Episode 30. Dayton Berg (Grand Master 2023-2024)

We visit with MW Grand Master, Dayton Berg.

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Okay. We have a very special guest, one might argue the most special guest. We have with us today, most worshipful brother, Dayton Berg, our Grandmaster for the, uh, the Masons of Minnesota. Welcome, Dayton. Good morning, John. How are you? Well, I'm much better at this time than I was about two weeks ago on a Monday when, uh, I'm sitting at my desk. I need to explain to the listeners the delay in this, uh, getting posted. I was sitting at my desk in my office in Bloomington and I get a call from Dayton, uh, the Grandmaster. Says, I'm in your driveway. And I said, is it Tuesday? Nope, you said Monday. Grandmaster who drove from Rush City. to Mata Midi to be live in person on our podcast. So I was a little embarrassed. But welcome Dayton, thank you for joining us today. Thank you for inviting me. A lot of the brothers know you fairly well, but for those that, uh, haven't had a chance to get to know you personally I'd like to start and just learn a little bit about our Grandmaster. You know, where are you from? Tell us a little bit about your professional career, because I think you've got a pretty interesting one. I was born in Wallace, Idaho. My parents moved to Minnesota. So, basically, I'm a Minnesota guy. Ah. Well, that's good. I lived on Medicine Lake. Oh. I, uh, graduated from Wisehead High School, and shortly thereafter, I joined the Marine Corps. What year would this have been? Pardon? What year did you graduate from high school? Well. Okay, so you joined the Marine Corps during a very tenuous time. Yeah, I of course went through Marine basic and their advanced infantry school and Just going back to come forward if you will. Okay After infantry school, I came home on leave en route to Vietnam. I I flew out of, uh, El Toro Air Base on the 12th of December, arrived Okinawa the 14th of December. And this is in 68? Yeah. Oh wow. And the reason we missed the day is the international date line. Okay. But what was interesting, I flew right through my 19th birthday. Oh wow. Um, so we get to Vietnam, I spent, I was like 5 months in country, and a radio message comes in, and my father passed away. Oh no! it was May 17th, 1969. Wow. As long as I'm talking about my father. My father is the reason I'm in Masonry today. We went hunting in that fall and he says, I got an organization. You're not old enough to join. But I'd like you to look at, well, unfortunately we didn't talk anymore about that, but I promised them I'd, I'd take a look at it. So when I came back, I was discharged and, uh, I had to wait until I was 21. Then I joined Paul Revere Lodge and I stayed out of service four and a half years during that time, I was the second guy hired on the IDF building. I was just a general laborer at that time. But, the uh, superintendent of the job just happened to be Air Force, and I just happened to come out of Vietnam. So, I, he hired me and I worked for them for quite a while. As you know, in the 70s, construction was good at the beginning, but in the middle it kind of fizzed. So, I went back into the Marines, and they really didn't want to take me because I had a wife and a child, you know, Marines, you know, they're all common, we want you to have a family, we'll give you one, you know, but I got in and from there, they sent me to Okinawa. Back to Okinawa. Yep, back to the Pacific. And my specialty was infantry. And I stayed that many, many, many, many years. And, you know, like all service members, you go all over the world, okay? And my last duty station was Camp Pendleton. During 68 to 92, I had the pleasure of serving in Vietnam. And Desert Storm. Oh wow! I wanted to get out prior to Desert Storm and they said no you can't. So something was up. We didn't know what. Yeah, I can't imagine that there were a lot of guys that served in both Vietnam and Desert Storm. While there were some, you know, your, your 30 year guys, you know, they would fall in that category. I was in 22 and a half. And I, I had a very good career. Yeah. What rank did you achieve? Gunner. Oh, okay. And rank's only important, kind of like money, when you don't have it, right? Right. Uh, I served in positions of command, sergeant major, but I retired again, and The Marine Corps made me pretty much what I am today. And that's that tactful, caring person. Absolutely. Loving. Very, very warm. Yeah. Oh, you're more warm than you want to think that you are, Dayton. Well, maybe. I don't know. But, I got out and I didn't do anything for two years and it just, just didn't have it in me. Decompressed. Yeah, yeah. So I thought, ah, what the heck? I can go to the post office. I know I can work there. Wrong answer. That personality I was talking about didn't work. And, and, so I worked there about three years and I hung it up. And I've been retired, non employed since then. Well, good for you. And the adjustment I had to make is, my wants