Today I found myself contemplating memories of my Degrees. They are perhaps odd memories, but my strongest from each Degree, and from some other notable Masonic events in my life.
I thought it might be fun, and interesting, if we were to share and discuss some of our memories here.
So what are some of the things that stand out in your memory, from your own Masonic experience?
Let’s chat about them today…
I’ll start with a few:
Before I was a Mason
I’ve talked fairly often in the past about believing that one needed to be invited to be a Freemason, and only learning otherwise when I saw one of those 2B1ask1 bumper stickers. Having seen the bumper sticker, I thought about all the people I knew who might be a Mason. I remembered an older gentleman whom I’d encountered a few times working on political campaigns. He used to wear a Masonic hat. So, I gave him a call, we met at a local bakery, and my Petition went in.
Then I didn’t hear anything for a really long time. Eventually, one night, I got a call from a fellow who I now know as VW Andre Dewald. But by then I’d temporarily transferred to Olympia for the Legislative Session, so that put everything behind by a few months. Eventually I returned home, contacted Andre, and we set up an appointment for an Investigation Committee to come interview me and my wife.
At that time in my life, I was living outside of a town with a population slightly over 100, in which the little store was also the Post Office. But, my house was well outside of town. About half way up an eight mile long Forest Service road.
I tried to give them directions. They declared that they could find it, that they didn’t need directions.
They eventually made it. A couple of hours late. Apparently they needed directions.
First
Shortly before petitioning, I was given a watch as an acknowledgement of something that I’d accomplished in my professional life. A watch that costs more than a car. I wore it to Lodge on the night of my First Degree.
At some point, I was standing in the East, facing W John Mathers, and he took out a box filled with coins, a ring or two, various things of some value that one might find on one’s person. Then he asked me to put something in the box. I remember my heart instantly sinking. I forgot for a second or two that I’d taken the watch off in the back room.
I’ve not seen another Lodge do the box of stuff bit, but it was remarkably impactful and I think should be adopted more widely.
Second
After receiving my Second Degree, I came back into the Lodge Room and VW Carry Cope greeted me at the door. He walked me around the Lodge Room, pointing out various symbolic features and explaining their meanings to me. We must have gotten half way through that lecture before I figured out that it was a lecture. I thought he was just telling me cool things about the room.
That’s a testament to just how good our then Grand Lecturer was at delivering the Work.
Third
By the time of my Third Degree, I knew all the men of the Lodge fairly well. One of my favorites was VW Karl Warren. He was quite elderly by the time I had the opportunity to get to know him, but a truly great man and a great Mason. He was also a physically small man. Thin. So, I’m walking around the Lodge Room, he grabs me and starts shaking me. He’s also talking to me, so I knew it was Karl. But what sticks out in my mind is how physically strong he was given his age and size. That dude was strong!
Mentoring
VW Dewald became my mentor through the Degrees. He was also the Lodge Secretary. Now as all of you who read Emeth know, I write a lot. And our Petitions have some open ended questions. Andre later told me that it took him a loooong time to read that Petition in Lodge.
Another fun memory is that the Lodge was looking for me to prove proficiency by delivering the Posting Lecture (Catechism). But, there was a line in the Posting Lecture that no one in the Lodge seemed to know. So that necessitated a road trip. A bunch of us piled into a couple of cars, and off we went to go see the then District Deputy, later Grand Master, Sam Roberts. He told us the line and fed us lunch.
Installation
After I moved halfway across the Jurisdiction, and was elected Worshipful Master of my new Lodge, all the members of my Home Lodge came down and did the Installation. I was installed by W (now VW) Mathers, the same man who had served as Worshipful Master for my Degrees. MW Sam Roberts came with his Officers and delivered a top notch address. Throughout my time as a Mason, when I think about the Office of Grand Master, MW Roberts is the man I see in my mind's eye.
Phone Calls
I remember sitting in my home office when the phone rang. It was now VW Dean Willard, offering me my first Masonic Office, Junior Steward of then Skykomish, now Karl Warren Lodge.
