I sought to become a Mason after, as a young adult, I discovered that there was a common element shared by a great many of the men whom I came to respect the most.  Some were professional colleagues and some were friends on a personal level. These men came from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and had varying educational, religious, and political views. However, they all shared one thing in common.

Since I was a very young man I had an interest in becoming a Mason, mainly from the influence of my Great-Grandfather who was a Mason as well as a man whom I highly respected & loved dearly. My Great-Grandfather passed away before I was old enough to ask him for a petition & I felt my only ticket to becoming a member of the fraternity was gone forever.

Daniel Walling
White Rock Lodge #347
Fidelis Lodge #1127

My best friend at that time father is a Mason and is very active in the Shrine, the way he conducted himself and when he talked about masonry, I was very impressed and interested. I was 19 when I asked him how to become a Mason; he laughed and said I just took my first step, but would have to wait a few years. So a few days after my 21st birthday I was initiated at Waco Lodge # 92.

David Melear
Born: 1969
Raised: 1991
Quanah Lodge #689