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RICHARD E. JOHNSON

Deputy Grand Master, 1990

BIOGRAPHY

From TROWEL, Spring 1990, Page 16:

Richard Earl Johnson of Northboro was installed Deputy Grand Master and in his talk he emphasized ". . . the need for genuine sense of purpose, and for the Craft to be more pare of our community needs among the aged and misguided youth. It is our duty as Masons to provide the moral fiber of life to others and to understand that our personal efforts are as important to society as giving money. The need to stretch forth our hands to save others, not just our fallen Brothers. Let us unite to expose to society the lodges we take inside our temples."

From TROWEL, Summer 1990, Page 11:

Deputy Grand Master Credits the Army for His Present Posture

For many years prior to the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. Navy had a billboard slogan, "Join the Navy and See the World." Uncle Sam, attired in his proper red, white and blue uniform and top hat was pointing to every young man to the effect that, "I need you!" Our new Deputy Grand Master is a well travelled man; has been to most of the 50 states of the union and ten foreign nations. But his forte was the Navy's counterpart of service, the Army, where he found a 13-year haven only three days after his high school graduation. "I was a rebel and the Army straightened me out. I was reading through an Army school catalog and spotted a course on Signal Analyst. When I asked the recruiter what it meant he said was classified. So, that was for me and the Army lity Agency educated me." His travels took him as as Taiwan, The Philippines, Japan, Midway Island, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Europe, Canada and into many of the military forts in the United States.

Richard Earl Johnson is a native of Omaha where he graduated in 1961 from South High School. In one of his three tours of duty that brought him to Ft. Devens he met his wife, Joan C. Ellison of Belmont. "I had dated her lest friend and my Army pal was dating Joan. Fortunately for me. we later exchanged dates. We were married in 1969 and we are the parents of Richard A., 17, and Cheryl A., 15." Their son is a member of Marlboro Chapter. Order of DeMolay, and Cheryl is a member of Marlboro Assembly No. 35, International Order of Rainbow for Girls. Joan is a Past Worthy Advisor of Belmont Assembly No. 31 and a member of Belmont Chapter No. 108. Order of the Eastern Star.

Raised in United Brethren Lodge of Marlboro in 1975, he was Master 1983-84 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Marlboro 24th in 1986 and 1987. He was the Grand Pursuivant to R. W. Al Rose, who was Junior Grand Warden in 1988. Bro. Johnson's Pursuivant this year is Wor. Walter A. Vickers, Past Master of United Brethren Lodge. Both are residents of Northboro. Dick is affiliated with Columbian Lodge of Boston, member of the Valley of Boston, Scottish Rite, and has been active with the Education Dept. of Grand Lodge as a Presenter and Forum Leader. He serves on the Advisory Boards of DeMolay and Rainbow in Marlboro. His hobby is collecting antique pocket watches and motor home touring. The least of his worries are tires for the motor home. He is president of four tire agencies.

Dick Johnson is a prime example of what M. W. Edgar W. Darling means when he says, "They're out there, Brethren!" He has no family ties to the Craft, but his wife Joan's grandfather and two uncles are Past Masters of Pequossette Lodge of Watertown. Her father is a member of Belmont-Beaver Lodge and Mrs. Ellison is a Past Grand Conductress of the Eastern Star.

"My primary interest in Masonry is strengthening our Blue Lodges. That's where it's at and that's where we are weakening in the Fraternity. Strong Blue Lodges mean a strong Craft and the Collateral bodies will then prosper and proliferate. It's time to go back to the basics." His task is to prepare a curriculum for next fall when the Grand Master will conduct educational meetings for the present and future District Deputy Grand Masters. Credit the U.S. Army for taking a young man who considered high school as boring and developing him into an educator. But also credit Freemasonry for giving our Deputy Grand Master a new opportunity to serve.

