Masonic Brother denied WV Funeral
Brethren a most tragic event has happened. A brother who resided and passed in West Virginia but a member of an Ohio lodge was denied a Masonic funeral by Randy Martin. It was all done in the name of the edict passed by Greg Riley. The unnamed brother (out of respect for the family) was a well respected and accomplished mason. Irregardless of that fact, even had he been a simple member of the craft he deserved better. We have we sank to a level lower than I expected of Grand Lodge.
I am told the brother's family had a team of brethren travel from Ohio to respect his last wishes, but no West Virginia masons were allowed to participate. This barring of West Virginia participants was apparently done by order of the Grand Master of West Virginia. The Grand Lodge of Ohio would have allowed West Virginia participants, in much the same way that the edict severing relations was not reciprocated by Ohio. West Virginia masons are still quite welcome in Ohio lodges as long as they don't mind risking their membership....
Lastly, lest the fanboys of Grand Lodge point out that there was a masonic funeral held, understand that if there had been some sort of "Masonic Police" the Grand Lodge of West Virginia would not have allowed the funeral to happen here. The simple fact is that they do not have nearly as much control as they imagine. They cannot control anyone (including you) unless you let them. With the recent rulings from Judge Webster, they are starting to have it explained to them....
A Mason
November 25th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
This is a travesty.
November 29th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
At least the deceased was unaware of how his service was used as a political football; but we should always remember that a Masonic Service is one of the few occasions that we Masons show the public who and what we are. Was the good name of the fraternity bettered or diminished by this action? I think the answer is clear.
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary - Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 - Crete, Illinois
PM - Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 - Lansing, Illinois
December 1st, 2010 at 1:16 pm
The idiots are in charge of the asylum
December 1st, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Just don't get it...The brother who finished his earthly labor had an agreement with another Past Potentate that whoever died first the other would do his service....His son was a Past Master of the home lodge of the current Grandmaster Randy Martin....All of this to protect what? Deny your friends dad a brotherly promise made years ago of a masonic funeral. It is something to behold brethren, this "Brotherly Love" we share here.....
December 5th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
To deny a Brother a Masonic Service is unmasonic conduct pure and simple!
January 20th, 2011 at 7:34 pm
This whole event should have never happened. I know brother Frank and can attest that he is a very well respected brother all over the US and wherever else he is known. it is absolutely unmaso nic that he was treated by a would be Grand Master like he was. I say would be Grand Master because I will never acknowledge him as having ever having become one.