the Shrine done for me?”  I was really taken aback by this question.  Most of us think in the terms of what we can do for our Lodge or Temple, not what they can do for us.  Although greatly agitated by his comments, I calmly replied:  “I can’t tell you what the Shrine has done for you; I can only state what it has done for me….
                I have been privileged to meet thousands of fellow Nobles and their Ladies who provided Sharon and me immediate friendship because we were Shrine Family.
                I have had the opportunity to visit a Shrine Hospital where I witnessed a child born without legs scurry across the floor faster than I could walk.  During a later visit I witnessed that same child walking very well with his new orthopedics.
                I once travelled to our Cincinnati burn hospital with a fellow and his son.  The son was being treated for burns received during a house fire.  I noticed the father also had suffered burns.  He told me he received them while attempting to rescue his children from the same burning home.  I was very proud to be travelling with this gentleman, a man who had truly displayed fatherly love and true courage.
                I have enjoyed many Shrine social events where the camaraderie provided an immediate lifting of my spirits and a great appreciation and love one receives from being a member of the Shrine.
                I have visited a Shrine Hospital anniversary celebration where over 100 former patients were in attendance, patients who were so proud of our hospitals that they refer to themselves as Shrine Hospital Alumni.  I received a very heartwarming experience in seeing how Shriners had so greatly affected their lives and enabled them to be very successful adults.
                I have had the experience of witnessing new Nobles initiated into our Fraternity, and to witness them become better Masons because of their Shrine experiences.
                I have been honored to belong to a Shrine Unit  whose members all have provided prior service to our great Nation, and who continue to fully express their love and patriotism for our beloved United States.
                Most of all I have experienced a deep satisfaction because the Shrine has enabled me to further advance those Masonic Principals that direct us towards a charitable and greater respect for our fellow man.
                If I may paraphrase the famous words of Charlton Heston when he appeared before the National Rifle Association “they will have to pry my Shrine Membership Card from my cold dead hands.””  For those Nobles who may be thinking of  leaving this great fraternal organization, I hope you’ll continue to stay with us and enjoy similar wonderful experiences.
              
“Happy Trails, and may the good Lord take a liken to you.”

I am Fraternally,
George Thompson