Why did you become a Freemason?

From: "DAVID J BALISTRIERI" <GLASSES@prodigy.net>
To: <dryfoo@MIT.EDU>
Subject: Why I Joined Freemasonry
Date: Sun, 5 Dec 1999 20:47:51 -0800

Dear Bretheren:

First off I was raised Sept. 24, 1999 in Wyckoff Lodge 287, Wyckoff New Jersey.

I learned about the Masons when I was a Junior in high school and even went to a DeMolay outting with some friends who later on became Masons and members of the Eastern Star... I was not sure what it was all about but to be frank with you, I saw many of the members walking around with Masonic Jewels on and it looked, well, er weird... So I did not pursue it....

Several years later my mother of all people commented how good the Masons are and that given the chance I should in her words "get in with them". Aside from this old high school friend who I never see any more I had no idea how to go about becoming a Mason... FINALLY, several of the members of the cigar society that I belong to are brothers and they were having a cigar dinner at their Lodge.... AHHHHHH finally my big break... The bretheren answered all my questions and then some, they are JUST GREAT... My petition went through with no hitches...

Thats how it all got started. I remember the night of my initiation as an E/A, sheesh, I almost bolted from the Lodge, I WAS SCARED!!!!!

I took to Masonic ritual quite well and have aspriations of sitting in the East one day... My only regret is that I did not do this sooner...

Best and fraterally good wishes: Dave Balistrieri