James D. Cole, 33°
P.O. Box 5, Shawsville, Virginia 24162

Following the atrocities inflicted on our country September 11, 2001, I was driving past a construction site along an Interstate Highway. To my right, I saw some steel rebar being used in the construction of a concrete bridge. That material seemed particularly relevant to me in the view the recent terrorist attacks on America.

When that concrete bridge is completed, you may pound it with a hammer and chip it, but you will not bring it down. Its steel-reinforced structure is stronger than ordinary concrete. America, too, is a "steel- reinforced" society. As President Bush stated: "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America." We are strong on the outside, but we are even stronger on the inside. A blow to our nation, may crumble a small part of our society, but we will stand tall and proud.

Now that the eyes of the world are turned on us, we need to remind ourselves of our inner strengths and demonstrate that strength by uniting in support of our country. In addition to the loss of four airplanes and their passengers, we have lost a landmark building, the World Trade Center, and incurred damage to a national icon, the Pentagon. But America is still standing. We have a lot of buildings that might be knocked down, but this country is more than planes and buildings; this country is an ideal. America is a "steel-reinforced" democracy, the likes of which the world has never before seen. The steel rebar that we have inside us is made up of spirit, dedication, and determination. It is that spirit which will overcome international terrorism. It is also that spirit that overcame a bombing from an overseas enemy at Pearl Harbor 50 years ago. More importantly, it is the same spirit that is already overcoming the tragedy that we experienced on September 11. We stand today because of that internal reinforcement, a strength which is so uniquely American.

We are unique, because we allow for our own individual expressions to our Creator. Certainly, there are those among our Fraternity from every major religion. Freemasonry, while certainly not a religion, has that uniquely American ideal, which emphasizes that we must trust in a God, by whatever name we may use to call on Him.

For that reason, we in America and, particularly, we American Masons have that internal structure expressed by the red, white, and blue of the "Stars and Stripes" shown today by so many of us. It is on cars, in our windows, and in every conceivable place of respect, and it is even seen around the world. The amazing thing, to me, is that people nearly everywhere are holding it up in honor. They are not burning "Old Glory" in the manner we have been forced to endure for so long.

I want to remind all the Freemasons that 13 signers of the Constitution and 14 United States Presidents were Freemasons. If you are a Mason and read the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, you will know that there is Masonic thought in there. Also, all the Constitutions of the states of this great country reflect Masonic thought and the Masonic spirit, the characters and ideals that make up this Fraternity.

As we have done in this country for over two centuries, Freemasons will lead us as we go forward as a stronger people, as a more united people, as a people that truly remember the motto of these United States of America—"In God We Trust." Don't ever forget that! Don't ever cast your eyes down! Hold your head high with pride, because we are Americans! We, as Americans and Masons, now need to step up front and do what we have done for centuries, and that is to step forward and lead by example, as we reach out to all of those in pain, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional. This institution we call Freemasonry is based on all we teach about improving our hearts, our character, and our integrity. At the close of every meeting, we declare: "These generous principles are to extend further; every human being has a claim upon our kind offices." Thus, we are charged in our closing ceremony to "do good unto all." Let us be about our Masonic and American business!

James D. Cole is the 156th Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. He is a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Roanoke, Virginia, and his Masonic memberships include Blacksburg Royal Arch Chapter No. 65; Blacksburg Commandery No. 32; W. T. Trevillion Council No. 190; Allied Masonic Degrees; Kazim Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S.; Saint Thomas Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine; Fort Lee–Richmond Chapter No. 72, National Sojourners; and the Scottish Rite Research Society. He is a Charter Advisor for the Hanging Rock Chapter of DeMolay and has received the DeMolay's Legion of Honor (Honorary). Professionally, he is a CPA, employed as Controller for the Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. He regularly consults with various companies and non-profit organizations throughout the country on fund-raising, endowment, and management issues.