Acceptance Speech
Most Worshipful Grand Master, Distinguished Guests, and Brethren,
I am deeply honored to receive this Veteran of the Year Award tonight. But I stand before you not just as a veteran who has dedicated his post-military career to supporting our nation’s veterans, but as someone whose life was rebuilt, stone by stone, through the strength and guidance of Freemasonry.
When I returned from my combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2008 to 2010, I thought the hardest days were behind me. But soon after, my life began to unravel. In 2009, I lost my first shipmate to suicide, and in 2010, I lost another shipmate just a day after we returned home from the most mentally tough deployment you can imagine. Over the next seven years, I experienced the loss of 15 more shipmates to suicide.
By 2012, I hit my darkest hour. On March 3rd, I was ready to end my life. It was my American Legion commander who stopped me from throwing everything away. But the road to recovery was long, and Freemasonry became the cornerstone of that recovery.
Up until that point, my identity had been wrapped in my service to the Navy and my deployments. But Masonry—something I had joined in 2007—taught me something deeper. The working tools of Masonry, tools that I had learned but not truly understood, were waiting to guide me.
It was the grip of my brothers that pulled me from the darkness. My dear brother, Worshipful Brother Sam Wilson, helped me realize that I didn’t need another deployment to find purpose. I needed more light. I found that light through Freemasonry, which gave me a new sense of purpose and a way to serve. My brother never left my side, picking me up when I’d stumble and helping to praise me when I succeeded. In my opinion, he is the definition of how a Mason should strive to become.
As my journey continued, I turned to the Great Architect of the Universe and asked for strength. And through the Craft, I found it. I proudly served as Worshipful Master of my lodge, learned the importance of philanthropy, and became an advocate in my community. I expanded my Masonic journey by becoming a 32° Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, learning to serve others in new ways.
When I returned to the Navy temporarily, I soon realized I was still broken. But this time, I didn’t give up. The principles of Masonry gave me the strength to fight for myself, and in July 2023, the Navy finally recognized its oversight and granted me a full military retirement. In February of this year, before my family, friends, and loved ones, my career came to an end at my retirement ceremony in Norfolk, where our Grand Master provided a letter that was read to all the Sailors in attendance as he helped celebrate the end of my career.
Today, I am honored to serve as the CEO of one of the Coast Guard’s largest military nonprofits. For the past 10 years, I have proudly advocated for veterans in our nation’s capital and beyond. And when I meet veterans in need, I guide them to Masonry, where they can find the same light that saved me.
Though I no longer live in Illinois due to my wife’s service in the Coast Guard, I continue to attend lodge wherever we move. But tonight, I must take a moment to honor the brothers who are no longer with us—those who were there for me when I needed Masonry the most:
• Worshipful Brother Harold Kniffen
• Worshipful Brother Charlie Richey
• Worshipful Brother Charlie Everett
• Worshipful Brother Buddy Badgett
• Worshipful Brother John Woolridge
• Worshipful Brother Forrest Davis
• Worshipful Brother Eli Hook
• Worshipful Brother Bob Barker
• Worshipful Brother John Tolliver
And the man who introduced me to Masonry, Worshipful Brother Carroll Newman, who showed me that the “2B1ASK1” bumper sticker on the back of his car wasn’t just a slogan—it was a lifeline.
Although they are no longer with us, their legacy lives on through the lives they touched, including mine. Their guidance and friendship helped me become the man I am today, and I carry their memory with me always.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the Masonic mentors who continue to inspire and guide me today. As always, I am eternally grateful for my dear friend and brother, Worshipful Brother Sam Wilson. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be here today without his unwavering support.
More recently, I have been blessed by my new friendship with Executive Secretary of the Valley of Southern Illinois Mark Maxwell, 33°, MSA. Even from afar, Mark has been a joy to get to know. We’ve had the most amazing conversations about Freemasonry, and he’s always eager to hear about my travels in the Craft. His support and our shared passion for Masonry have brought light and joy into my journey. So Mark, thanks for coming here tonight!
Brethren, Freemasonry taught me to live again. It gave me the tools to rebuild my life when all seemed lost. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and thank you, my brethren, for this honor.
