BRATTLEBORO — To become a member of Freemasonry, a man must apply for membership at a local Masonic lodge. To be accepted into the fraternity of Freemasons, he “must be of good character and hold faith through one of the leading monotheistic religions.”
Once accepted by the members of the lodge, that new member must advance through three qualifying degrees: the Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason degrees. Although concordant bodies in Masonry offer additional degrees, Master Mason is the highest distinction one needs to be an active member.
On the evening of Feb. 6, under the leadership of Worshipful Master Brent LaDeau, the officers of Brattleboro Lodge performed the third degree of Freemasonry on lodge brothers Ryan Muller, an area chef, and Brian Cleveland, who recently retired after 25 years in the U.S. Army, welcoming them formally into the Masonic fellowship of their lodge.
District Deputy Grand Master-elect Robert Baldauf was on hand to present the new brothers with Grand Master Roger Crouse's Grand Lodge lapel pin, representing Baldauf's theme for the two years he is setting out to serve as the leader of Vermont Freemasonry.