The Prince Hall Family not only gathers at the same time, celebrates together but also holds their Installations together. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Texas, Heroines of Jericho, PHA Affiliated, Texas and Eastern Star, PHA Affiliated, Texas all gather in one room where a public Installation for all three is held.
Officiating at this year’s Installation again was Past Grand Master Edwin B. Cash the only living Past Grand Master the Grand Lodge has still alive. Assisting him in the Installation of the Heroines and OES was the Honorable Cleveland K. Wilson, Grand Master of Arkansas. Grand Master Curtis told us that he and GM Wilson have been friends for a long time, long since either was Grand Master and that he regards the Arkansas Grand a mentor.
The Installation was kept simple many of those being installed having served a number of years in their position. Grand Master Curtis was installed for his 7th consecutive term as Grand. The long list of duties and responsibilities were admitted in favor of some remarks from the heart. Instead of long drawn out ceremonies with a lot of hot wind, the gathering was more a love fest, a gathering of family that was close in contrast to a business gathering usually performed out of necessity.
While the installations are considered a most serious and sincere ceremony yet there is always room for some humor. The Grand Marshal assisted by electronic media master technicians will add something different each year to make sure we get a little joviality in the production. Some years it might involve some special visual effects, at other times participants specially dressed and most always some special music. This year as in most years in parading the newly installed around before all assembled, the Grand Marshall added some dance steps to be imitated that were most extraordinary.
The 2009 joint installations started at 10:00 AM on Sunday 6/28/09 and ended after the Grand Masters remarks at 11:30 AM. Everyone participating and attending left feeling satisfied and bursting with pride. It seems to me that part of the success of the Prince Hall Family of Texas is that it is a family, one that supports each other and does the fraternal thing as a team. Another plus is the continuity of leadership. The vision doesn’t change every year and the policies of the last administration are not all overturned to be replaced with new designs which in turn will be discarded by the next successor. Perhaps the whole thing works so well because those in power aren’t there for the raw power of command nor the prestige of office but rather to fulfill a mission in life. And that’s why I’m proud to be a Prince Hall Mason.
Interested in becoming a Prince Hall Mason and would appreciate the opportunity to speak with a member.