Freemasonry Family Style
It was a great weekend in Arlington/Crystal City, Virginia, at the Mid-Atlantic Department Conference. We had one of the largest attendances that I’ve seen in the almost 15 years I have been attending these events. Even with the challenging weather (not quite as rough as expected), we had a great time.
This week, I continue the story of my Masonic journey. As always. if it raises any questions, please feel free to email me.
Last week, I shared a bit regarding my Masonic fore bearers. This week, I bring it a little closer to home–my parents, Fritz and Sue Hebbeler, and how they demonstrated how to live and lead.
My mom grew up a farm girl in southwestern Ohio–Springfield/Cedarville area. She raised champion dairy cattle in 4-H, was a trumpet player like her grandfather, Pop Cotter, to whom you were introduced week. She was also active in Rainbow in Xenia, Ohio, where she served as Worthy Advisor and was honored as a Master of the Grand Cross of Color. In due time, she received her and joined Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron in Centerburg, Ohio, in 1966-67. My sister was four and I was five when Mom and Dad sat in the East. I can remember watching Mom work on centerpieces, cutting Styrofoam board with a heated cutting tool and the admonition “Don’t you DARE touch that!” I was little, yes, but what I remember was how much Mom did to prepare for her meetings and how important it was for her to have everything planned and all the work that needed to be done covered.
Dad wasn’t a DeMolay, but he did join the Craft in his early 20s, and was Patron beside Mom in 1966-67. In time, he served in the line and did ritual work in both Ohio and Indiana lodges, but his biggest impact while I was growing up was as a member of the Valley of Indianapolis (AASR, NMJ) as a French horn player and composer/arranger. He did a complete rewrite of the 22nd degree for chorus and orchestra, and I can remember watching him and Mom sitting at the table preparing parts and scored by hand (long before computer-generated music engraving) for hours on end. I actually had a chance to see the degree performed once in Indianapolis, and was lucky enough that Dad was in town to see it with me. I was also part of the non-speaking cast in Toledo as a candidate when it was conferred (chorus and piano only, no orchestra). When I was in college, Dad was working his way through the line in Damascus Lodge in Toledo, and I was present when the Grand Master of Ohio installed him as Worshipful Master in 1987. Three years later, he would present me for installation by the Grand Master of Missouri. From Dad, I learned about serving the Craft using the skills I have been given by God for the betterment of our fraternity, without concern for who gets the credit or what honors or jewels are bestowed.
My journey to this point has been molded by those who have been closest to me. I stand on the shoulders of great men and women who have served the Fraternity and the communities in which they have lived. I was taught the basics of being not just a man, but a Mason, from an early age, and now it is incumbent on me to build upon those lessons and set an example for those who will all too soon follow me.