went away and my needs came forward. Sure. Okay? I wasn't active in the Masons the whole time, but when I got out in 1992, I dilled around and like I said, I went to the post office and I, I got to, uh, Meet Larry McCabe, and he was a member of Northeast Winslow Lewis. And, I see in his rank, and he says, oh, you're a Mason. He goes, yeah. And I says, so am I. And that's how Larry and I became friends. And, uh, he's the reason that I'm really active in Masonry. Because I hadn't been a Master before. Like I said, I wasn't active. Okay. And, he says, well, come to Northeast. We'll make you a marshal, and eventually you'll become a master. Yeah, okay, fine. I had something to do, if you will. And, uh, Northeast was a struggling lodge like many of ours are today. And, uh, we ended up merging with Winslow Lewis. Yep. And, uh, I've been a member of Northeast Winslow Lewis ever since. But here, about five years ago, I joined Cataract Lodge, and the reason being is that was my father's lodge. Oh, neat. And I was in the progressive line, and I said, you know, I owe it to my dad. That's wonderful. And so I kind of belong to two lodges, and as you know, I got appointed to the Progressive Line. But prior to that, I was a DR, an AD, and the ADDR coordinator. Yeah, you went from not being very active to being extremely active, it seems. That would be one way to put it. But, um, I learned so much in them years, you know. I've been sitting on this board since 2011. Okay. I didn't have a vote for many years, but I was there and I got to work with many grandmasters. And with that, you learn what they kind of think, how they think, and you kind of put it in the back of your mind. So if you ever become a grandmaster, you may want to pull from some of that mentoring. And uh, probably my biggest mentor is most worshipable brother, John Cook. Oh yes. Uh, him and I live up close to each other. If I'd be stepping over something or he'd say, Eh, you ought to think about this. He'd always tell me this, and I told him I was going to use it. This is a mentoring moment. When it happened, he was gnawing on me. You know what I mean? Here's one of the things that I appreciate about both you and John Cook. You know the old saying, uh, you know, our obligation to whisper wise counsel. And I really appreciate the fact that, if I'm doing something that doesn't look quite right, I just love the fact that people are willing to whisper wise counsel, because to me, feedback is a gift. And, I've done some things over the years in my role with Minnesota Masonic Charities, and, uh, I am grateful to the Daitenbergs and the John Cooks of the world that said, you might want to think about doing this and 10 times out of 10 they are right. because you're kind of blinded to your own shortcomings. But who was it that appointed you to the line? Most horrible brother, Bob Darnley. Oh, Bob did. Okay. Yep. Back in 16, I guess. Another great guy. Just love Bob. Yeah. I mean. You know, each grandmaster is different in their own way, but they all have very strong opinions about the fraternity, and that is to succeed. Well, as we know, that's not always easy task to do. And then we had COVID, that didn't help us much, but I have to say that I think masonry Not gonna explode and, and move up, but we are getting stronger and younger. I think we are. Yep, we are. I see it when I go visit. And we as past masters, older experienced masters, really have to talk to the new chemists as they're going through the degrees and let them know we care, you know, and talk to them about the paternity. Feel them out, you know, not everybody's a ritualist, we need workers too, or committee heads, and you learn that by talking to them and watching them through the years, and then allow somebody will pick them, uh, for leadership committee, mentorship, whatever, and they get their chance then, but if we don't keep them engaged in some form, They're gone, Show them we care and don't forget about 'em after third degree. Well, you know what's interesting, Dayton, I was talking to, Reed Enders being Keith Ryerson about this. And to me the way that we should be managing our membership is almost the way that at Masonic Charities we manage our donors. It's most important to. Retain the Masons that we have and pay attention to them same thing with like donors for Masonic Charities. Once they've given, there's a reason that they gave and it's much easier to get a person to, uh, make another gift than to make the first gift, if that makes any sense. And it's the same thing with Masonry and I, I think that what I've witnessed the last couple years. is that there has been an emphasis given to making sure that we're doing our best to make sure that the brothers are feeling like they're getting their needs met. So I think that's wonderful. I agree. We've changed our approach on a lot of this and we're going to keep changing. You know, everybody says, uh, Mason's never changed. Well, I'm here to tell you. This is a different