We all shine on: D.W. Brown

Bro. D.W. Brown, who runs the "The Blue Lodge" online forum, tells us about himself in this our 14th glimpse into the lives of our readers in the series "This is Who I Am." Thanks for writing, Bro. Brown!

Fraternal Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Please allow me to introduce myself: my name is Brother D. W. Brown and I reside in the United States of America. I officially became a Freemason just over two years ago, but thanks to my father, also a Freemason, and in my heart, I have been a Freemason all my life.

I was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the first Gulf War and accumulated approximately 2500 hours flying cargo and troops between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. I also flew on many humanitarian relief missions all over the world during my almost six years of service. I began my civilian career as a Systems Engineer in the early 90s and worked for many companies including General Electric, AutoZone and CIGNA Healthcare. Currently, I am the Chief Executive Officer for a pharmaceutical research company.

I began my official Masonic journey late in life, mainly because I did not live near my father for much of my 20s and 30s. My wish was to have my father take part in my joining but unfortunately by the time I returned home, my father was not physically able. Although, he was aware of my doing so before his death, which meant the world to me.

If I can sum up the teachings of my father, in just a couple of words, it would have to be that he taught me to always be a Man of honor. This to him meant, to always keep your word, when given, and to always do what you knew in your heart to be honorable.

My Masonic travels during the past two years have been a roller coaster of highs and lows. I first joined a mainstream Blue Lodge located in Alabama and quickly passed my first three degrees, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in just three months. Shortly afterwards, I joined the Scottish Rite and in a mere 10 hours was bestowed with my 32°.

After joining, I quickly began to see that the Freemasonry I had joined lacked many of the qualities that I had dreamed of growing up. I saw and still see blatant racism, corruption and a lack of basic democracy, even within the local lodges, not to mention the mainstream Grand Lodges. I could not, in good conscience, stand by and let this fester any longer. Given my background in technology and the voice that the Internet affords all free people, I made the decision to start The Blue Lodge and fight to bring back the Freemasonry that had been lost.

After beginning my personal crusade to correct many of the injustices I saw, I found out to my delight I was not alone. I found a group of Brothers to which I could not only truly meet on the level but I could aspire to become like. I found a group of Brothers who against all odds banded together, in the tradition of our forefathers, to take on a monolithic system that had hijacked our Freemasonry. I found intellectual and stimulating conversations and a passion to do the right thing, no matter the cost, I was finally home. Today I stand shoulder to shoulder with these Brothers, as the Founding Fathers did so many years ago, to take back what rightfully belongs to the just and upright Mason, our HONOR.

— Bro. D.W. Brown

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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