Having family near Gustine and area, I read The Gustine Press-Standard news article: "Gustine Odd Fellows president reflects on lodge's long history and push for new members" (June 19 issue). I quite agree with Brent Tanner, the president of the group (whose official Office within the Lodge is technically called "Noble Grand" equal to 'president’); in that the Independent Order of Odd Fellows or I.O.O.F. Lodge was founded with "the idea to help (members) to help each other..".

I agree with him. I would only add that the three-degrees (or 'steps') in the initiation ceremony in becoming a full-member of Odd Fellowship was to instill lessons in morality and "character-building,” which is incredibly needed in today's fast-paced, greedy, materialistic, and sexually-decadent world. Sadly, many young people grow-up without responsible adult role-models to teach them things such as 'good manners' and 'proper decent behavior' to survive in this world; and give their children a sense of an honorable "friendship-society,” instead of allowing them to continue running with gangs and indulging in illicit or immoral activity. Fraternal Lodges instill good guardrails of good conduct.

I, myself, am a member of the ancient, honorable and benevolent Fraternal order: the Masonic Lodge; and I later joined the Odd Fellows lodge. I am a 5th-generation Freemason and a 4th-generation Odd Fellow. Like Mr. Tanner, I have presided with the Gavel of authority as top-dog (Noble Grand) in the Odd Fellows lodge.

Also, like Mr. Tanner, my Dad was active in both the Masonic Lodge and the I.O.O.F. Odd Fellow Lodges, way back in the 1940s.

It has been 44 years since I joined the Masons; and I was fully initiated into the Odd Fellows Lodge about 31 years ago. So, I have had a long membership in each fraternal-order. Plus, with me it is deeply ingrained in me, since so many generations of my family have belonged and served the various Fraternal Orders.

I still firmly believe in fraternalism. I remember my late Dad's adage: "Where you find Fraternal lodges: You find friends.” My Dad was right. Friendship, brotherly love, relief for those in hardship or distress, educating children, and giving the honored dead a decent burial, are all worthwhile and laudable goals in today's world

Lodge-memberships give a person a true sense of "belonging.” I'm glad I joined and I'd encourage other worthy and well-recommended potential candidates to consider joining by filling out a membership application. It can't hurt to ask. I'm glad I did.

Sincerely,

James. A. Marples