Brethren,

As your Deputy Grand Master, I wanted to say thank you for your continued support and friendship. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve you the members of Grand Lodge as your Deputy Grand Master, and meet so many fine Masons. Brothers, who have our fraternity in their hearts and a willingness to see their Lodges grow.

Respect for each other, make a commitment this year to put our differences aside. Let us work together towards making our Lodges and our fraternity the very best it can be. The future of our fraternity is in your hands; make it one that our grandsons and future generations will be proud of. Our fraternity is looking for a few good men who could lead us into the 21st century. Have you made that commitment to really work on membership?

I'm asking that all of us talk to those friends of ours who have that high moral character we ask of all our members. Invite them to your Lodge for dinner; let them see who we are and how we work to help our communities and charities. We, your Grand Lodge Officers continue to work hard all year long, with the Masonic Home. Come see our Masonic Home and you will be as proud as I am that our residents receive the best care available in the State.

Give to the Masonic Home when ever you can, I wish that all Masons in the State of Florida could visit our Masonic Home and then you will know why we are so proud of it.
This year I along with the other Grand Lodge Officers will be talking about the independent living program at our Masonic Home. This is great program and the future that will allow us to grow. As chairman of the Board of Trustees, I along with the long range planning committee will be putting together a five-year plan. Look for a new updated proposal this coming Grand Lodge communication.
I hope to see many of you at our District meetings and Lodges this year.

Again thank you for your friendship and all you have done, you are Grand Lodge and with out you we cannot succeed.
God Bless you all.

Fraternally,

R W Joe Fleites,
Deputy Grand Master