The Most Important Masonic Tool?

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Mark St. Cyr

Let’s start with the usual litany of disclaimers: this doesn’t represent any Grand Lodge, Lodge, Appendant/Concordant body, Brother, Sister, cousins ____________(fill in your own here)  viewpoint except the authors.  

So now with that out of the way, let’s begin… 

I read a lot of varying viewpoints from an even greater number of  Masonic authors. You read about “the working tools” and their importance to both the personal as well as their greater application in the masonic and/or profane world. You’ll read about the importance of one tool over another or its application in unison with another et cetera.  

Many of these points I completely concur with, especially how it’s originally presented in our catechism. However, with that now said, I believe the most important masonic “tool” is rarely ever mentioned, if at all: The voting box. 

Sure, we all hear how important our duty is to fulfill one of our most honored and sacred responsibility, right before we cast. But does anyone really listen? Worse, does anyone dare vote against the grain? 

Here’s where I believe many, if not most, of our current issues, are developing from. i.e., A yes vote placed in favor when they have absolutely no clue on the who, why or anything else pertaining to a candidate. It’s all just… 

Be presented with the voting box; select the appropriate marble (i.e., in-favor); then sit back and continue the side discussion; check your social media pages, or all three simultaneously. Rinse, repeat.  

Here’s why I know the above - I’ve both observed it at every single voting matter I’ve attended, while also following much of that script myself before I knew any better. e.g., Was presented the box; selected in favor; went back to the prior discussion.  

I’ve also done the: was already in discussion; was presented the box; kept on talking, albeit at low volume; selected, and never missed a syllable.  

I did this because I observed that was how the “old guys” were doing it, and since I was a newly minted MM, I figured this was the accepted way. It wasn’t until via my own research and self-edification into such things I found, to my horror, just how much it is not. 

We read and hear complaints about just how low the bar has been set for one to become a Mason, and I freely admit to being one doing precisely that. However, what separates people like myself and the others that stand on this side of the fence, is that we are willing to both call “a spade a spade” while also voting with that other “tool” known as our own two feet. And not partaking in what should be sacrosanct acts of Masonic protocols with a “just going through the motions” attitude for enablement. 

Now, what is going to be said from this point forward is going to both tick off, as well as send a few into a bout of hives and who knows what else. However, before I start let me make this point abundantly clear… 

I am not proposing willy-nilly to disrupt or to cause mischief into any of our most important obligations concerning the Craft. 

What I am saying, is that for those that complain about the quality or many other concerning aspects of the Craft, resulting from the candidate process. Vague to no answers concerning candidates are now demanding to be questioned for the good of the Craft.  i.e., Why are they really petitioning? What are they expecting once accepted, etc., etc., etc.  

Now with that stated, let’s continue… 

There is a moment in the entire process that either allows or disallows the process to begin in the first place. And no - it is not the investigation. 

It is - the voting process. 

I’m not sure of the rules from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, heck,  let’s just say I don’t even know the rules for my own. This will allow my points to be made without the “That’s not the way it’s done!” crowd possibly having blood pressure issues. But then again, that alone might be too high of a bar, but I digress. 

So in that vein, let’s forget “the rules” for the moment and think about my overarching premise, which is… 

If you believe your Lodge is ruining itself, along with possibly weakening the fraternity as a whole by accepting candidates via the only stipulation they can fog a mirror. Then the absolute ultimate tool to stop it is - at the voting box. 

It is, by far, the single most powerful “tool” available to any  Mason committed to bringing about change, bar none. That’s why it should also be seen as something not to be toyed with in any way,  shape, manner, or form. 

So the obvious question now comes: How does one use this process without casting no votes and ruining both the process and is it being injurious to a possible good candidate but poorly presented? 

Here are my thoughts…  

Remember, I am not advocating this be done willy-nilly.  Anything concerning the voting process must be done with very deliberate and conscience forethought. To use an analogy: You’re playing with nuclear fuel and a functioning atom smasher. Bad  things happening here are not going to be something known as  “trivial.”  

How many times have we heard, “The investigation committee has returned a favorable report. Let’s vote!” Then we do, and it’s really nothing more than a going through the motions formality.  

