Join the ranks of the curious as we sit down with Alan Cox, an esteemed past district deputy grandmaster and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, to celebrate the storied traditions of Freemasonry and its salute to our nation's servicemen and women. Feel the reverence as Alan recounts the solemn honor of accompanying the Grandmaster to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and sense the excitement that buzzes in the air with the upcoming installation of Potomac Lodge number five. Our conversation ventures into personal territory, with Alan reflecting on his own Masonic path and military service, giving us a glimpse into the fraternity's deep-seated camaraderie. And for a bit of levity, we share a laugh over a comedic mix-up between military branches that even our Masonic brethren sometimes can't escape.
Venture further into the heart of Freemasonry as we discuss the demanding and rewarding roles within the Masonic District, from Fred Packwood’s unexpected journey in an international apprentice competition to the art of guiding fellow members. Reminisce with us about the captivating moments that unfold following Grand Master Official Visits, where cigars and profound conversations create an atmosphere unlike any other. Our guest Alan shares his 12-year Masonic adventure, declaring it the wisest choice of his life, and leaves us with a cliffhanger about the time actor Richard Dreyfuss was raised—a story we promise to reveal in upcoming episodes. This is a gathering of Masonic wisdom and heartfelt tales you won't want to miss.
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Join the ranks of the curious as we sit down with Alan Cox, an esteemed past district deputy grandmaster and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, to celebrate the storied traditions of Freemasonry and its salute to our nation's servicemen and women. Feel the reverence as Alan recounts the solemn honor of accompanying the Grandmaster to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and sense the excitement that buzzes in the air with the upcoming installation of Potomac Lodge number five. Our conversation ventures into personal territory, with Alan reflecting on his own Masonic path and military service, giving us a glimpse into the fraternity's deep-seated camaraderie. And for a bit of levity, we share a laugh over a comedic mix-up between military branches that even our Masonic brethren sometimes can't escape.
Venture further into the heart of Freemasonry as we discuss the demanding and rewarding roles within the Masonic District, from Fred Packwood’s unexpected journey in an international apprentice competition to the art of guiding fellow members. Reminisce with us about the captivating moments that unfold following Grand Master Official Visits, where cigars and profound conversations create an atmosphere unlike any other. Our guest Alan shares his 12-year Masonic adventure, declaring it the wisest choice of his life, and leaves us with a cliffhanger about the time actor Richard Dreyfuss was raised—a story we promise to reveal in upcoming episodes. This is a gathering of Masonic wisdom and heartfelt tales you won't want to miss.
Connect with us on:
Email us directly!
Hey, chris, yeah Fred.
Speaker 2:What's a Mason?
Speaker 1:That's a really good question, fred.
Speaker 2:You've reached the internet's home for all things masonry. Join Chris and I as we plumb the depths of our ancient craft, from the common gavel to the trowel. Nothing is off the table, so grab your tools and let's get to work. This is On the Level. Oh, chris, we're back, we are back and here we are.
Speaker 1:Hi, hey Fred, yeah, hey Chris, how are you? What's a Mason?
Speaker 2:What's a Mason? That's a really good question, chris, you like I pause. I do that pause pretty well.
Speaker 1:You did do it.
Speaker 2:I did the pause, man, I'm impressed.
Speaker 1:The pause is what hooks people, is what I'm told yeah, you gotta talk a little quietly and slowly and lean in and listen. Pause, yes. And then you hit him with the hammer.
Speaker 2:There's a nickname I just somebody has a nickname out of it. It's hammer. That's right. Whoa, I like that. I like that. I like that.
Speaker 3:Pause for effect is what I tell my kids.
Speaker 2:Pause for effect. Yeah, it works with kids big time. So if you pause too long they start crying.
Speaker 1:That's the problem, yeah, so I know you want a PlayStation. See how that works.
Speaker 2:Yeah, see, that works well, yeah Right.
Speaker 1:And then you come in with it. It's not going to happen, sorry. Well brother, we have a guest with us. Yes, we have a guest, one of the near founding members of this whole shebang, that we are going to Washington DC.
Speaker 2:Tell us what shebang that is, chris.
Speaker 1:Well, we're here at. The grandmaster is going to lay the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier tomorrow yeah. And we just did a drawing for three random people who came up here to Washington DC who will get the privilege of going with the grandmaster there.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Right, we're going to go to the installation of Potomac Lodge number five, where we will have the Washington gavel present, and you, my brother, are one of the main guys at this. Yeah, I would say yes.
