Dear Editor,
Having family near Olive Hill, I read The Carter County Times article: “Shriners Bluegrass Festival returns for 35th year” (July 8 issue). I am happy that this is such a popular event. I am a fifth-generation Freemason myself (and a second-generation Shriner).
I’m writing this Opinion-letter because I feel that much of the public are unaware that all Shriners are members of the Masonic Lodge, first.
The Masonic Fraternity exhibits core-vales of friendship and morality illustrated by symbols, as well as the goal of promoting brotherly love, relief to the distressed and downtrodden, and inculcating a spirit of truth bound by the solemn promises of the Mystic Tie of Honorable Obligations made before Almighty God and a member’s fellow fraternal Brothers in the Lodge.
However, not all Masons choose to advance to become a Shriner. I did, following in my late Dad’s footsteps. I also joined both the York Rite and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, as well as the Royal Order of Scotland, the Red Cross of Constantine, Masonic Rosicrucians, the Grotto, the National Sojourners and The Heroes of ’76. The latter group is a patriotic Honor-Guard of sorts, mainly composed of military Masons proudly displaying the Colors and the Flag of our beloved Nation at civic events. I became a life member of the Heroes of ’76 in Fort Knox, Kentucky. I’m thrilled that I am.
I congratulate the Shrine Club on making the Bluegrass Festival a grand success and thank them for their service and dedication to Freemasonry, to Shrinedom, and to the special kids in the Shrine Hospitals.
And, if there is any young man aged 18 or above, of good moral character, who believes in Almighty God and who would like to associate with other fine gentlemen of quality, I’d encourage any gentleman who feels he fits this scenario, to seriously consider asking for an application for possible membership. It can’t hurt to ask; and it might just turn out to be a blessing. I joined at age 18 and am now age 62. I’m grateful I asked to be part of this wonderful fraternal order who emulates the high standard of ethics of the craftsmen who worked for King Solomon as recorded in the Holy Bible. It was an enjoyable and enlightening experience to become a Master Mason, and later a member of both of the Masonic Rites, and later, the Mystic Shriners.
Sincerely,
James A. Marples
Longview, TX