I remember sitting on the porch of an apartment I’d rented in Mexico when now MW Jim Mendoza called me, asking me to become DDGM for District 17.
I remember camping with VW Larry Foley when he encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring for election to the post of Junior Grand Warden, and I remember calling MW Roberts when we made it back to civilization who encouraged the effort.
I remember sitting on the porch of a house I’d rented in Hawaii when W Scott Govoni called me, asking me to become Master of Doric Lodge.
These things have always stuck in my memory, I think, because none of these milestones ever happened in a Lodge.
The first time I went into the East. The inner work was done by a Brother who's ritual memory work was impeccable and he delivered it with wonderful dramatic flair. The GM, DDGM and others attending who then welcomed me to the East was humbling and quite a night. But throughout my Masonic journey, it is often the quiet conversations with Brothers in moments at the side of Lodge events or outside that have often been the most meaningful and insightful.
I understand what you are saying. I've got a lot of really fond memories from when I was going through the Degrees, just my mentor and I, talking in his living room, sharing Scotch. Now that I'm more seasoned, I do a lot of mentoring of new Masons, and there really isn't much better way to truly get to know a man then sitting down and spending so much time going through things.
One of my fondest was when I was driving with Bro. Earl Banks, he was an RCAF pilot in WW2, flew Hurricanes as defence patrols and Spitfires a few times. As we drove along, when he was 94, in his Jag, I asked him what his favourite plane was. He thought a moment, looked at me, smiled, and then said "Hurricanes. They crash better." He'd crashed 4 times in his pilot career. Three during the Battle of Britain and once post-war in the Canadian arctic. They just don't make them like that anymore. He lived to be 103. A true Mason through and through.
When I had been readied for my EA degree, I knocked & was received on the 1st point... I knew not what was happening so I leaned forward which caused a slight panic amongst my conductors!
I wasn't worried either. (Except for the whole watch thing mentioned above!) I just figured that millions of men had gone through the exact same thing and lived to tell about it!
In my FC degree I was fortunate enough to receive the long form lecture... I was truly impressed by dedication that Brother Mark Williams had put into the rote work.
Ah, one of my very favorite Lodges in our Jurisdiction! The Brothers in that Lodge, and really in all the Vancouver area Lodges are doing a superb job, and I think having a lot of fun.
1st degree: later this month, it’ll be 28 years, and sure enough, the upcoming weather is what happened for the degree. It was cold, then started snowing during my EA degree. And to make matters worse, while the Lodge had the heat on, the weights on the vents came off, closing the heater vent that went upstairs. Which meant the Lodge room had no heat during the degree. Needless to say, I remember a lot of that degree, and I was quite happy when the first section was over, at least from the temperature standpoint!
But the story didn’t end there, as the Centralia Lodge contingent that attended the degree carpooled to Tenino in my Landlord’s 1991 Cadillac, which had the old-school in-set headlights. That came into play on the way home, as the snow fell so hard that it built up in the headlight wells until it blocked the headlights, and it got dimmer and dimmer until the guys couldn’t see where they were going, and they had to stop and clear the headlights to be able to continue! This snowstorm, along with others, contributed to what came up in early February as the Flood of 1996 that once again put the city of Centralia underwater. Gave me extra time to study for the next degree…
Third degree. So we had a get-together before the meeting, then all but one went upstairs, and my uncle admonished me to not react in a negative manner upstairs. I wondered what he meant, and I and a Brother from the old Occident Lodge No. 99 (now 48) were the only ones downstairs in the dining room. He was nice enough, but he didn’t speak. So I could hear the thump, thump, thump of the deacons walking upstairs, followed by muted “clap clap clap”s and some door knocks. No dialog, it was too muted. But the quietness downstairs and the admonishment had me worked up.