I propose doing something different from now on, again, for those that truly understand what the current issues facing the fraternity are; are dedicated to helping in the quest to doing the right things; and have the wherewithal to both articulate their viewpoints and the fortitude to back those viewpoints with sensible, constructive actions. Regardless if they’ll now be relegated to “That guy!” status.  

Next time the investigation committee is said to return a  favorable report. I propose raising one’s hand immediately and asking… 

“What were the specific questions asked? And what were the  specific answers of response?”  

Or: “Before we vote can the committee or WM share the notes on  such with the brethren before we cast?” 

If there are no “notes.” Ask, “Why not?” And, “If there are no notes, then surely we can have the investigation committee take questions as to try and illuminate the brethren on who this man is and why he wants to join. Sounds reasonable does it not?” 

Here’s what it’ll probably raise: Eyebrows that hover over eyes filled with daggers of disdain. Like I said, this is not something for the timid. 

Yet, why is this not asked? Why is this not freely given anyway?  No, the most common thing for entry is: we sent a committee and all three concurred - he fogged the mirror. So let’s vote! 

Formalizing the investigative committee process as to have pertinent questions and notes taken on the answers given, along with the committee itself addressing open forum questioning from the brethren before the “Get the box!” order is given, I  believe, should now be a prerequisite. And if not?  (Again, this is not for the timid.)  

I believe someone needs to stand up and say, “With all due respect to the fraternity, the Lodge, and my brethren. I can not in good conscience vote to accept someone into our ranks blindly.  Therefore, I shall abstain from voting.” 

And do just that. Every. Single. Time. 

At some point, others are going to start remembering precisely why they’re voting in the first place, and you may be surprised how many others might join your stance once they do.  

At a minimum, it will open the conversation for possibly fixing the  “west gate” issue before the “horse” as they say enters the barn rather than after. 

Another stark reminder it also forces back into the spotlight is with someone (or more than just one) verbally making the arguments as to why they can not vote for such. Every time there is a call for one? 

A going through the motions process immediately gets upended into the serious business that it is. Because all it takes is just one  “No.” And no one knows who that one maybe. But what everyone will know is that the possibility for it now needs to be seriously contemplated.  

So getting those answers in the beginning now becomes just as,  if not more so, as important as getting the petition to begin with. 

Think about it. 

Mark St.Cyr 

Freemason

Star Wars and Freemasonry - 5 Things You've Never Thought Of

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

RWB:. Michael Jarzabek

Editors Note: I first was introduced to RW Jarzabek a month ago by the master mind behind Masonic Con in Attleboro Massachusetts, Bryan Simmons. Mike Jarzabek is a profound thinker and blew my mind with what he told me about the seemingly insane connections between Star Wars and Freemasonry. Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Mike and record a new episode of "Whence Came You?" podcast where we really dove into some of these ideas. That episode is a couple weeks away, when it goes up, I'll post a link in this article as well. Until then, here's a teaser... 

________________________________________

I'm not saying that George Lucas borrowed Masonic ideas, though he may have.

I'm saying that there are certain ineffable truths which speak to the human soul to which both Star Wars and Freemasonry allude. We will explore five such allusions.

Anakin, Luke, and Hiram as the Master Craftsman:

When we first meet Anakin and Luke we learn that they are both very mechanically inclined. Anakin builds C-3PO from junk parts. Luke repairs him.

When we first see the droid he is without skin. R2-D2 comments that he is naked. When he finally gets skin, it is tarnished brass. Later in the story, he receives gold skin as a gift from Padme.

The Hiram that we meet in the Bible (1 Kings 7:13-14) is the son of a widow sent to cast the bronze furnishings of the temple. In 2 Chronicles 2:13-14, he is said to be, "skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him..."

If we, like Vitruvius, interpret the temple to be representative of the human body...

Death Star as the unfinished temple:

The monad or point within a circle has always been a symbol of the creative principle.

The Death Star mirrors this although it is illustrative of the destructive principle.

How can one symbol mean two different things?

In 1 Kings 8:63 we learn that 22,000 oxen and 20,000 sheep and goats were sacrificed to dedicate the temple to the lord.

The Death Star was to designed to serve as a symbol of the strength of the Empire. It was employed to sacrifice planets in the service of maintaining order in the galaxy.

Are the unfinished temple and the unfinished Death Star two sides of the same coin?

Darth Vader as the Tragic Hero:

George Lucas has gone on record proclaiming Anakin as the hero in Star Wars. He is a hero in the tragic sense. He earns redemption through sacrificing himself for his son.