fraternity than what I and I almost feel like at times it's just the opposite. Like, we're trying different things. I think the people that don't want to see change, don't see change. But if you're paying attention, if you're really engaged in what's going on, there's a lot of change happening. And I think that it's very positive. Um, I'm sure that, you know, I, I'd like to ask you next about your, your travels as Grandmaster because I would imagine that that car you're driving has, uh, has accumulated a few more miles this year than it has in the past. I go where I'm invited, okay? Uh, it just makes sense. They want Grand Master there. You go there and I will, I will be very first come first serve. I don't care what organization you're in. And, uh, uh, I've been to quite a few Joby's things. I've been to, well, I go to the Art Great Grant Session every year. But, I've been to Imperial Shrine. I've been out to Biennial. I'm going to, uh, Texas, Seattle, Florida, and Phoenix in February. I'm not going to be in Minnesota. Well, if you're going to pick a time of the year not to be in Minnesota, that might be it. Let's hope so. Uh, but Uh, and that should be my last, you know, outside of Minnesota travel. As you go around, and you get to talk to the newer brothers, and then you, the older brothers, you know, the disconnect is, in my opinion, okay, is the young guys are up and fire. The older brothers have done their duty as far as being officers of the lives, being on committee and they're tired. And not everybody's crazy like me and would get in the line. But when your grandmaster, you're 74 years old. Let's take a year and review, um, tell us about some of the highlights. Some of the places that you've been that are most memorable. Probably the biggest one was the Eastern Star annual banquet. Ok. I think it's most worthy grand matron, yes, of the world. Yes. Okay. She was there and she was speaking and she asked a question. Can I ask the Grandmaster a question? I knew I was dead meat right there. She said, do you belong to the Eastern Star? Matter of fact, I don't. And everybody in that audience knew I didn't belong to the Eastern Star. So, it turned out very well. You know, I could have went off on another tangent, but I didn't. And, you know, that, that's probably the most memorable because I got put on the spot. And there was no way I could not answer that question any other way than I did because it was true. Well, and the truth of the matter is, I think that, the people that Try and do too much in the fraternity. You know, the people that are trying to be active in their lodge and active in the Scottish Rite and active in the Shrine and active in Eastern Star. I don't think you can do all of that well. I think that the key to a successful fraternal Masonic career is to pick one or two and lean into those. And I think that, by joining Eastern Star and not being an active member isn't doing anybody any favors. and I'm guilty of that myself, I'm a member of Eastern Star and I, I don't attend very many Eastern Star meetings because it's just, it, I, I have to have my priorities and my number one priority at this point in time is I too, if I'm invited to a lodge, I'm going because I want the opportunity to talk about charities wherever I can. it's hard to be everything to everybody. Can't. Can't. You just can't do it. You know, my advice to anyone is, you say you're gonna do something, do it. Because, kinda like you said, cardholders are not helping that organization out. Right. We know we have some brothers that want to be Shriners. We knew it coming in. Well, that's okay. But make sure you're active in the Shrine, you know? Or the Scottish Rite, or York Rite, or whatever your, your desire is. There's nothing more discouraging than somebody telling you, Yes, I'll do it. And then when the rubber hits the road, they disappear. And I don't know if it's because they don't know what they're supposed to do, Or they just overcast themselves so much that they don't have the time. And I'm fortunate I've been retired my whole thing, you know, I have time. And, uh, you know, I know every crack in 35 E, the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and 94 going to Moorhead, you know, um, I gotta say, I've had some great, great lodge meeting. I was at the 18th degree last night, Scottish Rays. And as I was sitting there watching this degree, I went, wow, how is this tying into today's world? I don't, you Scottish, right? Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh, okay. Well you remember the backdrop of all the demons and stuff? Absolutely. Well, I, that popped up and I went, wow, where do I fit in that, that circle there? There are a lot of lessons down that trap. There are a lot of lessons in Scottish right that are awfully germane to the world we're living in today. You have that right. So yeah, they did a very nice job. And, uh, I came out of there thinking outside, oh, geez, I got to do this tomorrow for Grand Lodge or that. I actually focused on some of those ideas and thought, how can I improve myself? From what I've learned to see. Well, and, and that's the key to those degrees. if you're paying attention, there are life lessons that, uh, that can be executed immediately upon leaving those events. Um, yeah. You know, and they are, they're events. They, the, the work that goes into putting on those degrees is really quite remarkable. And I've just got a lot of, uh, respect and admiration for the people that take the time to make those degrees something special. I mean, it's. You bet. It's pretty cool.. Before we, uh, depart, I wanted to spend a couple minutes talking about what I believe to be your crowning achievement as, uh, as a Grand Master. You decided to take on this, uh, this fire suppression opportunity. And, uh, kind of stuck your neck out on the line when we purchased a hundred of these. And a couple of weeks into the, uh, into the program I was thinking, Oh my God, what are we going to do with all these fire suppression units? And as it turns out, we've blown through the hundred just about, and we ordered another 50. So tell us a little bit about that program and how lodges can participate if they haven't already. went to the conference of grand masters, it would be two years ago. I was walking around looking at the vendors. And I seen this one where they had the video of a fire flaming, throwing in, uh, this tool. So I started talking to them and the company out of Wisconsin, and then I talked to the Wisconsin Masons and, and their idea on fire suppression was, we're going to give one of these to each one of our lodge. And they're going to present it to the public. And with that idea, I said, you know what, Minnesota needs to do it too. So that's how fire suppression actually started. And then Tony and I talked about it. He says, well, if you want to do it, you can do it. Uh, okay, I'll take it on now. We put it out to the grand lodge last April. We had the fire suppression team come up, uh, talk about it, and we had two hour breakout sessions, and they were all packed. two full hours of the craft coming in and learning about it. Yep. Well, as you can guess, they've seen some videos. And they said, Oh, wow, this is great, but I'm from the show me state, especially the firemen. Uh, they couldn't believe it. Yeah. Nope. They said, we've seen a lot of, this is the best new idea type thing, but I'm not buying into it until I've seen it demonstrated. Well, Duluth up at the school, they did a demonstration and I got to tell you, the videos don't do the piece of equipment justice. It was so amazing. Yeah, that's what I've heard. Yeah. And David Saragin wrote an article on it in the email and he was one of these guys I'm not buying it till I see it. And he came back with a really strong. This is a good idea. Well, so we start. And my intent for fire suppression was out of state. Reason being is, we got some struggling lodges. They need some way to be noticed in their community. Yep, need some exposure. Yep, and lodges that haven't done anything in years hopped on this thing, which is great. It's wonderful. And, and there's a shipment about it, but I gotta tell you, you know, we, we put along all the way up until Thanksgiving, we had 49 units in the field. Fortunately, none of them have been deployed, you know, and, and after Thanksgiving, it just took off. And we have 88 in the field now. It seems like there's a A demand for for far more. Oh, yeah. I I went to the charities board here a week ago and asked them if they'd help fund another 50. And I don't know if you know it, but they're here. Oh, yeah. Yeah. And, uh, uh, not to go into business side all this, but we have a good rapport with fire suppression. They will do everything they can to help keep our costs down. And I look at this is kind of a two year program. I don't know that it would go much beyond that, as far as the enthusiasm and stuff, but, uh, the equipment, you pull the pin, throw it in. If you have an area where there's fire of 5, 300 cubic feet, this, this tool will put it out. It's really amazing. And, and they got some other things that's kind of interesting. Uh, they have a new fire, well, it's new to the United States, but it's been in Europe for a while. New fire extinguisher. Oh, they got blankets. Yep, those blankets are interesting too. Yeah, they're also very expensive. Well, you know what? It's more expensive to, uh, to renovate an entire kitchen. Oh, yeah. Because I've read that those blankets, you know, the key to those blankets is to have them in, your kitchen, because that's where most of the fires begin. grease fire or something like that. I've heard that insurance companies, uh, have been huge fans of those blankets. just because of the, the, the amount of money that it saves for renovations. You know, I mean, it's just, it's crazy. Well, all I know, Dayton, is I have a feeling that this fire suppression program is going to last for more than probably two years. And