All true. I’m a VFW member and had to provide documentation (DD-214) when I joined back in the late 80s that I served during a conflict. It wasn’t much of a conflict (nothing you’ve ever read about in the papers), but it was enough. And we ARE recruiting.
What–if anything–is the relationship between the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose? All I get from Wikipedia (and the Moose’s own website) is that the Moose were founded 20 years after the Elks. Was there some kind of schism; or were the Moose modelled on (or intended to spoof) the Elks? Or was it just some kind of wacky coincidence?
A moose is also called a Eurasian Elk, right?
What do women join? The Junior Leauge or something?
When it comes to the Masons, the women’s “auxiliary” is called the Eastern Star. I can’t speak for the others except the VFW, where women can join just like the menfolk.
I bartend at the local Masonic Temple, so, at least where I live, drinking is permitted for Masons.
I also temple sit, as it were. There is a resident couple, so the Mason’s can have 24/7 access. And when they both have to leave, I go and sit, read, and let in people who come to the door. It’s an extremely interesting building, with 2 temple rooms, used by 2 different lodges, library etc.
It’s kind of a cool part time job, and it’s less than 1/2 a block from my house.
My grandfather was a past Grand Exalted Ruler of his Elks lodge in Sacramento. There were some members at his funeral, and he even got his portrait painted at the time. I think I may even have a couple pins or insignia, once I sort through everything in my mom’s estate.
A friend of mine took me through the old Knights of Pythias building in my hometown. Fascinating place. There’s a huge meeting/ball/performance/ritual room on the top floor, complete with an organ and a carbon-arc projector of some kind.
He’s planning a party there for the end date of the Mayan calendar. I have a year to try and find proper white tie.
I let my annual membership lapse a year or so ago, and should re-up again. I have a few guys in my shop that are local members, but I intend to sign up at my father-in-law’s post in FL.
Tripler
Yeah, I let it slide accidentally… :smack:
nm
This is possibly the least accurate statement ever posted in GQ
The Livery Companies are nothing like fraternities. They’re the forerunners of trades unions and still have much to do with the trades after which they’re named.
The Freemasons are pretty much the archetypical example of this. They were lampooned on the Simpsons as the “Stonecutters” a while back.
It’s apparently tradition for acting troupes to give the Grand Poohbah additional “titles” that sound relevant to the audience. I saw a production where Poohbah was also the “Director of Homeland Security”.
So was my great grandmother. I recently had business in the neighborhood of her old lodge hall. The building is now devided up into small businesses. I stopped into the main floor coffee shop and had a rush of forgotten memories from my very early childhood. It was very strange. The oddest thning was the place smelled the same.
My husband is an Eagle.
Wow. WTF?
Cite?:dubious:
My error, sorry.
:smack:
Some of the best fraternal organizations have gone extinct:
Yes. I chaired our precinct caucus at Elks in Iowa. 
I bet the invention of TV caused the decline of lodges and clubs.