I read The Austin Daily Herald article: “Photo: Masons support AHS Cheerleaders” (Nov. 7, issue).

I am very pleased that the members of Fidelity Masonic Lodge No. 39 supported Austin High School cheerleaders via proceeds from pancake breakfasts.

I happen to be a fifth generation member of the Masonic Lodge and one of my great-grandfathers was Charles Marples.  He was from Minnesota, serving in the Third Minnesota Infantry during the Civil War.

Masons are well-known for efforts over a century and a half ago in starting public schools, providing lodges as sites for early  classrooms until schoolhouses could be built, and today our Masonic efforts continue in diverse ways ranging from providing youth scholarships to helping cheerleaders and school bands to helping needy widows and families at Christmas time.

My late dad, John William “Bill” Marples, was a Mason 52 years out of his 87 years. He would often tell me: “Jimmy, where you find Masons  … You find friends.”

How true.  I’m glad I joined nearly 37 years ago in Kansas. I still visit lodge meetings in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana and other states when I can.   

Plus, I get mailings from a lodge in Minnesota informing me of current events, so I have a special place in my heart for Minnesota Freemasonry.

I wish the Fidelity Masonic Lodge members  well in all their future efforts to enhance the community.

Sincerely,

James A. Marples

Longview, Texas