Brother Eric DiTommaso

 

 

  I first became curious about Freemasonry when I was a young boy, watching my grandfather attempt to memorize his lines from a cipher.  When I questioned him as to what he was reading, he casually handed me his cipher.  Thoroughly confused, I handed it back to him and allowed him to continue his work in peace.  Throughout the years my grandfather encouraged me to become a Mason, though I was not easily convinced.

At my Great Grandmother's funeral in Portland, Oregon, I was perusing the cemetery before the service started.  Throughout the entire area there were headstones, many of which were adorned with a Masonic symbol, including my Great Grandfather's headstone.  This started me thinking about what was so important that you would want it to be your final statement to future generations about your life.  I could not think of anything that I would place on my headstone, no symbol or statement that I would feel comfortable leaving as my final statement.  I therefore, became interested in Freemasonry and what it all meant.  Finally taking my grandfather's advice I joined Maritime Lodge 239.  Needless to say, when I leave this earth, I will have a Masonic emblem adorning my headstone for all the future generations to see.