Written by: Worshipful Brother Michael Joseph Little, 02 October 2024
I am deeply honored to receive this Veteran of the Year Award tonight. But I stand before you not just as a veteran who has dedicated his post-military career to supporting our nation’s veterans, but as someone whose life was rebuilt, stone by stone, through the strength and guidance of Freemasonry.
When I returned from my combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2008 to 2010, I thought the hardest days were behind me. But soon after, my life began to unravel. In 2009, I lost my first shipmate to suicide, and in 2010, I lost another shipmate just a day after we returned home from the most mentally tough deployment you can imagine. Over the next seven years, I experienced the loss of 15 more shipmates to suicide.
By 2012, I hit my darkest hour. On March 3rd, I was ready to end my life. It was my American Legion commander who stopped me from throwing everything away. But the road to recovery was long, and Freemasonry became the cornerstone of that recovery.
Up until that point, my identity had been wrapped in my service to the Navy and my deployments. But Masonry—something I had joined in 2007—taught me something deeper. The working tools of Masonry, tools that I had learned but not truly understood, were waiting to guide me.
It was the grip of my brothers that pulled me from the darkness. My dear brother, Worshipful Brother Sam Wilson, helped me realize that I didn’t need another deployment to find purpose. I needed more light. I found that light through Freemasonry, which gave me a new sense of purpose and a way to serve. My brother never left my side, picking me up when I’d stumble and helping to praise me when I succeeded. In my opinion, he is the definition of how a Mason should strive to become.
As my journey continued, I turned to the Great Architect of the Universe and asked for strength. And through the Craft, I found it. I proudly served as Worshipful Master of my lodge, learned the importance of philanthropy, and became an advocate in my community. I expanded my Masonic journey by becoming a 32° Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner, learning to serve others in new ways.
When I returned to the Navy temporarily, I soon realized I was still broken. But this time, I didn’t give up. The principles of Masonry gave me the strength to fight for myself, and in July 2023, the Navy finally recognized its oversight and granted me a full military retirement. In February of this year, before my family, friends, and loved ones, my career came to an end at my retirement ceremony in Norfolk, where our Grand Master provided a letter that was read to all the Sailors in attendance as he helped celebrate the end of my career.
Today, I am honored to serve as the CEO of one of the Coast Guard’s largest military nonprofits. For the past 10 years, I have proudly advocated for veterans in our nation’s capital and beyond. And when I meet veterans in need, I guide them to Masonry, where they can find the same light that saved me.
Though I no longer live in Illinois due to my wife’s service in the Coast Guard, I continue to attend lodge wherever we move. But tonight, I must take a moment to honor the brothers who are no longer with us—those who were there for me when I needed Masonry the most:
• Worshipful Brother Harold Kniffen
• Worshipful Brother Charlie Richey
• Worshipful Brother Charlie Everett
• Worshipful Brother Buddy Badgett
• Worshipful Brother John Woolridge
• Worshipful Brother Forrest Davis
• Worshipful Brother Eli Hook
• Worshipful Brother Bob Barker
• Worshipful Brother John Tolliver
And the man who introduced me to Masonry, Worshipful Brother Carroll Newman, who showed me that the “2B1ASK1” bumper sticker on the back of his car wasn’t just a slogan—it was a lifeline.
Although they are no longer with us, their legacy lives on through the lives they touched, including mine. Their guidance and friendship helped me become the man I am today, and I carry their memory with me always.
I also want to take this opportunity to recognize the Masonic mentors who continue to inspire and guide me today. As always, I am eternally grateful for my dear friend and brother, Worshipful Brother Sam Wilson. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be here today without his unwavering support.
More recently, I have been blessed by my new friendship with Executive Secretary of the Valley of Southern Illinois Mark Maxwell, 33°, MSA. Even from afar, Mark has been a joy to get to know. We’ve had the most amazing conversations about Freemasonry, and he’s always eager to hear about my travels in the Craft. His support and our shared passion for Masonry have brought light and joy into my journey. So Mark, thanks for coming here tonight!
Brethren, Freemasonry taught me to live again. It gave me the tools to rebuild my life when all seemed lost. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you, Most Worshipful Grand Master, and thank you, my brethren, for this honor.
Written by: Worshipful Brother Michael Joseph Little, 02 October 2024