SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RESEARCH LODGE
F&AM
"Friendly Fire"
Ray W. Burgess, P. G.M., Louisiana and SCRL member.
From The October 1993 Louisiana Freemason
Some time ago the guest minister at our church,
Dr. James Carter, Director - Division of Church Minister
Relations, Louisiana Baptist Convention, chose as his topic,
"Surviving Friendly Fire." As his sermon unfolded, the
more intently I listened because, whereas, Dr. Carter tuned his
words toward the church and its members, his subject matter could
be easily revised to fit the Masonic Fraternity. To avoid any
suspicion of plagiarism, I called Dr. Carter and received
permission to use some of his ideas and research material.
"Friendly fire" is when those on your
side are the ones who are shooting at you. Often times people are
wounded and killed by "friendly fire." In the Civil War
during the Battle of Chancellorsville, General
"Stonewall" Jackson was wounded and subsequently died,
when fired upon by a North Carolina regiment, a unit of
Confederate skirmishers serving as outguards. In this case
"friendly fire" cost the life of a famous general and
could have affected the outcome of the battle. Throughout the
Civil War, there are many other instances of mistaken identity,
whereby "triendly fire" caused casualties among one's
own forces.
Following the euphoria of Desert Storm, the
American public was shocked to learn how many casualties
sustained bv the American army, were the result of "friendly
fire." Thirty-five of the 145 killed and 72 of those wounded
were the result of "friendly fire." Seven MIAI tanks
and 20 Bradley fighting vehicles were lost to "friendly
fire."¼
As I pondered these tragic losses, it occurred
to me that most of the casualties we suffer, most of the wounds
we sustain, most of the hurt we feel, as individuals and as
Masons, comes from "friendly fire." Those people who
you think are on your side, by supporting you, strengthening you,
helping you, are often the ones who hurt you the most. It pains
me when I hear a brother Mason speak in derogatory terms about
another.
The relationship between the Grand Lodge and
our constituent lodges has been strained because many of our
brethren have used the Grand Lodge as the scape goat for all
their troubles. They do not accept that the Grand Lodge is the
organization which guarantees the regularity of the lodges under
its control. Without the Grand Lodge, no lodge could function as
a member of that great body of Masons throughout the world. We
owe the Grand Lodge our support and our loyalty. Remember that
the largest number of members of the Grand Lodge is made up of
the officers of our individual lodges. Let not your
"friendly fire" weaken our Grand Lodge.
Recently there was a story in the newspaper
that the Pentagon had developed so-called anti- fratricidal
devices. "Friendly fire" is really a form of
fratricidal fire: brother against brother. These devices are
designed to keep one's own troops from firing on each
other. They are electronic beacons which blink out pulses of near
infrared light which can be seen at great distances, thus
warning those on the same side not to fire.² Is it necessary for
Masons to wear an anti-fratricidal device to keep Masons from
firing at each other? I think not.
I believe if we resort to that principle which
made us great: to live a service oriented life, we can
survive "friendly fire." It is a life that is
accountable for what we say and what we do. You are accountable
to yourself, to other people, but especially to God. In spite of
the attacks from without, I believe we are our own worst enemies.
If we keep biting and devouring each other devouring each
other, we will destroy each other and our great
fraternity.
Instead, let our light so shine that all people
will know that we believe in the brotherhood of man under the
Fatherhood of God. So mote it be.
References: 1. Time, August 26, 1991, p. 20. 2. Alexandria, LA, Daily Town Talk, September 17, 1991, p. A-3