When I was writing Dad's obituary, I was reminded that, in addition to earning and keeping current his steam engineer's license, our dad was proud of being a 65-year member of the Paramuthia Lodge 25 Free and Accepted Masons and a Sir Knight of the Knights Templar.This picture was taken in our house on Woodward Avenue, so it was before 1957, but I don't know just how old Dad was here.
Admittedly, I know very little about the Masons, but it still surprises me that Peck belonged, not because of anything I know or don't know about the organization, but because he just wasn't a joiner. He was a natural-born leader, and I can't quite picture what went on in the meetings and organization that required a uniform like this. I would be grateful for any explanations the rest of you have.
Maybe it's because I'm the youngest and don't remember the young Peck as well as the rest of you, but I can't reconcile the daddy I knew with this photograph. There's some meaning there I can't get at. But I know it was a big deal to him, even though I never once remember him actually going to a meeting at all.
But in our dad's honor, I post this entry, actually enjoying the mystery of it a little.
2 comments:
Well, well. One of my recently favorite topics! Did I tell you the story of the Masonic ring magic that saved me from hassle from a neighbor when I had a crew doing some road re-paving in the mobile home park? It gave me the eebie-jeebies so bad, and I asked Mom immediately if I could have Dad's Masonic ring when he died (and I now have it). So the Masons are still alive and well as a brotherhood and if I again need to work with anyone who might belong, the ring, even around my neck, will hopefully work wonders again -- and I'll have no shame in using it!
Don tried to get Dad to tell him the secret ritual stuff, but Dad wouldn't. What did he tell you. Don? That he wouldn't tell you because it was too embarrassing, right?? ;)
My theory is that Dad's joining was about being accepted...and you have to admit that nothing they stood for was in any way a violation of Dad's beliefs. So I think it was a sort of rite of passage for him -- a passage into the world of the middle class white male.
I remember Dad in his Masonic dress so vividly-this was the uniform worn in parades. I still can see him strutting down the street in Athens with the rest of the group, all looking so proud with their swords at their sides!
And yes, I remember him always making sure he pulled out his Masonic card when he was stopped by a patrolman; which was known to happen now and then :) And, since he usually got a warning instead of a ticket, it must have worked as he planned :)
What a nice memory, Nan!
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