Grand Encampment of Florida IOOF

06/21/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Father’s Day

The Grand Encampment of Florida extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes to all fathers of our Order and to fathers throughout the world on this special occasion.

Today, we honor those who, through their example, dedication, and sacrifice, embody our sacred pillars of Faith, Hope, and Charity. Faith to guide with wisdom, Hope to inspire a brighter future, and Charity to offer unconditional love, compassion, and support to their families and communities.

May this day be filled with joy, gratitude, and countless blessings for every father.

Happy Father’s Day!

Faith • Hope • Charity
Grand Encampment of Florida

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

Sovereign Grand Master Tom Calabrese said this at the National War Memorial in Ottawa:

Brothers and Sisters, esteemed members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,

Today we gather in sacred solidarity at this War Memorial, a place of valor, and sacrifice. Here, we honor those gallant souls who gave their all yet many remain identified only by the valor of their actions
and the depth of their sacrifice.

As your Sovereign Grand Master, it is my privilege and profound honor to stand alongside you in this pilgrimage—a journey that symbolizes not just our commitment to the principles upon which our
Order was founded, but also our dedication to honoring those who have served, those who have fought, and those who have fallen in the defense of our freedoms.

Each wreath we lay today is a token of our respect, a symbol of our gratitude, and a reminder that, while some may remain nameless, none will ever be forgotten. They embody the spirit of solidarity,
selflessness, and love for humanity—values we hold dear within our Brotherhood.

This site challenges us to reflect on the true cost of freedom. It unites us, reminding us that behind every name, every face, there is a story—a story of dreams, hopes, and aspirations cut short by war.

When they fell, countless families felt the weight of their absence: mothers whose gray hairs came too soon, widows who learned loss in the hardest way, children who grew up clutching a faded photograph. Their sacrifice echoes in our own bonds of friendship,
love, and truth. Let us honor these heroes not only in remembrance but in our actions every day. Let their legacy inspire us to cultivate peace, understanding, and goodwill in our communities.

As we go through our lives, let us carry forward the lessons of compassion and service that these brave individuals taught us. Each of us is called to be a beacon of hope and light in an often-dark world.
Through our charitable works and commitment to uplifting those around us, we honor the Unknowns. We embody their spirit, extending the principles of our Order beyond this site into the heart of society.

As we stand at this Memorial of War, let us reaffirm our commitment to uniting as a force for good. Let us take inspiration from those who served with unconditional courage. May we strive to serve our
communities with that same spirit, ensuring that we are not just members of a fraternal organization but true brothers and sisters in service to humanity.

In closing, I ask you to reflect on the sacrifices of those we honor today. Let your hearts swell with gratitude and determination, and may the values of our Order guide you. Together, let us continue to make a difference in this world, fulfilling our mission to promote friendship, love, and truth.

Thank you, and may peace be with you all.

05/10/2026

The Heart of a Mother: A Living Testament of Virtue

The true essence of a mother is found in the quiet, steady way she builds a sanctuary for the soul. To be a mother is to be a living bridge between heaven and earth, turning abstract virtues into tangible acts of love. She does not simply speak of goodness; she breathes life into it every day, guiding her family with a strength that is as gentle as it is unbreakable.

She puts Faith into practice through her unwavering belief in our potential. Long before we recognize our own strengths, she sees them clearly. Her faith is the quiet confidence that encourages us to take our first steps and the steady hand that remains when the world doubts us. By believing in us unconditionally, she teaches us the most important lesson of all: how to believe in ourselves.

Her life is a constant exercise in Hope. In moments of shadow, a mother is the one who finds the light. She practices hope not as a wish, but as a resilient courage that refuses to give up on the future. When we face trials, she is our lighthouse, showing us that every ending is merely the seed of a new beginning. Her optimism isn't blind; it is a conscious choice to keep dreaming on our behalf until we are strong enough to dream for ourselves.

Above all, a mother is the purest definition of Charity. In her, charity is transformed into selfless devotion a love that gives without keeping score and serves without seeking reward. She practices this through the countless sacrifices that go unnoticed, the patience that never fails, and the forgiveness that is always waiting before we even think to ask. Her love is charity in its highest form: an endless gift of self that sustains the world and teaches us that the greatest joy is found in caring for one another.

To every mother who embodies these pillars: thank you for being the foundation of our lives and the light within our hearts.

05/01/2026

One of the most solemn and sacred moments in the life of an officer of our Grand Encampment is when he takes the oath, committing himself to faithfully fulfill the duties of the office to which he has been elected, assuming not only an administrative responsibility but also a moral and fraternal commitment to the Order and to all its members; in this act of investiture, the newly elected officers begin a stage of service guided by conviction and duty, and we therefore express our wishes that the Lord grant them wisdom, strength, and integrity so they may carry out their functions with honor, responsibility, and dedication, always committed to the values that sustain and give meaning to our work, represented in the three pillars of our Encampment branch: faith, hope, and charity, which must be reflected in every decision, in every action, and in the constant effort to ensure the proper functioning, unity, and growth of our Grand Encampment.