Where is the parallel to Freemasonry? Preston included many literary allusions in the lectures. Among these is a reference to Hamlet's famous soliloquy. Hamlet is one of the best known tragic heroes in literature.

"To be or not to be..."

Broken Column:

In Freemasonry we see the broken column as a symbol of the fragile state of our mortal coil.

In Star Wars we see this symbol in the use of the bacta tank. Both Darth Vader and Luke are seen broken and floating in the healing fluid.

Is this a symbol of our humanity?

Hero's Journey:

George Lucas was influenced heavily by the work of Joseph Campbell who is the author of a book called, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". After reading this book Lucas intentionally structured Star Wars as a monomyth or hero's journey. What makes Star Wars interesting is that it is hard to identify just one hero or journey. There are multiple heroes each at different points in their journey.

The same can be said for Freemasonry. Throughout the three degrees, reference after reference is made to heroes from history and literature. However, the individual lodge, better than any ritual, represents this principle as we the Masons within it are all on our own hero's journey. At different times in our Masonic career we are the neophyte, the mentor, and the Master.

Whether or not Lucas or Preston intended any of these allusions is immaterial. All that matters is that these allusions speak to us and help us to better understand the world through understanding ourselves.

"May the Force be with you."

~MJ

RWB Michael Jarzabek is a Past Master of Brigham Lodge in Ludlow, Massachusetts. He is a PDDGM of the 28th Masonic District. He currently serves as Chairman of the Lodges of Instruction Committee for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts.

A West Coast Raising

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert Johnson 32° 

Bro. Lewis was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason on July 9. Pictured above are the officers,
members and visitors with Bro. Lewis.

      It was a big secret, not to the world, but for just one person. In this age of Facebook, checking in at locations, and sharing photographs, I couldn't do any of these things because if I had the person I was trying to surprise may have seen any of the updates. This was really hard for me, I'm a digital guy, I embrace the ability to share what I'm doing with my friends, brothers and family.

      So there I was flying at 36,041 feet, writing this blog entry. The reason for the flight and the surprise? Well, a good friends of mine, who listens to my podcast, had become a Freemason, and he was about to get is third degree. Every Freemason knows this is a big deal. Sure the coronation of a 32nd degree AASR, or the Holy Royal Arch or even the Knight Templar degrees are big, but the Master Mason degree is THE degree. 

Worshipful Master
André D. Harrell, P.M., with Bro. Lewis.

      I had alluded at some point that I might be able to come out for his 3rd degree, but as time got closer, I was more elusive about it when he would ask. I didn't do this to be a jerk, I did it to surprise him. In today's culture, what weight does a mans word have? How important is it that friends (who are Brothers), lodge officers and members actually attend the lodge for a Brother's raising? My answer? It is of the most importance. What example do we set when we do not visit? A Master is to travel in foreign countries, work and receive those Masters wages. 

      When I started planing this trip, I hesitated about going, and for what reason? My wife, said "What would you do if you were home?". The answer was nothing unusual. You know that saying "Life begins a little outside your comfort zone."? Well, not that I was uncomfortable visiting another lodge, after all, I had done this many times, but I hadn't gone this far. This trip is kind of a personal reminder to how long the cable tow is. In the age of electronic communication, we need to reevaluate how long it is. In my case it was about 2,000 miles.

A good friend and brother of Bro. Lewis, Robert Johnson
(left), Junior Warden of Waukegan Lodge #78,
Waukegan, Illinois, made a surprise visit to
attend Bro. Lewis’s raising.

     Who was this Brother? Well perhaps you listened to an interview with Todd E. Creason on the Far From Centered Podcast hosted by Brother Robert P. Lewis. It was in fact Robert P. Lewis' 3rd degree. When Rob Lewis walked into the dining room at the L.A. Masonic Center I heard a familiar chuckle as he walked up behind me and greeted me.  It was a great moment. 

      Energy was so positive, the Brothers were so friendly and they made me feel like I was part of the family. I can't thank the Brothers of L.A. Lodge 42 enough, including the Worshipful Master Bro. Andre` Harrell. The night of course hit its high point when Bro. Robert Lewis was Raised. The whole lodge was proud. Afterword we all went out for a sandwich at Izzy's, a deli in Santa Monica which was 24 hours.

