Combined Coronation/Investiture a Huge Success!

Under the auspices of Ill. Dale I. Goehrig, 33º, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the Orient of Florida, on Saturday, November 12, 2011 The Orient of Florida held a combined Coronation and Investiture at the Tampa Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Tampa, Florida. This was the first attempt by the Orient of Florida to perform both of these important and impressive ceremonies on the same day and at the same location.

To say that the venture was a success would be an understatement. Hundreds of Scottish Rite Masons, their wives, families and guests converged on the Hyatt Hotel located in downtown Tampa, Florida; the headquarters for the days festivities.

The Coronation was conducted in an inspiring ceremony Saturday morning at the Tampa Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Eighteen Scottish Rite Masons from the State of Florida were coronated Thirty-third Degree Inspector General Honorary Masons.

In the afternoon at the same location, Thirty-eight Masters of the Royal Secret were invested with the Knight Commander Court of Honour.

That evening back at the Hyatt Hotel a banquet was held in honor of the new honorees. A huge crowd of honorees, their families and friends, guests and members of the fraternity filled the ballroom and enjoyed a delicious dinner.

In attendance at the banquet was Most Worshipful Jim Harris, Grand Master of Masons in Florida. Most Worshipful Harris was one of the honorees who was invested with the Knight Commander Court of Honor.

Donations to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida were presented to Ill. Dale I. Goehrig, 33º S.G.I.G. in the Orient of Florida totaling over thirty thousand dollars.

The keynote speaker, and honored guest of the evening was Ill. Ronald A. Seale, 33º, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The Grand Commander gave an inspiring oration that held the audience in rapt attention as he explained to each of the honorees the reason that each of them were selected to receive their honors. Not because of what any one of them has accomplished or hope to accomplish but for who they are. He explained the cohesiveness and brotherhood that exists in the Scottish Rite and encouraged the same cohesiveness and brotherhood between all the bodies of Masonry.

All in all, it was a day and night to remember and I am sure that the memories of the events will remain fresh in the minds of all who were fortunate enough to attend the ceremonies and festivities.