Wards Corner Now – Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia

Wards Corner Now has received the following email from Mason, Robert G. McBride:

I take great pride to write this letter as a member of the “Masonic Temple”.  I grew up living on Burleigh Ave, when “Wards Corner” was the “Times Square of the South”.  When I was attending Granby High school I met a group of young men playing ball on a Saturday morning.  I asked them if I could join in and play, they said yes it was during this time that I found out they belonged to the Masonic order called “DeMolay”.  It was a christian organization for young men.  It was the beginning of my masonic journey.  I attended Talbot Park Baptist Church, and was a member of Troop 12 Boys Scouts.  Archie Dail was the Scout Master and a Freemason.  I was Married in the church by Dr. Honts.  In 1970 I joined the Masonic Lodge Ruth#89,and have been a member for 39 years.  I have served as Wor. Master 3 times, District Deputy Grand Master in 2007.   I belong to two lodges in Scotland, as well as The Royal Order of Scotland.  Masonry is the largest Philanthropic organization in the world.  Masonry gives over 2 million
dollars a day to charities.  The Shriners hospitals of North America, provide services at no charge to any race color or creed.  The Masonic Temple would never disgrace the city of Norfolk, or Wards Corner, nor allow a guest to do anything that would tarnish our reputation. Please take the virtual tour on the web site.  Please come and take a personal tour of the building.  There have been many great masons within the Wards Corner community, Mr. Ken Perry owner of the Dollar Tree, Mr. Aubry Graham post master, Mr. Earl Gresham, Mr. Nash Satterfield, Judge Walter Hoffman, Judge Hal J. Bonney, the list goes on.

I hope that you will consider the motion before you and approve it. I can assure you that the Masonic Temple will not be disrespectful in any manor to our neighbors.