Speaker 3:I don't know about one of the main guys, but I have been here five at the last six years, five last six years as a retired military member, serving 20 years five months of 26 days in the United States Air Force.
Speaker 2:Air Force. Thank you for your service, brother.
Speaker 3:Yes, it is my proud honor to go with them to the tomb of the unknown soldier to lay that wreath yeah. I walked down there with them, but my heart is with them when they go down there.
Speaker 1:Yeah, tell us your name, tell us a little bit about your story.
Speaker 3:I'm Alan Cox. I'm a past district deputy grandmaster. The second Masonic district.
Speaker 1:Second.
Speaker 3:Masonic district From 2016, one of Hudson's heroes. I served with a great bunch of guys and a fantastic grandmaster man.
Speaker 1:what a year that must have been.
Speaker 3:It was fantastic. It was probably one of the best years of my life, so you were walking with legends, which means you're a legend.
Speaker 1:I don't know about all that. You walk with them. That means you're a walk.
Speaker 3:Okay, so we'll go with that. Yeah, alright.
Speaker 1:You're from the Panhandle of Florida, right? Okay, the Panhandle of Florida doesn't get a whole lot of respect, does it?
Speaker 3:No, we don't.
Speaker 1:But you deserve respect, don't you? Yes, we do. Yeah, you guys are on the corner of Georgia.
Speaker 3:Alabama, Mississippi. You got it all going on right there. We're all in that general area and the great thing is, in 2016, we will have a grandmaster from that area. Really Right, Washwell Haskell RS Jr.
Speaker 2:Oh, no kidding.
Speaker 3:I didn't know he was up there. Yes, he's our current Junior Grand Warrior.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, yes, and he will be the grandmaster in 2016.
Speaker 3:No kidding. So what is he from your lodge? Yes, he is from my lodge. Seriously, and I've known that brother for probably over 30 years.
Speaker 2:Oh, no kidding.
Speaker 1:Wow, that's awesome, Excellent. I had the pleasure of meeting him. I was the president of the Master Mason Association in our district 23. And there were a couple of people running against him this past year, but I'll tell you they were all in the room. He had the biggest smile.
Speaker 3:It just seemed like he was just loving everything. I've never seen him upset about anything. That's the thing that impressed me. He's a great man and great.
Speaker 1:Mason. I mean he always had a smile on his face. I'm sure he still does have a smile on his face Daddy, does Daddy does, and you know, you're a past district deputy, a past master. You've done a lot of stuff in Freemasonry. The more you do in Masonry, the more you see the not so good side of the fraternity. And so when I see people running for the grand line, and they have that smile on their face. I know they're a special kind of person.
Speaker 2:Right, because I couldn't do it. Yeah, it'd be tough. It'd be tough, it's a lot of work. Can you do it? Uh, sitting here right now, I'd say no, I'd say I wouldn't do it.
Speaker 1:I wouldn't do it either, but I think it's probably just.
Speaker 2:It becomes that love affair. You know, the longer you're in it and the more you get to know the brothers, you know you just want to serve.
Speaker 3:You, don't want to let anybody down. Right, right. He really loves the brothers and he loves his fraternity.
Speaker 2:That's right.
Speaker 3:I can't say enough good about him.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So you know, most wishful foster is ex-Air Force as well.
Speaker 3:No, he's ex-Navy.
Speaker 1:I thought he was Air Force no he was Navy, he's Navy.
Speaker 2:He's Navy, he's Navy. Let's cut this out of the whole box.
Speaker 1:We'll cut that part out.
Speaker 2:Chris.
Speaker 1:That needs to be added. Dang it.
Speaker 2:Now I know what he's going to say he's going to say let me tell you why you're wrong.
Speaker 3:That's funny, Chris. Let me tell you why you're wrong.
Speaker 2:That's my favorite statement he ever made in the interview. Let me tell you why you're wrong.
Speaker 1:I don't mind him saying that I'm wrong. I'm wrong, but you served your country either way, right? So you deserve respect. And here we are in the Capitol.
Speaker 2:Yeah, what do you see now Right.
