I was pleased to read in the Hays Post the article: "Hays Masonic Lodge awards scholarships to NW Kan. students" (May 23).
As a member of the Masons, myself, I know that our fraternal organization strives to help worthy students attend Fort Hays State University plus other colleges/ technical schools in order to make our communities stronger for the future.
Many people do not realize that former U.S. Senator Bob Dole is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Russell, as well as the Hays York Rite Masonic Bodies, the Salina Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Shriners in Salina. Yes, the Shriners are a part of the Masonic-family of fraternal orders. My late dad, John William "Bill" Marples (1910-1997) grew up at Agra, Kansas, just 10 miles east of Phillipsburg (due north of Hays on U.S. Highway 183.
Back in the 1930s, an old farmer offered to pay my dad's initiation fee into the Masons. Masons do not ask prospective members to join, but the farmer knew my dad really wanted to join. Unfortunately, my dad declined the offer. He feared he couldn't pay his annual "membership dues" during "The Dirty Thirties" of The Great Depression. Fortunately, my dad finally achieved his dream and joined the Sunflower Masonic Lodge #86 in Wichita in 1945 while he was working for BOEING during WWII. He also joined the York Rite and Scottish Rite that same year, culminating with joining the Shriners in 1948.
Ironically, I am a 5th-Generation Mason and 2nd-generation Shriner. If any good man has even an inkling of wanting to join; please don't wait to be asked. You won't be solicited for membership. Freemasons derive from the ancient stonemasons who built great Cathedrals. We want ALL candidates to fill-out a membership application of their own free will and accord. I joined at age 18 and I'm now age 57. I've been a Mason 39 years and it is one of the best things I have ever done.
Again, I wish the new scholars well on their future endeavors in life.
James A. Marples, Esbon