Then, the 3 knocks, and a door closing. Then, click – Boom. Click – boom. One step at a time, the Tyler came downstairs. (He had a cane.) One for every step. It’s time. Click – Boom. Still no word from the other Brother downstairs. Just the Click – Boom. Then it stopped, as the Tyler was now downstairs, and he came around the corner and said “we’re ready for ya!” in a jolly manner. I followed him upstairs and by the time I got into the Preparation room, I was fully wound up. I remember almost everything in that degree because of that. There was much more in that degree that I remember that could help in future MM degrees, but it’s all esoteric, so it’s not appropriate for this forum.
Another memory was a little more somber – Again, in January. This time, 2009. The Deputy of the Grand Master had called and asked to join me for lunch at the Olympic Club. We met and had lunch, where he asked me if I was willing to replace him as the Deputy for the 2009-2010 year. I told him I had to think about it, and he gave me to the end of the month.
Two days later, my Grandfather suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
Obviously, my focus changed, and fortunately, he survived it, although he never did fully recover from it, as he was in his 80’s. He passed of the complications 3 years after this incident. Nevertheless, I remember the neurosurgeon at St. Peter’s Hospital admonishing us that this situation was not age related, that it could happen to anyone at any age. That “memento mori” moment got me in gear. Carpe Diem. A couple of days later, I called up Brian and said I’ll do it. I got the formal phone call from then-RWB Gale Kenney a week or so later.
Another good memory goes back to early December of 2014 – involving Cameron himself! Calling to see if I was willing to volunteer to represent our Fraternity at the State Capitol. I remember asking him when he needs an answer, because he said, “This phone call! I need an answer before I hang up! Yes or no.” Learning the lesson from 5 years earlier, I jumped on it and said YES. It was one of the smarter decisions I made in my life.
So many good memories in my life related to this Fraternity, and the Brothers involved in it. It has definitely made me a better man.
I’d like to personally thank you for that last story – it’s hard to believe it’s been 9 years last Monday since I first stepped foot on campus on behalf of our Grand Lodge. It was a STEEP learning curve, but it was well worth it! Everyone benefitted from our efforts, and the Lodges are still utilizing the fruits of our efforts to this day.
I was very fortunate that my Grandfather lived to see my full term as the Deputy, as well as my second term as Worshipful Master of Tenino Lodge. I got to share more stories with him, and I learned more about his service in World War II before he passed. While he was not a Freemason, he had known about them when he grew up in Colorado, and he did live respected and died regretted, just like us. Some of our more senior members of Centralia Lodge remember him well.
I have tried to incorporate many of the nuances that the Brothers who conferred the Drama for my MM Degree had done, whether done intentionally or by “accident” (and it worked well). I have explained some of them in my travels, and I believe some of them are now simply part of what we now do. It’s been 28 years, so I can’t really remember them all that have now been incorporated into the Drama, but I know some have.
I was initiated in Lodge Toryglen 1561 in Glasgow Scotland and for my 3rd together with three other brethren we were placed on the ground and covered with an old shroud
This shroud had been stored somewhere that must have had all sorts of beasties , cats, dogs etc which left their mark or should I say odour.
We felt as if we were actually interred because of the stench. I have never forgotten that . It made such an impression on me.
I've seen some of our Lodges here fold up the large canvas to cover the man's body, but I've not seen the face covered. Some will also use a box, generally some lightweight thing that can be broken down. Those that do will often have some means to make it sound as if earth is being placed.
One of my Lodges had a Brother who was skilled at woodworking build an actual box, much as would be used in the outside world for its intended purpose, to hold the man. It is a cool addition to things, but is so heavy that it can only be used when there are enough younger and stronger Masons present to pull it off safely.
The first time I went into the East. The inner work was done by a Brother who's ritual memory work was impeccable and he delivered it with wonderful dramatic flair. The GM, DDGM and others attending who then welcomed me to the East was humbling and quite a night. But throughout my Masonic journey, it is often the quiet conversations with Brothers in moments at the side of Lodge events or outside that have often been the most meaningful and insightful.
