Masonry Magazine April 2004 Page. 21
By
William McConnell
Past President, Mason Contractors Association of America
THIS PAST YEAR WAS VERY BUSY, AS WELL AS HISTORIC, FOR US ALL. We witnessed first-hand through the reports of imbedded journalists how a modern war is waged. We all cheered when Private Jessica Lynch was rescued in a daring raid. The American Soldier was Time magazine's "Person of the Year." We fought terrorism on its own doorstep. As a nation we got a little older, but our youthful dreams were rekindled as we dreamed of Americans traveling to Mars. We continue to work hard for a better life for our families and hope for a world without terror for our children and grandchildren.
We said goodbye to some old friends, like Bob Hope, Art Camey and Katharine Hepburn. "Friends" will soon go off the air. We watched with delight as Joe Millionaire flirted with a room full of beautiful women... we should be so lucky. Trista married Ryan. Melana dumped the average guy for the good Hooking Jason... my, how things still stay the same. Each week, "Fear Factor" makes us squirm as contestants eat things we can barely look at. Whatever happened to the good old programs, like "The Cosby Show," "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Cheers"? And I don't know, but I'm really starting to like "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."
We cheered for various animals like the Marlins, the Bears, the Cardinals, the Dolphins and the Broncos. But we will always be Patriots at heart. The unthinkable almost happened with the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox almost making it to the World Series after neither has won the Series for nearly a century.
California experienced a historic recall and put another actor in the Governor's Mansion. The economy began to pick up again, and we began to feel good about our future.
The Voice of the Mason Contractor
April 2004
Masonry 19