3 minute read
A Masonic and Military Legacy
Cover Photo: Grandfather, William E. Crosby
by Lucius O. Crosby, 32˚, Valley of Cincinnati
The fourth child of William E. and Alice H. Crosby, I was born on November 14, 1931, in Meridian, Mississippi, and grew up in the small town of Bonita wanting to be both a Mason and a veteran—a Mason, because dad, two brothers, and a brother-in-law were Masons, and a veteran, because both brothers and brother-in-law were veterans of World War II and Korea.
In the summer of 1952, I was assigned to the 581st Maintenance Squadron of the 13th Air Force and stationed at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. A few weeks before my 21st birthday, I wrote home saying, “Dad, I don’t know what I’m supposed to ask but do you think it’s possible for me to be a Mason?”
Since I was 2,000 miles from home, I wasn’t even sure it could happen. Several months later, a man named Alfred Adrian, Senior Warden of Leonard Wood Lodge #105, came by the shop to let me know that there was a lodge on base and that the officers of that storied lodge would be happy to confer the three degrees of Masonry as a courtesy to King Solomon #333 in Meridian, Mississippi.
Lucius O. Crosby
The lodge was one of the most beautiful buildings on base as was the work done by the officers. My initiation, passing, and raising occurred in due form in the spring of 1953. There were no uniforms worn in the lodge, and having been advised of the base rules and regulations, I wondered if we were Brothers outside the lodge. Several days later, I got my answer when I saluted a major who returned my salute, followed by, “Good morning, Brother.” The major was WM Richard N. Thompson.
There are four Brothers of Leonard Wood Lodge #105 who I will always remember: WM Richard N. Thompson; SW Alfred Adrian; my mentor JW Dallas Tandy; and a giant of a man whom we all affectionately called Sgt. Bromley. These four Brothers kept this two-striper busy and out of trouble with ritual practice, filling the chairs, and outside activities. In the summer of 1954 when several of us were to return stateside, WM Adrian held a banquet in our honor inviting all Masons, their wives, family, and guests.
John E. Crosby
My dad passed away in 1960 without us ever sitting in lodge together. I made a promise that this would not happen were I to have a son interested in becoming a Mason. In May 1997, WM Mike Gigandet of Queen City Lodge #761, Clarksville, Tennessee, graciously permitted me to raise my son John. Now he and his son Tyler are members of Edenton (Ohio) Lodge #332. Today at 88, a Blue Lodge Mason for 67 years and a Scottish Rite Mason for 58 years, I can honestly say that I am proud to be a Mason. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and feel honored to have been associated with Brothers I like, trust, and respect. Most are veterans. All believe in God, love their families, are patriotic, recite the Pledge of Allegiance with feeling, help others, read their Bibles, live by The Golden Rule, and believe we are all brothers and sisters made in the image of the Supreme Architect. Most importantly, we know that whatever our position in life, we are Brothers all. I pray that I have been deserving of the honor of being a Mason and worthy of the confidence my Brothers have reposed in me.
Tyler E. Crosby