SPEECHES

AT FEAST OF ST. JOHN, DECEMBER 1989

From Proceedings, Page 1989-221:

Most Worshipful Grand Master, Most Worshipful Past Grand Masters. Distinguished Guests, and my Brethren all:

It is indeed a pleasure and a most distinguished honor to have been selected to serve as your Deputy Grand Master for the ensuing year from the many qualified Brethren within the Ranks of our fraternity. I only pray that I may live up to everyone's expectations.

When the Grand Master informed me that I would do the opening speech tonight, I asked him, "Well, what do you want me to speak on?" He said, "It's your show." So I put some thoughts together about what really is the crux of the problems we face today.

Inasmuch as we are all concerned about the decline in lodge attendance and initiations, we see history has shown us that Masonry over the years has survived with pluses and minuses. When a man reaches advanced age and maturity, he does not in the normal course of events have the drive, the energy, the enthusiasm to attend his lodge on a regular basis.

Now what can we do to get these men back? All of our entertaining programs, our social events and free meals are not really the answer. I believe the answer is to instill in each man a genuine sense of purpose, a useful need, a motivation. We need the quality of programs maintained for the Brothers who respond on a regular basis.

It has often been asked, "What is wrong with Masonry?" The answer is nothing.

We only need to keep pace with time. If we don't keep pace with time, when we stop, it passes us by. Masonry will survive because it is fundamentally sound and good, but it needs our backbones to remain erect and in the forefront of life.

Tonight we have enjoyed an outstanding meal and genuine brotherhood and fellowship. For this we are thankful. But what about tomorrow and the days to follow? Will we be as inspired in those days as we are today? I think not. It is normal in the course of our lives to be caught up with our own importance and our own frantic timetables. In order that we be better Masons, we should all consciously make the effort to be more aware of the needs of those who are in need. You might say in these financially troubling times I can't spare any monies beyond my normal contributions to charity. Let us not give from ourselves, but let us give of ourselves. There is someone in every community who needs us as friends. These people could be residents of a nursing home, an acquaintance who has suffered a terrible tragedy, an elderly person who needs someone to listen or a misguided youth crying out for direction. At this stage of our lives you and I don't need the shoulder to cry on or someone to tell our troubles. We should be the ones to provide the strength these people don't have. Let them take some strength from us. We have plenty to spare. It is our duty to provide moral fiber and inner strength. To ignore the plight of those who are less fortunate than us is a terrible tragedy.

Masonic teachings continually profess charity. We must never limit the bounds of charity to strictly money. Many people are insulted by the offer of money which is the easiest form of charity to give. The stalwart benefactors are those who have the courage and conviction to give of themselves. At this moment I would ask each of you to search back in your vast storehouse of memories and recall how on one or more occasions you were forgotten by someone. One of the strongest pains in life is to be forgotten.

Do you remember the phrase "Apart from the service of God and a distressed worthy brother, the brotherhood of man knows no boundaries'"? "A worthy brother" is a phrase that encompasses all. If this is so, why then is there a need for Masonry? I'll tell you why. The allegory and symbolism, ritual and teachings, principles and tenets are but a few of the covenants that point out the whole duty of man. As Masons, we are banded together so that we may all recognize each other and realize each of us is not alone in the quest of our common denominators: faith, hope and charity.

With today's activities and the celebration of the Feast of Saint John the Evangelist, we begin to write a new chapter in the history of Freemasonry. This is the dawn of a new decade. We all recognize that some beneficial changes are necessary in order that we may proliferate and progress in our ranks and task. It is human nature to resist change due to our acclamation of repetitive comfort levels. The first statement to surface when change is discussed is, "But it's always been that way. It is our tradition." Look at the Masonic contributions to history that have changed courses which ultimately have affected the whole world. Change is good. I submit to you, my Brothers, it is our tradition to change.

Most Worshipful Grand Master, again I would like to thank you for this prestigious honor to serve you and our brethren. On behalf of your first year cadre of officers, both elected and appointed, we pledge to you our loyalty and support.

And to my Brethren, may you have a most joyous holiday season and may 1990 be the first of the best years of your lives. God bless all.

Distinguished Brothers