Why did you become a Freemason?

Message-ID: <51577C369FFED3118C0800C00D0173E001B82D3A@rcpdemfs.rapid_city.org>
From: Peterson Cliff <Cliff.Peterson@rcgov.org>
To: "'masonry-ask@mit.edu'" <masonry-ask@mit.edu>
Subject: Why I Joined Freemasonry
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 04:16:19 -0700

I have been reading through your website and find it quite interesting and educational, as well as thought-provoking.

You ask for people to write down why they joined Masonry. Hmmmm, this is in some ways, a difficult task. It is mostly difficult because of the reasons being more relating to the inner person rather than outward.

First, let me tell you about my Masonic ties.

My father joined in 1967, just prior to going to Vietnam. Upon his return from the war, he was welcomed with the open arms of brotherly love and fraternity. I used to watch Dad getting ready for the his monthly meeting, making sure his tie was straight.

As time went by, Dad became more and more involved in the various branches of Masonry. He joined both the Scottish and York Rites and was quite active in both. Dad continued to be active in almost all areas of Masonry. He even got Mom to join Eastern Star and my sister and I each joined Job's Daughters and DeMolay.

As the years past and our involvement in our respective organizations grew, we advanced through the various offices. Dad was the Master of his Lodge, Mom was Worthy Matron, I was Master Counselor and my sister was Honored Queen. Throughout these years, I met more people than I could have ever imagined. And all of these people were honest, hard-working people with good, solid values. I learned that I had a friend in every community I went to; I simply had to look for the Lodge. Now, my Dad is a Past Grand Master; my Mom is a Past Worthy Grand Matron and my sister is Associate Grand Conductress.

I joined the Lodge in 1995. That was the year my Dad was Grand Master. Since then, I am a Past Master of our Lodge and currently hold the position of Secretary. I do the Apron Lecture, the History Lecture and play one of the ruffians in the MM Degree.

Now, the reasons I joined and enough my membership in this great fraternity are many. Throughout my years growing up, I learned that Masonry teaches many valuable lessons in life. I have learned to share and give of myself freely. To hold closely the many friendships I have made over the years.

Masonry teaches Brotherly Love, Morality, Truth, Honesty, Integrity, Fellowship. It teaches us to be better persons and to treat each other as equals. You can sit in a Lodge between a banker and a rancher and both treat you as a friend and Brother.

The Lodge is the one place I have found where there are no political, religious or monetary differences between its members. All are treated as equals. A place where difference of opinions and differences in social standings are set aside. This is a place where we can all learn how to be better persons throughout our daily life. There are no political or religious arguments. We all work for a common goal of improving ourselves with the help of each other.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the 10 years I have been a member of the Lodge and look forward for many more years to come. I encourage every man to look into joining a Lodge in his town. It just might be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

Thank you for this forum and the opportunity to make my comments.

Fraternally,
Brother Cliff Peterson