I understand what you are saying. I've got a lot of really fond memories from when I was going through the Degrees, just my mentor and I, talking in his living room, sharing Scotch. Now that I'm more seasoned, I do a lot of mentoring of new Masons, and there really isn't much better way to truly get to know a man then sitting down and spending so much time going through things.
One of my fondest was when I was driving with Bro. Earl Banks, he was an RCAF pilot in WW2, flew Hurricanes as defence patrols and Spitfires a few times. As we drove along, when he was 94, in his Jag, I asked him what his favourite plane was. He thought a moment, looked at me, smiled, and then said "Hurricanes. They crash better." He'd crashed 4 times in his pilot career. Three during the Battle of Britain and once post-war in the Canadian arctic. They just don't make them like that anymore. He lived to be 103. A true Mason through and through.
What a great memory! To get to know a man like that.
I will say though, maybe my desire to fly would have left me after crash No. 1!
When I had been readied for my EA degree, I knocked & was received on the 1st point... I knew not what was happening so I leaned forward which caused a slight panic amongst my conductors!
I can see that! Especially if the sharp instrument in question was actually sharp!
It was sharp!
Did you make them feel guilty afterwards?
No. I’ve been a warrior type since puberty.
Honestly, I wasn’t afraid.
I figured that I was being welcomed into an ancient fraternity and that if we were gonna dance, then Let’s Have A Dance!
There was a small mark on my chest, though.
HAHA!
I wasn't worried either. (Except for the whole watch thing mentioned above!) I just figured that millions of men had gone through the exact same thing and lived to tell about it!
For me, that first point on the EA was on the wrong side. I'll always remember that.
Also cool was my conductor, who had known me since I was a kid, was a Pearl Harbor Survivor.
Yep, I imagine you won't forget that!
In my FC degree I was fortunate enough to receive the long form lecture... I was truly impressed by dedication that Brother Mark Williams had put into the rote work.
Truly , I was floored by that presentation!
Here in Washington, we only have one version of the FC lecture, so I'm not sure if it would be considered the long or the short.
He might mean the one where you include all the dialogue in the brackets.
This was in 1999. Not sure if it was changed since then. I had a long sojourn outside of the Craft until the last 4 years.
My Degrees were held at Mt. Hood Lodge #32 all those years ago.
Ah, one of my very favorite Lodges in our Jurisdiction! The Brothers in that Lodge, and really in all the Vancouver area Lodges are doing a superb job, and I think having a lot of fun.
I wish I could be more active, but between work and mountain life, family...
I understand that, but the time will come. Kids will grow up, things will slow down.
Here’s the classic for you:
1st degree: later this month, it’ll be 28 years, and sure enough, the upcoming weather is what happened for the degree. It was cold, then started snowing during my EA degree. And to make matters worse, while the Lodge had the heat on, the weights on the vents came off, closing the heater vent that went upstairs. Which meant the Lodge room had no heat during the degree. Needless to say, I remember a lot of that degree, and I was quite happy when the first section was over, at least from the temperature standpoint!
But the story didn’t end there, as the Centralia Lodge contingent that attended the degree carpooled to Tenino in my Landlord’s 1991 Cadillac, which had the old-school in-set headlights. That came into play on the way home, as the snow fell so hard that it built up in the headlight wells until it blocked the headlights, and it got dimmer and dimmer until the guys couldn’t see where they were going, and they had to stop and clear the headlights to be able to continue! This snowstorm, along with others, contributed to what came up in early February as the Flood of 1996 that once again put the city of Centralia underwater. Gave me extra time to study for the next degree…
Third degree. So we had a get-together before the meeting, then all but one went upstairs, and my uncle admonished me to not react in a negative manner upstairs. I wondered what he meant, and I and a Brother from the old Occident Lodge No. 99 (now 48) were the only ones downstairs in the dining room. He was nice enough, but he didn’t speak. So I could hear the thump, thump, thump of the deacons walking upstairs, followed by muted “clap clap clap”s and some door knocks. No dialog, it was too muted. But the quietness downstairs and the admonishment had me worked up.
