Years ago I was asked to join the National Sojurners when I was just a "Butterbar". My inquiries led me to find that the most senior (in rank) member was always the chapter president. Now I realize that it is just a social group of Masons within the military but to me it seemed that it went against the grain of Freemasonry to have people "Ranked" within the organization. In every other Masonic social group I belong to (Tall Cedars and Shrine) we are all equal no matter what our station in life. I declined to become a member of National Sojurners because of this perceived incompatability with Masonic Tenents. Was I wrong in doing so?

quote:

Originally posted by Col_Murph:
In every other Masonic social group I belong to (Tall Cedars and Shrine) we are all equal no matter what our station in life. I declined to become a member of National Sojurners because of this perceived incompatability with Masonic Tenents. Was I wrong in doing so?

In reply and with all due respect, let me elaborate. I am a member of the National Sojourners and it has been a great group to be with. I sit in a meeting with a veteran who landed on the beach at Normandy on D-Day and one who is a retired General Officer and we call eachother brother instead of Sir, General etc. I believe that the National Sojourners now accepts NCO's because it was originally only for Commissioned Officers. This might be our chapter, but I believe that policy is now national wide. You might want to check out your chapter. I don't believe your wrong at all. I have similar thoughts about not becoming a Shriner over the "War Stories," I have heard from Shriners over the years too x-rated to mention on these boards. I still do not want to join the Shriners because I believe that the "War Stories" I heard about them make that appendent body incompatable with Freemasonry. Could I be wrong? My stories came from a very popular Past Potentate who told stories whenever he was around other shriners. Is this still the way the Shriners behave? We may have similar misperceptions, but maybe things are changing for the better with Masonic appendent bodies too. Lets check it out and report our findings.

Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
TerryTCT, Past Master
Centre Lodge No. 23 F&AM
U.S. Army (Ret), Major, Field Artillery

I would like to learn a bit more about the NatSojourners. I have received some email from them, but I never pursued it. Since I never was a commissioned or warrant officer, I just guessed that I was ineligible for membership.

quote:

Originally posted by cemab4y:
I would like to learn a bit more about the NatSojourners. I have received some email from them, but I never pursued it. Since I never was a commissioned or warrant officer, I just guessed that I was ineligible for membership.

Brethren: National Sojourners, Inc., is a national fraternal organization meeting the needs of military Masons and advancing programs that promote love of country. "Serving the Cause of Patriotism."

The Purposes of National Sojourners shall be to organize Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Senior Noncommissioned Officers of the uniformed forces (past and present) of the United States, and Honorary Members who are Master Masons, into Chapters, for the promotion of good fellowship among its members, for assisting such as may be overtaken by adversity or affliction, for cultivating Masonic ideals, for supporting all patriotic aims and activities in Masonry, for developing true Patriotism and Americanism throughout the Nation, for bringing together representatives of the uniformed forces of the United States (past and present) in a united effort to further the military need of national defense, and for opposing any influence whatsoever calculated to weaken the national Security.

The membership requirements is that you must be a Master Mason and hold a current dues card. You must have served in the Armed Forces of the United States (or a country allied with the United States in time of war) as a Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer or be elected as an Honorary Member by the members of the Chapter.

“Ex Oriente lux” - “Light from the East

Website:
http://www.nationalsojourners.org/

Look up on a search engine a National Sojourners Chapter in your area. Hope this helps.
Fraternally and sincerely,
/s/
TerryTCT, Past Master
Centre Lodge No.23
National Sojourners - Ft. Harrison Chapter
Major, U.S. Army (Ret.) Field Artillery

Dear Col_Murphy,
I am a Sojourner member of Narraganset Bay Chapter #14 RI.


Pat

Dear Col. Murphy,
I am a National Sojourner Member of Narragansett Bay Chapter # 14 RI


Hon. Patrick McAuliffe
pataoh@yahoo.com

Thanks to this forum. I wan't aware of this organization and now I am a member of Fort Lee-Richmond #72!

quote:

Originally posted by mbwillis:
Thanks to this forum. I wan't aware of this organization and now I am a member of Fort Lee-Richmond #72!

