Imperial Sir Gary's Message

I want to congratulate our Imperial Potentate, Nick Thomas, on his election last week in Tampa. It is going to be a wonderful year with Imperial Sir Nick as our leader and I look forward to supporting him during the 2006 - 2007 Shrine year. Congratulations, my friend.

The last few weeks of my year as Imperial Potentate gave me such hope for this fraternity. I went to several Ceremonials " Abou Ben Adhem where they had 137 in the class and the average age was 43; Al Bedoo Shriners where the average age was 37; and, I went to a Joint Ceremonial in Reno with Tehran, Ben Ali and Kerak where they had 47 in the class". Congratulations to Ill. Sirs Mickey Tolliver, Laris Roberts, Hal Barker, Ross Simonet and Jim Paullo for their hard work. You are great counterparts!

I also attended Texas Shrine Association in Wichita Falls, Texas and want to congratulate all TSA officers, especially immediate Past President, Ill. Sir Dan Tompkins and his lady, Charlotte, for their hard work in making the 2006 TSA such a success. We had a great time attending one of the 100th Anniversary parties for El Hasa Shriners in Ashland, Ky. Thank you to all Nobles and Ladies of El Hasa for the fun and I especially want to thank Potentate Mike Dalton and his Lady, Betsy, for the courtesies they extended to us. Wanda and I also were able to attend a Shrine Club meeting as one of our last visits - Kazim Shriners in Roanoke, VA, where we attended the Roanoke Valley Shrine Club's Ladies Night. Thank you Ill. Sir Bob Day and Lady Carol for the wonderful three days we spent with you.

In closing, I want to thank each of you who attended the 2006 Imperial Session in Tampa. It was just what I had hoped - a great time had by all! In the years of planning, this convention would never have gotten off the ground without a huge number of people putting in hours of a great many days, without the creativity of a great many ideas, without the contents of a great many wallets (thank you to RG Awards for their help with the ladies luncheon and to the city of Tampa who sponsored many events), without the work of a great many hands and without the blessings of a great many prayers. Not only did this convention get off the ground, it soared! I am proud to be a part of a team that pulls together the way the Tampa 2006 committee did to make this effort a success. In addition, I want to speak for all in attendance at the Session and recognize Director General John Massey and thank him for his skillful, innovative leadership as he piloted the 2006 Imperial Session. Thank you, John, and also many thanks to Deputy Director General Bill Brown and to their ladies, Virginia Massey and Suzanne Brown.