Dad and Freemasonry

One of the ceremonies in a lodge is the installation of a new set of officers. This is the famous newscaster. Walter Cronkite and dad at a public ceremony to BF Quicksall Lodge.

Masons progress through their study to various degrees. Once a mason has reached the 32nd degree he is considered a Master Mason. Masonry goes back to the masons who built buildings. Even to today masons will level a cornerstone as part of each building process.

There is an additional degree, the 33rd degree, also known as the Scottish Rite. Before going to the Philippines, dad took the Scottish Rite degree.

Disclaimer: I am not a Mason nor do I know most of what I am writing through any special authority.

The reason he took the Scottish Rite degree was to be more able to participate in Masonry in the Philippines.

During a field trip to Manila a thief ripped his masonic watch from his arm and ran. Dad went to the local police station to report the theft. There he met the chief and did the masonic recognition ritual to establish that two masons were meeting.

Dad described the theft, the thief and the watch. The chief had retrieved it and returned it before dad went back to the refinery.

There are some downsides to masonry. Dad figured that out and became inactive in masonry. He was adamant that he not have a masonic funeral. WE disposed of his masonic regalia after his death.

There is an organization associated with the masons known as DeMolay - named for Jacques DeMolay, one of the knights templar tortured by the Spanish inquisition. It is also a secret society that promotes high moral standards for its teen members. I was a DeMolay in the Frank P Decker Chapter and served as Master Councillor (head honcho) for a term in 1963. Looked good on my college applications.

I have never pursued Masonry.