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come from the heart rather than from an
outside influence, the Masons do not solicit
members, rather, they have to be asked—If
you know one, ask one; it’s as simple as that.
After an application process is completed and
membership is granted, so begins the journey
of moving through the levels of growth. Once
a member reaches the title of Master Mason,
then he may choose to become a Shriner, if he
so desires. In bringing the global organization
local, Mr. Bill Loeser, President, and Mr. David
Puckett, Vice President, of the Moore County
Shrine Club join the conversation to share the
vision of both the Masons and Shriners.
With five Masonic lodges serving in Moore
County, the influence of the Masons in our
community is broad. In opening the dialogue
of this fraternal international organization,
Loeser and Puckett share some of the
mystique behind the lodges that crisscross our
neighborhoods. Finding encouragement in
their numbers, the men share a camaraderie
of the brotherhood as the Shriner’s Creed
states, “As brothers we offer each other
fraternal affection and respect. Together we
will support each other in adherence to this
creed, so that we and our communities will
be the better because of our fraternity and its
principles.”
The journey to become a Mason for Loeser
followed his international career as he worked
with the Department of Defense as a high-risk
safety manager which included working on
the NASA space shuttle. Upon growing up in
the Midwest farming community of Muncie,
Indiana, Loeser graduated from Ball State
University, joined the Air-force and met the
Masons upon his first assignment to Maine.
While stationed in Loring Air Force Base as
a young man, Loeser did not know anyone.
Working with his Chief Master Sergeant and
getting to know all of the buddies who hunted
and fished together, Loeser remembers, “They
were just a bunch of really cool guys with their
hearts in the right place. They were always
helping people, and I asked them, ‘How do I
get to become one of you guys?’ I filled out an
application, and they took me in. We are still
lifelong friends.”
With Loeser’s next assignment to Germany,
the first thing he did was inquire about the
local lodge. Upon getting connected, the
Masons helped him get settled into his new
surroundings. Loeser testifies of the care he
received as he grew along with the Masons. In
affirming the practices of the Shriner’s Creed
to uphold “integrity, virtue and nobility of
character. Our intentions will be honorable;
our relations will be trustworthy; our spirits
forgiving of each other.’ One Mason will never
take advantage of another,” assures Loeser. A
Mason for fifty-two years, Loeser has been a
Shriner for 33 years since he joined in 1987, in
Dayton, Ohio.
After many assignments all over the world,
Loeser and his wife Carolyn returned from
Germany to live in Greensboro. Over time,
golf kept calling them back to Moore County.
Before leaving for their last duty in Saudi
Arabia, the Loeser family bought some land
in Southern Pines in 2000, and built their
home in 2012. From loving the legendary golf
to discovering the local legacy of Carolyn’s
ancestors, the Loeser’s came home to Moore
and to the Moore County Shrine Club.
Serving as President of the Shrine Club,
Loeser shares the responsibility with David
Puckett, VP, as they send out dues’ notices
and coordinate phone messages, email blasts
and such to keep everybody informed. “With
this Coronavirus, we’ve really scaled back this
season with our normal activity,” tells Loeser.
Although they cannot gather as desired, the
Shriners make it a priority to stay connected.
Loeser continues, “When all this COVID-19
started, the first thing the Master did was
divide up our membership list and start
making calls to check on our guys. We keep
the contact going and never let anyone feel
that they are alone.”
As Loeser and Puckett work together as a
united team, Puckett remembers, “The day
I became a Mason is the day I met Loeser.”
He walked up and said, ‘Hey, my name’s
Bill Loeser. If you want to become a Shriner,
then just call me.’ I saw the fun things that
Bill was doing, and I was hooked. With the
Shriners, we get to have fun as we laugh
and joke with the kids. From the Veteran’s
Day Parade in Southern Pines to parades in
Ellerbe, Aberdeen and Pinehurst, the Shriners
participate in fourteen parades each year and
drive the San T’s, Model T cars.”
Born and raised in Moore County, Puckett
knew he wanted to become an Emergency
Medical Technician (EMT) during his high
school days. Earning his EMT degree from
Sandhills Community College, Puckett took
the state test three days after he turned
eighteen and recently retired with thirty years
in EMS service. Retiring this May of 2020,
Puckett knew he wanted to continue helping
others with the Masons and now Shriners. He
shares, “The reason I joined the Roman Eagle
Lodge in Aberdeen emanates from having
a career in Public Safety. Knowing most of
the police officers, fire fighters and highway
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Left to Right
Mr. Puckett, VP
Mr. Loeser, Pres.
p.32 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 140