California Man Discovers Ties to Influential Shriner Forrest Adair – and Walks in His Footsteps

Like many of us during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Patrick Adair had some extra time on his hands in January 2022 as he recovered from a bout of coronavirus. The real estate agent in San Jose, California, recalled a hatbox under his bed full of his late father Glenn’s possessions. So, in his boredom, he decided to open it up.

Although Patrick had the box for more than 50 years and sometimes riffled through its contents ­– a silver cigarette case and lighter, a little flag, medals from his father’s Navy service, a small Bible and flight logbooks – there was one item he never paid much attention: his father’s service diary.

“I had never read his diary before,” Patrick said. “When I first opened it, I found the handwriting very difficult to decipher, so it sat for 50 years – and so did I, never knowing my dad.” But this time was different. Considering he was “bored to tears” during his COVID recovery, the 61-year-old was determined to read the diary – and discovered much more than he ever expected.

“Pop died of cancer when I was 10, so I never got to know him as a man,” Patrick said. “Then, after all this time – a lifetime of wondering why I am the way I am. What would I be like if Pop had lived? And, after finally reading his diary, I discovered who he was and, most astoundingly, who I am. I found my why!”

Not only did the diary illustrate the “perils of war, the hypocrisy of men, and the struggles of life in war while amongst the beauty of the Pacific Islands,” Patrick said, but it touched on another topic that took him by surprise. “In a couple of entries, he recalled Forrest Adair.”

Like anyone with a question in the 21st century, Patrick took to Google to look up Forrest, his father’s uncle. At the time, he knew very little about his great-uncle, but he was driven to learn more. Through his research, Patrick discovered that Forrest was not only a Shriner but perhaps one of the most influential nobles in the early history of the fraternity, known for his “bubbles” speech.

A Speech for the Ages

In 1920, Shriners gathered at the annual Imperial Session in Oregon had an important vote on their hands: whether to establish a singular philanthropy that would be the focus of all Shriners’ charitable efforts. The proposal was an orthopedic hospital for children, and Shriner Freeland Kendrick tried to sway his fellow nobles, but many expressed doubts, leery about spending $2 per person on the cause. It seemed that the vote would fail.

That is, until Forrest Adair took the stage and gave what is now known as his famous “bubbles” speech.“ I was lying in bed yesterday morning, about four o’clock, and some poor fellow who had strayed from the rest of the band stood down there under the window for 25 minutes playing I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles,” he said.

He thought again of the song later that morning. “I wondered if there were not a deep significance in the tune that he was playing for Shriners… I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles. While we have spent money for songs and for bands, it is time for the Shriners to spend money for humanity. ... Let us get rid of all the technical objections. And if there is a Shriner in North America who objects to having paid the two dollars after he has seen the first crippled child helped, I will give him a check back for it myself.”

His speech received thunderous applause, the resolution was passed unanimously, and the groundwork was laid for what is now Shriners Children’s.

Driven to Give Back

When Patrick read the bubbles speech for the first time, he had a visceral reaction: “The hairs raised on the back of my neck, and the pride sunk deep into my soul. I have to be a better man. I have to be an Adair! I thought to myself, What have I done for humanity? How can I contribute? I was sitting on my butt Just Blowing Bubbles.” He also admired his great-uncle’s persuasive approach: “It is with the Adair flair that Great-Uncle pulled that guilt trip out of his fez,” he said.

So, he decided to follow in Forrest’s footsteps and become a Shriner. After becoming an entered apprentice at Liberty Lodge 299 in Santa Clara in November 2022, it took him less than a year to reach Master Mason status in September 2023. “Upon being raised, I had my sights set on becoming a Shriner,” he recalled, noting that the closest temple was Asiya Shrine in San Mateo. “I knew very little about the Shriners other than parades, ads on TV, and that they helped children with hospital care. Today, I feel a sense of divine intervention had taken place. So many things fell into place.”

At a 150-year celebration of the temple, he met Noble Mark McKnee, who was blown away when he learned of Patrick’s connection to Forrest. “Mark, to say the least, was very excited to be my sponsor and the first signer on my application,” he said. On May 11, 2024, Patrick became an official Shriner – and he’s loving every minute of it. “My short experience with the Shrine has been nothing but spectacular,” he said.

Carrying on a Legacy

His brothers at Asiya Shrine wanted Patrick to carry on his Great-Uncle’s legacy by giving a rendition of the famous “bubbles” speech at his initiation and at subsequent events since. “I was floored, of course. But I had never read it before,” he said. “I practiced my script, a short version, and gave a passionate rendition of great-uncle Forrest’s words. It was met with loud applause, and I was told by some that it was the best they had ever heard.”

Patrick’s speech reads as follows:

I was lying in bed yesterday morning, about 4 o’clock and the same poor fellow who had strayed from the band stood down there under the window for 25 minutes playing, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.

When I awoke, I thought of the wandering minstrel and wondered if there were not a deep significance in the tune that he was playing for Shriners, I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles. While we have spent money for songs and have spent money for bands, it’s time for the Shrine to spend money for humanity.

I want to see this thing started. Let us lay aside the soap and water and stop blowing bubbles and get down to brass tacks… Let's get rid of all the technical objections, and if there is a Shriner in North America who objects to having paid the $2 after he has seen the first crippled child helped, I will give him a check back for it myself.

Patrick couldn’t be more thrilled about the opportunity to carry on his ancestor’s legacy, and he hopes to recite the famous speech at Forrest’s own Yaarab Shriners temple in Atlanta someday. “Other than marrying my beautiful bride and having sons, giving the ‘bubbles’ speech at my great-uncle's temple in Atlanta would be the greatest accomplishment of my life,” he said.

What does Patrick think his Great-Uncle Forrest would have to say to him today about keeping his speech – and spirit – alive and well in the 21st century? “I have huge shoes to fill, and I think Pop, Grandfather, and Great-Uncle are all looking down and saying, ‘That’s my boy.’ I feel them smiling down on me, guiding me, helping me. I feel a sense of belonging and worth and that I matter and can make a difference in the lives of others.”