Why did you become a Freemason?

From: David E. Race <Pileogreen@aol.com>
Message-ID: <bec.17017938.349d6bce@aol.com>
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:19:42 EST
Subject: Why I Joined Freemasonry
To: masonry-ask@mit.edu

Good Day Brother;

Why I joined Freemasonry,

There is no one answer to this question. I myself joined for a couple of reasons.

First my grandfather was a mason,I did not learn this until after his death. In my young eyes at the time he was a great man. He worked hard all his life but always had time for us when we came to visit and instilled in our young minds the simple yet important values of life. He taught us how to milk his jersey and then to make butter. He would wait until after the first frost then lead us to the Bee tree in his wood that only he knew the location. I could go on about him but I won't.

The next reason I became a Mason was for the brotherhood.

I moved to Mass. 15 years ago and spent so much time working I had no time for a social life. Now I find great comfort in the activities we have at our lodge as many are ones that my children can enjoy also, and may also teach them the meaning of charity. Thirdly but not lastly was to join a brotherhood of good men. It is so hard to meet good men at work or on the street. And I did meet good men, a passle of them. I am proud to be among them.

I am almost 50 now and I wish I'd had known then what I know now. I would have become a Mason 32 years ago.

Fraternally Yours
Brother David E. Race