Thanks and congratulations Brother. This is great news, maybe we can all meet at a national conventions sometime. Better yet, maybe sometime before that. Anyway, ask your sponsor or secretary when you can expect to receive the "Hero of 76" degree.

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Member and Hero of 76 of the Indianapolis Ft. Harrison Chapter #66 (Nat'l Sojourners)
Major, Field Artillery, U.S. Army (Ret.)
Hot Topics Moderator

As a lurker wanted to respond...

Insofar as eligible rank goes, it would seem they consider E-6 to be "of senior NCO" rank, as an E-6 is one of their national officers.

quote:

Originally posted by romain_sr:
As a lurker wanted to respond...

Insofar as eligible rank goes, it would seem they consider E-6 to be "of senior NCO" rank, as an E-6 is one of their national officers.

Only an E-6 prior to 1958. Below are the requirements for membership.

• a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer of the uniformed services of the United States,
  
• Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the uniformed services of the United States, (E5, 6
• 7 prior to 1958 - E7, 8 & 9 as of 1958),
  have served in time of war as a Commissioned Officer or Warrant Officer or the equivalent in an armed service of a nation allied with the United States, or are regularly elected to Honorary Membership.

Yes, Paducah KY....

Life Member

Member & Hero of 76 - Indianapolis / Ft. Harrison Chapter #66, Indianapolis, Indiana

Fraternally,
/s/
Terry, PM
Indiana Freemason
Kentucky Colonel
U.S. Army (Ret.) - Major, Field Artillery
Hot Topics Moderator

I would love to join and I have been asked but alas, due to my rank being SSG, I will only hold honorary membership. I wish to see this changed before I will join.

Jason,
actually once you join, honorary or full doesn't matter, the membership is the same. you can also hold office. The only real difference is how your application is submitted. E7 and above can join, but if your being asked, that means the really want to honor you. Oh I'm also being asked, and will have a brother submit my application.
Bryan

quote:

Originally posted by mechinfantry:
I would love to join and I have been asked but alas, due to my rank being SSG, I will only hold honorary membership. I wish to see this changed before I will join.

I have been a member of the National Sojourners for years and was a member of the National Committee of 33. I am also a Hero of '76. The Sojourners are an interesting group. Yes, you may hear "war stories" among individual conversations, but isn't this the case with most groups of veterans? When I first joined I spent a lot of time with a WWI Army Aviator. I also participated in many conversations about WWII, Korea, etc. I met so many wonderful Brothers who shared the same kinds of experiences. These sterling men are all members of the Craft and openly share their experiences while soliciting experiences of their Brothers involved in more contemporary operations. I know that many chapters seem to be "knife and fork clubs", but you should take into account the average age of membership. If you consider that many Freemasons are involved with careers, family, continuing education, and their Blue Lodge (hopefully), joining other appendant bodies must be a carefully considered decision. This is a good choice for military Masons. It is like any other experience; you make your own good times. If any of you attended the National Convention in Denver I may have met you. I was the project officer for that event. Let their be light.

Well, I received a call the other day and was told to make myself Available on April 24 for initiation into the Sojurners. Since I retired an E6 I was invited to join.
Bryan

I am now an Honorary member of the National Sojourners.

Sojourners Toast to Flag

Here's to the Red of it
There's not a thread of it,
No, nor a shred of it,
In all the spread of it,
From foot to head,
But heroes bled for it,
Faced steel and lead for it,
Precious blood shed for it,
Bathing it Red

Here's to the White of it
Thrilled by the sight of it,
Who knows the right of it,
But feels the might of it,
Through day and night?
Womanhood's care for it,
Made manhood dare for it,
Purity's prayer for it,
Keeps it so white!

Here's to the Blue of it
Beauteous view of it,
Heavenly hue of it,
Star-spangled dew of it,
Constant and true;
Diadem gleam for it,
States stand supreme for it,
Liberty's beam for it,
Brightens the blue!

Here's to the whole of it
Stars, Stripes and Pole of it,
Body and soul of it,
0, and the roll of it,
Sun shining through;
Hearts in accord for it,
Swear by the sword for it,
Thanking the Lord for it,
Red White and Blue