patrolmen who are members at the Lodge, I
wanted to be a part of this great group of guys!”
While serving with EMS as a career choice,
Puckett thrives in his involvement with the
Shriners. Requiring Masons to complete three
degrees before they can advance to a Shriner,
the steps are as follows: The first degree is
the Apprentice which includes an education
about the Mason’s history. The next degree is
Fellow Craft, which is more education. Then
Master. Puckett explains, “The degrees stem
from the original trade masons who built the
big cathedrals in Europe. The masons did not
want someone to say, ‘Oh, I know how to build
a building’—and not truly be a skilled master.’
The secretiveness of the Masons actually
developed with the true masons who did not
share their partial secrets of the geometry
with a novice.”
Just as the mastering the skill levels
was required of the early masons, so too
the degrees advance the Masons today. In
addition to the degrees, the masons’ primary
tools of the square and compass were also
implemented around the capital “G” by the
Masons. And the meaning of the “G”? The
letter “G” has two meanings with the first
being “Geometry” which was necessary in
building the archways, and secondly, but most
importantly, the capital “G” stands for God. A
Mason cannot be an atheist, and the Creed
assures, “Shriners believe in GOD and that HE
created man to serve HIS purposes, among
which is service to others in HIS name.”
Puckett shares, “We see God as the Architect
of the Universe. Without His instructions, we
wouldn’t be able to do geometry or anything
else. If you don’t believe in the Creator, then
how can you believe in geometry and all the
other matters of life?”
Once a Mason becomes a full-fledged
Master, then he can petition to become
a Shriner. “The Shriner is the fun side of
Masonry,” smiles Puckett. “When I joined the
Shrine, my wife came along with me that same
morning. This is the part about the Shriners
that my wife loves because they incorporate
both the husband and wife in fellowship. We
call the ladies ‘Lady’ followed by their name;
for instance, my wife is called, ‘Lady Edie.’”
In the serving comes the giving for both
the Masons and the Shriners. The two primary
outreaches supported by the NC Masonic
lodges include the Whitestone Senior Living
facility in Greensboro, which cares for retired
Masons, and the Masonic Home for Children
at Oxford, in Oxford, NC. Loeser informs, “Any
printed material like business cards, fish-fry
tickets and posters and such are ordered from
the Oxford Children’s Home Printing Office as
we seek to support their services.”
In addition to supporting the Oxford
Children’s home, the Roman Eagle Masonic
Lodge helps local children at the Moore
County Academy Charter School in Aberdeen
by awarding scholarships each year to
deserving students. Recognizing 4th and 5th
graders who have demonstrated academic
progress during a term, eight winners per year
receive scholarships.
Another outreach of the Roman Eagle
Masonic Lodge called Helen’s Purse is a
favorite for Puckett. He explains, “We adopt
a widow from the Whitestone retirement
home and pass around the hat and say,
‘OK, we need to help Helen; let’s put some
more money in Helen’s purse.’ We keep her
account full so that she can get her hair and
nails done or whatever she needs to do. Her
letters expressing her heartfelt thanks mean
the world!"
With the primary charity of the Shrine
Clubs being the Shriner’s Hospitals, they
have given $400-500,000 to the Shrine
Hospitals over the years. “We have a 4-star
rating because 86% of every dollar goes to
the hospitals. With twenty–two hospitals in
Canada, Mexico and the United States, the
Shriners are saving lives. Primarily, the Moore
County Shrine Club supports the Orthopedic
Hospital in Greenville, SC, and the Burn
Center in Cincinnati, OH. If you have a child
who is born with a cleft lip, clubbed feet, or
orthopedic injuries of that nature—we cover
the expenses no matter what the family can
contribute,” tells Loeser.
With three fundraisers a year, the most
successful one remains the annual fish fry. The
second fundraiser includes a newspaper that
comes out from the Oasis in Charlotte which
features personal, public interest stories
about the children who have received help.
Like the bell ringers at Christmas, the Shriners
offer the newspapers from local storefronts to
raise money. And the third fundraiser is used
to fund a specific need where letters are sent
out requesting donations for a cause.
Leading by example, Curtis Iovito the
Master of the 550 Masonic Lodge guides the
activities and fund raising efforts. Loeser
explains the process, “As Masons we can have
fundraisers, but the first two fundraisers each
year must go to charities. Period. We cannot
raise money to pad our account. For example,
the third fundraiser has to be earmarked for
an exact need. We are audited each year, and
if there are any irregularities, then we fix the
problem. There are no salaries; the Shriners
are 100% volunteer based.”
In addition to paying an annual
membership fee, the Shriners have a heart
for their widows who are invited to all of the
functions. Incorporated into the Shriner’s
Creed is the following, “We honor family.
We respect our parents, wives, and children.
We should instill in our children the tenets
of this creed and the heritage from which it
emanates.”
From the children to the widows, the
Shriners also look out for their brothers. “If
one of our guys is down on his luck, then our
Sunshine Fund helps our brother in need. We
keep our members close,” shares Loeser.
“When you’re a Shriner, you have already
identified yourself as a giver,” continues Loeser.
“The thing that stands out in my mind is that
the children who received care through the
Shrine Hospital are now becoming Masons.
They’re also becoming Shriners because the
Shrine Hospital exemplified selfless giving,
and the children, who are now adults, want to
give back.”
Puckett adds, “Probably one of the most
significant things that really hits home is
when we’re wearing our Fez, the red hat, out
in the public, people come up and thank us.
They are so appreciative about what we have
done for their loved one! The testimony of
good from others is probably the greatest gift.”
Always welcoming new members, the
Club encourages any local men who are
interested to simply call. With each lodge,
there’s normally an informational sign out
front listing the officers’ contact information.
With two meetings a month, the Masons get
together; the Shrine club meets once a month.
Just as the Moore County Shrine Club helps
locals in need, they too have needs. Loeser
informs, “At the Roman Eagle Masonic Lodge
in Aberdeen, we’re currently having problems
with our air conditioning that is over 20 years
old. Whenever we have our fish fry, close to
4,000 people eat in the Lodge’s dining room,
so we need to replace it. We found out it’s
going to cost around $15,000.”
Puckett shares a need near and dear to his
heart. “No Masonic lodge in Moore County
has an AED, Automated External Defibrillator
machine. Because the majority of our
members are 60 and older, having an AED on
site is so important. Being a retired EMT, my
passion is to help anyone who needs medical
attention. It would be fantastic to meet this
need!”
So goes the circle of giving which blesses
both the giver and receiver. From helping the
women and children to the brothers in need,
the giving continues from the lodges, to the
hospitals, the retirement centers and into the
communities of the world. Be on the lookout
for the notable ring of the Masons and the Fez
of the Shriners and celebrate their selfless
giving with a hearty thanks. And if you are
so inspired, to “Be a Mason, Ask One.” It’s as
simple as that. ☐ Follow them on Facebook
@MooreCountyShrineClub & reach out.
For more on Loeser & Puckett, see p. 6.
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Roman Eagle Masonic Lodge, Aberdeen.
Bill Loeser, President of Mo Co Shriners.
p.34 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. No. 140