Speaker 3:I love coming up here. My aunt still lives up here in this general area, so when I come up once a year or come up have dinner with her, it's a great night. I said tune with the unknown soldier and then the installation of Potomac Lodge. You want a phone book, Alex?
Speaker 1:No, I'm good, that's right, where she'll cat-sulis busting the balls of our guest here.
Speaker 2:That is his job.
Speaker 1:I think this is official title as a matter of fact, your balls have been busted, officially busted On the live You're nobody until you've been ball-busted by a cat-sulis. He was asking if he wanted a phone book to sit on.
Speaker 2:God dang it.
Speaker 3:That's I'm good with that. I would expect no less from him. There you go.
Speaker 2:What I love about this we've got what do you got 50 guys in here, man, 45 guys in here. Everybody is having a great time.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, we're family, we're family man, and I tell you that's the one thing about Masonry that I love.
Speaker 2:You go anywhere in this country, anywhere in the world, and you can just be with a room full of guys for five minutes and you feel like you're all brothers. Exactly. You're all close, you're brothers, you have something in common, and that's what I love about our fraternity, man. I think that's what I love most about it. Johnny, what are you telling us, johnny? There's Johnny.
Speaker 1:It was me. I was taking advantage. I saw him, I was taking a candid shot. He's taking it I would like to talk to our guest now Okay, yes, please do. How long have you been a Mason? I've been a Mason for 12 years 12 years, okay, so when did you become a master?
Speaker 3:I was a master in 14 at the three-year master. Mark, that's quick, were you. Did you feel ready at that time? Yes, because I'd been in supervisory positions for numerous years.
Speaker 2:Right, right.
Speaker 3:So you, just you basically took your life experience and kind of put it right in the three-year scenario and plus I knew the work.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so you don't know the work.
Speaker 3:Okay, no point in going to the East.
Speaker 1:Yeah, no, that's from your lips to the grandmaster and God's ears. Well, that's right.
Speaker 2:And there there is a. There's a few of them out there that probably could hear that statement.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I'm not going anywhere with that statement.
Speaker 2:I was saying that I get you, I get you, we're a big fan of knowing the work as well, you got to do the work, you got to know the work and you got to do the work.
Speaker 1:But our brother here, fred Packwood's, in the competition team for our district this year.
Speaker 2:I don't know how this happened.
Speaker 1:He's doing an internet apprentice competition with the entire. He's representing our entire district, so it's junior. We respect the work they start.
Speaker 2:I am the, I am the weakest link and I'm in there with Titans. I mean I mean we got past grandmasters, past DGGM, two of them, yep, I mean I, these guys, everybody knows the work. And then they put a two year, two and a half year Mason in there, but mercifully they stuck me in as junior warden. So I, my lines are very limited so and I know them all, so I'm good.
Speaker 3:And I was fortunate because I was selected as district deputy grandmaster for most virtual Stan Watson and then after that I was served three years as a district instructor.
Speaker 1:Oh, three years. Three years, not one but three years, wow.
Speaker 3:So do you have a gold card? No, I do not, blue card at least. Oh yeah, I had a blue card, but I said I enjoyed it. I enjoyed serving the crowd, I enjoyed helping them out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's really the role of an instructor, right, you really do serve the crowd 100%. You're there to make sure that these guys know the work as the state wants them to know it, right. But you're not there to be a hammer, no you're just kind of on this, you know, if you want help, I'm here.
Speaker 2:That's kind of your job.
Speaker 1:And a lot of instructors need to learn that you are support man your support man for the district to make sure that they have somebody in their district that can give them the answers. Now it's gotten a lot easier because we have books. Now we have books and you can go. But you know you were a district instructor for three years. Did a lot of people show up to open books?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we did pretty good. Did you do a team?
Speaker 1:And your job was to actually hear proficiency give backs as well when you were a district instructor. So you had to actually give some proficiency cards out over those three years. Yes, I did. Oh, our co-host here has spread his water all over the table we're broadcasting on. It's going out onto our legs.
Speaker 3:But that's OK, I'm going to slap you All right.
Speaker 2:So in that case, we'll just go ahead and bring our interview time to a close with a splash, with an absolute splash. I'm going to go find something to clean that up while you cover my sorry ass.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes, goodbye, fred Packwood. Messer, destroyer of tables, you're stuck with me now.
Speaker 3:Oh, it's OK, this is going to get deep. Oh, I don't know how deep we can go.