      The table was filled with smiles, good conversation, Masonry and good will. I reflected for a moment while siting there in front of my "Super Hamburger" on what this trip really did. It set an example for younger Brothers, and it helped me understand a great deal more about a Masters ability to travel and visit other Lodges. This trip was just amazing. I thank everyone who was involved. 

~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog.  He is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar, and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago.  Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on two books, one is of a Masonic nature.

      

Into A Place Of Darkness: A Past Master's Trip Of A Lifetime

by Midnight Freemasons contributor

SK Robert Johnson 
 

I arrived at my lodge about 5:30 in the evening. It was overcast and I was sitting in my car going over some interview notes. A homeless man came up to me and asked for some change, I obliged and after writing a few questions down, I became stumped. What was I going to ask? How was I going to get the information I needed?

I guess I should set the stage a bit. When I was initiated, passed and then raised, there were few faces the same each time, other than the officers of course. But there definitely had been a few that were there through each degree. One of them was this “Harley Davidson guy”. Always showed up in his Tebala Shriner’s coat and under that was always, and I mean always, a Harley Davidson shirt. In fact for this interview he was wearing one. He spoke rough and if you hadn’t seen the guy smile, you might think he was a drill sergeant. The truth is, this Past Master, Harley aficionado, Vietnam Veteran, and Shriner was a wealth of knowledge and experience. He taught me what I needed to know about floor work, whether I wanted to know or not!

PM Behling became a Master Mason in 2000. And the year before that he started riding his Motorcycles. He explained to me that his father told him that “It will do you good”, and the second time his dad said it, he thought he ought to do it, and he did. His father hailed from Boulevard Lodge in Chicago Illinois, and his mother is a lifelong Eastern Star. The Motorcycles came into play because “It was my midlife crisis, I couldn’t afford a Corvette, so I bought a motorcycle” he told me. I don’t think he knew how far it was going to take him at that point in time.

A year after being raised, PM Behling joined the Shrine, something he had always wanted to do since visiting his cousin in a Shriner’s hospital when he was a kid, something that never left him. I’m sure that the Tebala Shrine’s Dresser Shrine Club had something to do with it as well. In 2002 PM Behling’s father passed to the Grand Lodge on high. Behling was a JR. Warden at the time and told me “Somehow, I’ve never let that go” speaking about the fact his father never got to see him become Master of his lodge. His mother however, placed his hat on the day he became Master, something that was very special indeed.

PM Behling has had a few bikes in his time, I asked “What’s the deal with Harleys and Freemasonry?” He told me “It probably has much to do with the Shrine.” In Fact his bike right now is a Shrine bike made by Harley Davidson. The serial number has a distinctive “S” in it to denote Shriners.

Before the interview we talked about atomic bombs and World War 2. We also talked about his first degree and how the worshipful master at the time had a voice like James Earl Jones. He said “When I heard Clampit (The WM at the time) tell me the penalty of my obligation, well, I almost lost it in my pants (Laughs). I had to agree with Past Master Behling, Worshipful Brother Clampit had done the Paul Revere charge at our installations and it was intense. PM Behling then told me that after his first degree he heard nothing from the lodge all summer. He thought perhaps he did something wrong. But later he found out through his mentor, Worshipful Brother Carmen, that the lodge was dark in the summer time. He also told me that that, was the last time they were ever dark for summer (Waukegan Lodge 78, Waukegan Illinois).

PM Behling 63 years old, had planned a trip to Alaska with his friend, Mikey, a Marine of 68 years old, and if thats not cool enough, then think about doing it on a Harley Davidson.

RJ: So how long had you been thinking about making this Trip?

PMB: I think I initially planned it about 8 months in advance. At first it was a straight route, but then after looking into it, I started adding sights to see along the way and by the time I was done, we had a handful of things [to see].

RJ: What made you want to go to Alaska on your Bike? Isn't that a bit insane?