Then, the 3 knocks, and a door closing. Then, click – Boom. Click – boom. One step at a time, the Tyler came downstairs. (He had a cane.) One for every step. It’s time. Click – Boom. Still no word from the other Brother downstairs. Just the Click – Boom. Then it stopped, as the Tyler was now downstairs, and he came around the corner and said “we’re ready for ya!” in a jolly manner. I followed him upstairs and by the time I got into the Preparation room, I was fully wound up. I remember almost everything in that degree because of that. There was much more in that degree that I remember that could help in future MM degrees, but it’s all esoteric, so it’s not appropriate for this forum.
Another memory was a little more somber – Again, in January. This time, 2009. The Deputy of the Grand Master had called and asked to join me for lunch at the Olympic Club. We met and had lunch, where he asked me if I was willing to replace him as the Deputy for the 2009-2010 year. I told him I had to think about it, and he gave me to the end of the month.
Two days later, my Grandfather suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
Obviously, my focus changed, and fortunately, he survived it, although he never did fully recover from it, as he was in his 80’s. He passed of the complications 3 years after this incident. Nevertheless, I remember the neurosurgeon at St. Peter’s Hospital admonishing us that this situation was not age related, that it could happen to anyone at any age. That “memento mori” moment got me in gear. Carpe Diem. A couple of days later, I called up Brian and said I’ll do it. I got the formal phone call from then-RWB Gale Kenney a week or so later.
Another good memory goes back to early December of 2014 – involving Cameron himself! Calling to see if I was willing to volunteer to represent our Fraternity at the State Capitol. I remember asking him when he needs an answer, because he said, “This phone call! I need an answer before I hang up! Yes or no.” Learning the lesson from 5 years earlier, I jumped on it and said YES. It was one of the smarter decisions I made in my life.
So many good memories in my life related to this Fraternity, and the Brothers involved in it. It has definitely made me a better man.
Thank you for sharing these memories with us! I only knew one of these stories, it is great to know the others as well!
I’d like to personally thank you for that last story – it’s hard to believe it’s been 9 years last Monday since I first stepped foot on campus on behalf of our Grand Lodge. It was a STEEP learning curve, but it was well worth it! Everyone benefitted from our efforts, and the Lodges are still utilizing the fruits of our efforts to this day.
I was very fortunate that my Grandfather lived to see my full term as the Deputy, as well as my second term as Worshipful Master of Tenino Lodge. I got to share more stories with him, and I learned more about his service in World War II before he passed. While he was not a Freemason, he had known about them when he grew up in Colorado, and he did live respected and died regretted, just like us. Some of our more senior members of Centralia Lodge remember him well.
I have tried to incorporate many of the nuances that the Brothers who conferred the Drama for my MM Degree had done, whether done intentionally or by “accident” (and it worked well). I have explained some of them in my travels, and I believe some of them are now simply part of what we now do. It’s been 28 years, so I can’t really remember them all that have now been incorporated into the Drama, but I know some have.
It is good when our parents and grandparents can live to see some of the major milestones of our lives!
I was initiated in Lodge Toryglen 1561 in Glasgow Scotland and for my 3rd together with three other brethren we were placed on the ground and covered with an old shroud
This shroud had been stored somewhere that must have had all sorts of beasties , cats, dogs etc which left their mark or should I say odour.
We felt as if we were actually interred because of the stench. I have never forgotten that . It made such an impression on me.
Well, that's certainly a memory that would stick!
I've seen some of our Lodges here fold up the large canvas to cover the man's body, but I've not seen the face covered. Some will also use a box, generally some lightweight thing that can be broken down. Those that do will often have some means to make it sound as if earth is being placed.
One of my Lodges had a Brother who was skilled at woodworking build an actual box, much as would be used in the outside world for its intended purpose, to hold the man. It is a cool addition to things, but is so heavy that it can only be used when there are enough younger and stronger Masons present to pull it off safely.