Speaker 1:Well, I'm curious to hear about how you got started in this Washington DC trip cycle.
Speaker 3:Oh, it was the Hudson heroes. Hudson heroes. We came up here and I said, being a district deputy for most social stand and the brothers I served with was fantastic and the things we did that first year were memorable, Things that I'll never forget and I'll treasure for the rest of my life.
Speaker 1:What do you think you made it.
Speaker 3:That's why I make the journey every year.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I can tell that you guys have a special connection, all of you guys that served that year. Together seem to have a special connection. Now I see every year there's a new group right, New district deputies, new grandmaster, and I'm sure that they all bond together. But you guys seem to be on another level.
Speaker 3:What was that about? I would say so.
Speaker 2:Why is that.
Speaker 1:I mean help me understand what happened that year. Why was it so special? Was it, the grandmaster, was it just?
Speaker 3:like it was the grandmaster and the brothers that he picked to be in DC's jam, the combination of those brothers. It was just a special.
Speaker 1:It's kind of like the ointment upon the head that rained down upon the beard.
Speaker 3:It's all of you special people that kind of mixed together made a magical thing happen After his GMOVs. Afterwards we would go at the hotel. We'd have cigars, cigars.
Speaker 2:Cigars. We're going to be doing that in a little while, aren't we?
Speaker 3:Discuss things. I mean, it was a learning and a joll-bull experience.
Speaker 1:It sounds pretty magical and when you see it now, because it's been how many years? Six years now. Since Seven years, almost Seven years since then, and there's been seven different groups of people that have formed together in the same way. You guys did Right, but it feels like something was different with your group to me. I'm an outsider looking in. You know I'm not one of you Every district deputy grandmaster's going to tell you that his group is special, but time and time, and as he should. As they should exactly.
Speaker 3:I have a special bond with all the guys that I serve with that, if they call me tomorrow and said, hey, I need to help with this, boom, I'm on the road.
Speaker 1:That's right. That's awesome. That's what Freednasonry is about. It really is. That's right.
Speaker 2:You have brothers that are there for you.
Speaker 1:Where else are you going to get that in this world? Hey, I'm back. Yeah, thank you. Thank you for your.
Speaker 2:I won't be spilling any more drinks tonight, I promise. Anyway this is a great night, all right, so I think we got one more interview before we pack it up.
Speaker 1:Is there anything you'd like to say before you go about the fraternity?
Speaker 3:this event your career. I've enjoyed my 12 years as a Mason. It was the smartest decision I ever made. Smartest decision I ever made.
Speaker 2:We hear that all the time and I would agree. Same with me, same with me. I wish I would have done it earlier.
Speaker 3:Me too. I wish I would have done it 30 years earlier. Things might have been a little bit different.
Speaker 1:Yeah, me too. Things happen the way they have to right. Exactly, Things happen for a reason. Would you have been ready 30 years ago for this? I wouldn't have been ready.
Speaker 3:We talked about that a lot. Yeah, no, probably not, but I said, it happened when it happened.
Speaker 2:Well, brother, it's been a pleasure having you on the show.
Speaker 1:And we will see you at the reef. Thank you, oh yeah, yes, sir, all right.
Speaker 2:That was awesome.
Speaker 1:My brother. What happened with the water?
Speaker 2:there. Sorry, man, I figured I'd get it out of the way now.
Speaker 1:Did you start waving your hands around like I do?
Speaker 2:No, I almost never do that. I think we got one more interview to do and then we're moving up.
Speaker 1:Brother Barnes to sleep. I see him yawning over here, right next to us.
Speaker 2:Yeah, what's going on there, jeremy?
Speaker 1:Hop on that mic, it's hot.
Speaker 2:It's hot right now.
Speaker 1:Did I tell you that I actually raised Richard Dreyfus?
Speaker 2:Is this true? It's true, come on now. I thought it was a rumor.
Speaker 1:Richard Dreyfus is the actor probably best known for close encounters of the third kinds, possibly Jaws.
Speaker 2:We're going to need a bigger boat.
Speaker 3:There you go All right Now.
Speaker 1:how did you raise Richard Dreyfus? That's a story for another time. You have somebody waiting here.
Speaker 2:All right, I think we're done. You let me hang it, we're done.
Speaker 1:Ooh wait, Voice Demi.