MB: Well it was the only state I hadn’t ridden in. Before that I had ridden my bike in 48 states and 8 provinces in Canada, I wasn’t going to ship my bike over to Hawaii because of the obvious expense, so when I got there I rented a bike and put 900 miles on it in 3 days. I don’t think they were happy about it. One of the cool sights I went to see was the training ground for Camp Tarawa, where we trained the Marines for Iwo Jima. Interestingly enough, that’s also where I experienced a good earthquake. We were on the 18th floor of a hotel in Honolulu. It was in 2006, and my wife and I were there before going into the time share. I was about to take a shower when I saw hangers start to sway in the closest. I looked out the window, straight down and the building was swaying about a foot in each direction. When it was over I decided to take my shower and then the second quake hit. Then we hauled all our stuff by stairway to the 3rd floor. That was a nightmare.

RJ: That's crazy, so you had been everywhere but Alaska.

PMB: Yeah a friend of mine gave me this book, called "The Milepost" which has what to expect for each mile marker on the Alaska Highway. Gas stations, motels and anything else you could imagine. That book showed the way, but from there, I altered routes to get to national parks and other cool sights along the way.

RJ: How old is that highway?

PMB: It was built in 1942. It was quite the venture, a ton of history behind it as well.

RJ: What was your main route?

PMB: Well we started in Gurnee Illinois and ended the first day in Sioux Falls South Dakota. From there we went to Sturgis, Cody, Wy, Edmonton AB, British Columbia, Yukon Territory to Fairbanks AK.

RJ: The Arctic Circle on a motorcycle...

PMB: That was the plan. When we got to Fairbanks we stopped in for some service at the local Harley dealer. I reconfirmed that the Arctic Circle was ahead, the guy said, “yeah 120 miles. But that's going to take you 8 hours each way.” The road is a mix of asphalt, rock and dirt. We thought better of the idea after hearing that, and opted not to attempt it.

RJ: How long did this trip take? How many miles was it round trip?

PMB: 28 days on the road. 9,183.8 miles. 9 of those days were spent riding just in Alaska.

RJ: So what were some of the sights?

PMB: The Black Hills, Badlands National Park, the Rockies in Northern British Columbia and Denali National Park. It was great because we found out you can get a lifetime National Parks Pass for $10.00 if you're over 62. So that was a great deal. We tried to take advantage of it. The landscape was littered with local wildlife, black bears, grizzlies, moose, deer and bison. British Columbia was particularly heavy with roadside wildlife.

RJ: The amount of wildlife sounds incredible.

PMB: It was. Like I said British Columbia was great for bear, big horn, bison and moose. At one point we saw a grizzly with two cubs just walking along. Then not long after that we spotted two black bears together, so mamma bear must have just recently let them go off on their own because they don't usually travel together. When we went through the Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage, the road was littered, and I mean littered with rows of Bald Eagles. Just hanging out. Alaska is just one giant postcard. We stopped in Wasilla and we visited a reindeer farm. I even had some reindeer sausage. It was good but a little spicy. I thought about taking a picture of it then having a friend photoshop in a red nose to mess with the grandkids. (Laughs). Somebody once told me, that up there you're at the bottom of the food chain. You gotta worry about what's hunting you.

RJ: How did you guys protect yourself from those animals? I mean, you could have been attacked right?

PMB: We had nothing. You can't bring anything up through the Canadian border as far as guns go.

RJ: How did that go over? Did you find that out when you got there? Had you brought any guns?

PMB: It was fine, I found out a long time ago what you can and can't bring into Canada. I also learned you can't be a smart ass about anything either.

RJ: Do tell...

PMB: I was coming back into the States from Canada. I pulled into Madawaska Maine. It was July 2008. The customs agent asked if I had anything to declare and I replied yeah, it's good to be back where we use gallons, miles per hour and have real money. The agent didn't look amused and asked me to pull around to the side. They checked me out pretty good.

RJ: So this wasn't the first time out of the USA on the bike?

PMB: No, I had been out several times. I do the Iron Butt Association rides.

RJ: What on Earth is that?

PMB: They are like challenge rides. When I was searched by border patrol in 08' I was coming back into the states to start the "Four Corners" ride. You travel the four corners of the states. I have also done the "Saddle Sore" 1000, which is 1000 miles in 24 hours, the "Bun Burner" 1500 which is 1500 miles in 36 hours and the "Great Lakes Challenge" which is where you drive around the Great Lakes in 100 hours or less. In fact I got this license plate cover for the bike. It has the buttons of completion on three corners.

RJ: So that leaves a fourth corner.

