Perry Lodge Journal

Spring through Fall of 2020. What happened? What in the world was going on in America? So far this year has brought one thing after another. As we slowly overcome the COVID-19 Crisis and many return to work and everyday, normal life, now we come to another Crisis. Across the country protests erupted into riots, and in many places, still continue. In the midst of it all, statues, monuments, government buildings and masonic lodges and temples have been vandalized and destroyed. The issue of racism has once again sprang to the forefront of the American public. Everyone believes they have the right solution to the problem. Unfortunately, this is not an issue that will disappear over time. Racism has been a struggle in our great country for over 200 years. So what's the answer? A few weeks ago a Prince Hall brother posted a video on a topic that I would like to reiterate here. For 236 years, Mainstream Masonry and Prince Hall Freemasonry had stood as two separate members of the same fam

During World War II, my grandfather became friends with several Masons. Their behavior made my grandfather decide that he, too, wanted to be a Mason when the war was over. The WW2 generation is generally regarded as “The greatest generation”. About twenty years ago I was taken by how divided we were as a nation. I felt as though there had to be things that I could do to make my family better, to make my church better, to make my community and state better. In short, I wanted to make America great again. At the time this wasn’t a controversial phrase. I looked to what my grandfather, and men like him, did. They went to church. They went to work. They joined civic organizations that helped people. The phrase “God, Family, Country” was written in everyone’s hearts. I was doing “some” of that. I went to work. I went to church. I was praying for my community, state and nation. However, I wasn’t a part of any group or civic organization dedicated to anything greater than their immediate comm

I joined our great fraternity on August 28, 2013 at East Palestine Lodge No. 417. About 14 years earlier I had expressed interest in Freemasonry to my girlfriend (currently my wife). She said I should look into it but, as many find out, I didn’t know who to talk to. Fast forward to July 2013 I had the chance to work with WB Ryan Cresanto for the day delivering furniture. We talked about everything there was, Lodge wise. By the end of the day I had filled out a petition and had it turned back in! Before I knew it, I was on my journey to the East! I became Master of East Palestine Lodge No. 417 for the 2019 year. In the same year I was also chosen by the Scottish Rite Northern Masonic Jurisdiction to be featured in their 28 Days of Masons. This was where a different Mason from the 15 states is highlighted each day. Along with being part of the Valley of Youngstown Scottish Rite, I am also a member of the Youngstown York Rite bodies and petitioned the Al Koran Shrine/Youngstown Shrine Clu