here's why. you had mentioned that none of the, the units that are in the field have been deployed. And I think obviously that's a good thing. eventually one of those units is going to save lives. And the minute that that happens is the, the, at that point in time, I think you're going to see the reality of the demand increase significantly. So, you know, I think it's Well, that, that's the hope. I mean, we got some lodges now that want to put out a field, 14 of them. I, my lodge is one of them. I know it is. And, and, uh, you know, that's great. And, uh, they want to do more. So that's where you're going to get your return. But like out state, if they don't ever deploy it, they won't have a need for another one. I'm getting a call from Bob Bay. Hang on for one second. Dayton? Yep. I got Bob Bay on the other line and Bob is with Newport Lodge and he is, uh, he's doing the Santa Claus thing for the Masonic Children's Hospital. I was planning on being there and then I remembered that I double booked with you and I couldn't cancel twice but Bob, tell us what you're doing today at the Masonic Children's Hospital. We're on the, uh, Masonic Mysteries and Histories podcast. Well, Doug, we're just leaving there right now, uh, because the situation at the hospital with the sick children are not allowing us to go into rooms anymore. Oh, no. It was kind of a drop off today, which was a little disappointing for us. We, uh, probably dropped off in the neighborhood of 5, 000 worth of toys and games and stuff. Oh, that's wonderful. And, uh, I just want to thank all the masons of Minnesota that have, uh, donated to, uh, our cause over there. The Santa Projects have been going on for roughly 19 years. Wow. Starting out with Mike Elwell and his son Jeffrey, who was a patient at that time. Yes. And, uh, that was One of these days I hope we can get back and have, uh, contact with children again and get to see the smiles on their faces. This stuff will be picked up by their parents now and wrapped up and, uh, Santa Claus will deliver them, uh, for Christmas. Well, it is a wonderful thing that you guys do, and I was afraid that that was going to be the case. Right now, um, COVID seems to be ramping up significantly everywhere, and, obviously with these, uh, children who have, immune suppression. You just, you know, better safe than sorry, but, uh, yeah, I have admired the work that you guys have done going all the way back to Mike Elwell. Grandmaster, you're on the line. Any words of, uh, encouragement or appreciation for the brothers of Newport Lodge? Oh, most definitely. I knew Mike Elwell. When he starts to think, you know, I remember when they could go into the hospital and what joy it brought to the children, you know, and, you know, he said he brought in around 5, 000 in gains. Well, that takes a lot of effort. to accumulate that amount of joy for the children and all the brothers that were involved in it in Newport and other lodges. Um, I want to thank and thank you for what you do for Minnesota Nursery. And this will not be without your dedication to the craft. Thanks, Bob. Well, thank you very much. We really appreciate it. All the support we have gotten from, Charities, uh, Order of Eastern Star and just friends of Mason in general have, uh, opened up their hearts and their wallets. We want to help. I'm just hoping someday we'll get back to being inside with the kids. In a, I, uh, Congratulate you on, almost 20 years of, making a meaningful difference at that hospital. And we're very grateful for the. You allow Masonic Charities to go along for the ride. It's very, very kind of you. We so much appreciate the assistance Minnesota Masonic Charities and other groups give us. Uh, it's just fantastic, uh, from people's doctors, uh, Our card publisher, uh, Northstar Studebaker Pub, uh, donated 500 for this. And it's just wonderful to see all these people open their hearts up for this gift. Have a Merry Christmas. Say hi to Sue. Merry Christmas to you too and all the brothers in the Minnesota. Appreciate all your support. Have a wonderful Christmas. Alright, thank you Bob. Well there was a nice surprise. Yeah, and it tied in well. It really does. It's almost like it was on, uh, it was planned. But I swear it wasn't. Let's wrap up this podcast with a, uh, uh, thank you for your efforts this year. They, uh, they've been noticed and very much appreciated. Please pass along our appreciation to your bride, because I know she's been, uh, burning the midnight oil with you on, uh, any number of these trips. And, uh, let's face it, in the land of, uh, someone being the better half, I think Judy probably qualifies in that department. I'm not arguing with that. Oh, yeah. You know, I know what to walk into and what not. But, with that, I'd like to wish the craft however they celebrate. This upcoming holiday season is very joyous and safe, and I look forward to seeing y'all in the new year. Wonderful. Thank you. Thank you, Most Worshipful. Okay. Alright, thanks, Dayton.