I joined out of profound gratitude to the Masons of Texas.  As a orphan of a Texas Mason, I was placed in the Masonic Home & School in Fort Worth in 1962 and provided a wonderful environment to grow up and begin my life.  I knew at that early age that any organization that would do something that charitable and good for mankind was an organization I wanted to be a part of.  I joined when I turned 21 years old. To this day, I thank Masonry for the opportunities I was given by being raised at the Masonic Home.