PMB: (Laughs) Exactly. I have been thinking about doing this for a while now, but I just don’t know, I mean I’m 63. But you know the reason I want to do it? The real reason? It really is that fourth corner. (Laughs again).The ride is called “50CC”. Which is coast to coast, Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego California in 50 hours or less. I think I can do it. But every gas stop, food stop etc. has to be meticulously documented.

RJ: So it really sounds like this isn’t a trip, but a journey.

PMB: We ran into some rough spots. There were a ton of roads under construction and up there, if it’s under construction it means dirt and loose gravel. In fact when we got to Glacier National Park, it wasn’t open. Denali was looking good but the weather was going to catch us so we avoided that one. We did get to see the Watson Lake Sign Post Forest.

RJ: Is that what it sounds like?

PMB: It is. It’s a forest made of sign posts. I don’t know when it started, but it’s awesome. People just bring signs that say where they are from, like my buddy who planted one up there that says Gurnee Illinois. When we found it Mikey and I both wrote on the sign, “Miss you Pat” (PMB’s wife) and Mikey wrote that he missed his wife, then we wrote “Thanks for the sign Joe”

RJ: Did you see one for Chicago?

PMB: No, I’m sure it’s there though. I think it would be cool if it was full of bullet holes. (Laughs)

RJ: Did you meet any Brothers along the way?

PMB: I did, there were a bunch. I wear my H.O.G. Chapter vest. On it, there are 2 patches, one for the blue lodge and another for the Shriners. People definitely recognized them. One fellow I met although not a Freemason, was a CMA...

RJ: Sorry to interupt, but what is a CMA?

PMB: Oh sorry, that’s the Christian Motorcycle Association. My wife is a member and she is actually the treasurer for the Ambassador chapter. Anyway, I met this guy and we exchanged formalities, I told him about my wife. I noticed a patch on his vest, it said “prison team”. It was comical. So then this guy finds my wifes chapter website and sends her an email to let her know he ran across me in Edmonton.

RJ: (Laughs) That's hysterical. So how are the accommodations on the Alaska Highway? I can’t imagine they’re luxurious.

PMB: Far from it. But when it comes to these kinds of trips you really have to plan ahead.

RJ: How so?

PMB: Well the stretch on the Alaska Highway is interesting. I made reservations at hotels months in advance. While we were riding we kept playing catch up and tag with these other two fellas. We got to this place called “The Air Force Lodge” and talk about amenities, this place was like barracks. Each room had a single bed, a nightstand with a lamp, community shower and community bathroom. I called it a German Youth Hostel. That’s what it felt like (Laughs). Not to mention it was run by this German guy who made you take your shoes off. Anyway, as we're cruising into the place, the two guys that we had been playing tag with were turned away and leaving. No reservations.

RJ: So they had to find somewhere else to stay then.

PMB: Exactly. We made our arrangements well in advance. We weren't going to get stuck riding at night out there. We’d probably hit that big hole in the middle of the road AKA a moose. Problem with moose is the eyes don't reflect light because they’re so tall. Yeah, they say if you're going to hit an animal try to aim for the back end, but you know what? If I knew I was going to hit a moose, I’d hit the throttle and hug the gas tank. Riding at night up there is not a great idea. There’s a story of a moose dismantling an 18 wheeler. It was crossing the bridge and the driver honks the horn. The moose didn't take kindly. He literally destroyed an 18 wheeler.

RJ: Dangerous things happen on bikes.

PMB: Yeah they do. I hit 100 miles per hour once on the interstate. I was on my way to a bike blessing in Kenosha Wisconsin. I looked down and saw the 100 and just took my hand off the throttle. I figure at that speed anything could lay it down. Hell, I’d probably stop sliding about Milwaukee.

RJ: (Laughs) So what's next Brother? Where is the next adventure?

PMB: Well, I’m not sure. That “50CC” sounds good, but I did promise my wife we’d drive up to Maine for a lobster dinner. You know it’s only five bucks a pound up there. Also I may go out to DC for Memorial Day. Of course there is the Bonneville Salt Flats, that would be a fun trip. That's where they do the land speed records. Maybe even do some volunteer work at Wendover, Utah.

Past Master Behling is an active member of Waukegan 78 and the Tebala Shrine. He is active in training young masons in proper ritual and floor work. He is indeed a just and upright Mason.

~RJ

Sir Knight Robert Johnson is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on two books, one is of a Masonic nature.