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If you are how did it affect you in your service? If you're not , what was your impression of service members who were? Did you even know that they were Masons?
Posted in these groups: 
Freemasons
Freemasons
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 15
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The largest and oldest worldwide fraternity did not allow its members to openly discuss their affiliation with it until the mid- to late 1990s, depending upon the state or national Grand Lodge. Members were free to wear a Masonic ring or lapel pin which, in turn, could stimulate a conversation, but only then was the Mason free to answer questions put to him. Presumably, one reason was to assuage the mounting "assassination" of the fraternity due to its centuries-old secrecy. Secondly, membership was in a free fall worldwide. Now, a Mason may freely ask his son, bowling pal, or boss if any would be interested in joining. Masonry is no more a cult than some Lutheran Church ladies' quilting club. The secrets it does keep are published all over the Internet, but a good Mason would not reveal them intentionally. As secrets go, however, they rank right up there with "who keeps the key to the Executive Washroom." Of course, I'm being facetious. Masonry is about good men making themselves better. Our tenets are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. We worship no one God. All men of all religions are free to join after first answering one question: In whom do you place your trust? The answer can be God, Yaweh, Buddha, Mohammed, or whomever. As such, we often refer to God as The Grand Architect of the Universe. In Open Lodge, two things are always prohibited: any discussion of politics or religion. Those topics are the private domain of the individual member. Beyond that, each local Lodge, wherever found, will be engaged in scholastic support, public service support, and community-building in the local area. Members are doctors, politicians, teachers, police, grocery managers, mechanics, truck drivers, and men of every profession in between. Good men, everyday men, the kind you live next to, worship with, work with, and have known since you were a boy.
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PO2 Edward Blumberg
From a fellow “Traveller” and a Vietnam veteran, I applaud your explanation of the craft.
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LTC Bink Romanick, some of my best friends are Masons. My first squad leader was a Mason. My experiences with the majority of people that are Masons are just normal good standing individuals, but I've met a few who join the order for the wrong reasons.
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LTC Bink Romanick
CW4 (Join to see) I have met one or two who have joined for the same wrong reasons. Enough said.
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I became a Freemason after my service. But it is interesting to note that I learned a lot about the history of the Marine Corps after becoming a Freemason. For instance, the legendary Tunn Tavern, the birthplace of the Marine Corps, doubled as a Masonic Lodge. The first U.S. Marines were Freemasons.
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I did not ask to become one until after I retired. While in the military, I felt like I had the bond, the Brotherhood, and fellowship .... But, when I retired I still wanted that and reflected back to some of the men who were Freemasons and approached a prominent person in the community ....
Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge #756, Bonaire GA
Houston Lodge #35, Perry GA
Middle Georgia Daylight Lodge #756, Bonaire GA
Houston Lodge #35, Perry GA
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LTC Bink Romanick
SSgt Terry P. that was my feeling as well, I didn't know that there were so many in the Army!
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Yes I am! And it's one of the best decisions I have made in my young life!
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I became one after about 10 years in the service. It's been a pretty good experience and have met many other traveling men over the past few years.
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If I met any during my time in they were Covert about it. Met Several since I have retired and All Wonderful Upstanding Gentlemen.
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I am, but I joined after I got out. It was sort of a "transparent" issue when I was in. I'm sure I knew some (actually one of my instructors was, and we reconnected at Lodge), but just didn't know it.
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Sgt Spencer Sikder
I had a Lodge brother who was a former Army Ranger Captain. He had a TBI from combat. His post military life was full of typical family activities. We shared many Masonic outings together. I would always gush over him being "Ranger." However a day came and his TBI caused him to fall ill. While he could have spent his last days in a VA or maybe even a military institution he spent them in the Masonic facility in Pennsylvania. The providers there were respectful and provided him a dignified passing. They didn't banish him to some basement room. The room he was in looked like a 5 star hotel. Although he wasn't able to control his bodily functions, you couldn't tell it by how well they kept him groomed. I'm very proud of how PA Masonry treated my Lodge Brother. Oh by the way, his family paid not one dime out of pocket for his care.
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