And no, they are not destined to take over the world. A brother in the Widows Sons riding association contacted Bikernet recently. David Dolph told me, “We are a Masonic Riders Association and a group of Master Masons who have come together to promote Freemasonry within the motorcycling community and help introduce motorcycling to our non-riding Masonic brothers. Our first priority, is to aid & assist widows and orphans of Master Masons.”
We agreed to research their organization and were surprised to find out the origins of Freemasonry.
Freemasonry or Masonry consists of fraternal organizations that trace their history to the local fraternities of stonemasons from the end of the 14th century. They regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. Freemasonry has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories throughout the years. Modern Freemasonry broadly consists of two main recognition groups:
Continental Freemasonry is now the general term for the jurisdictions that have removed some, or all, of these restrictions.
The basic, local organizational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. These private Lodges are usually supervised at the regional level (usually aligned with either a state, province, or national border) by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. There is no international, worldwide Grand Lodge that supervises all of Freemasonry; each Grand Lodge is independent, and they do not necessarily recognize each other as being legitimate.
The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow (now called Fellowcraft), and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry and entrusted with grips, signs and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated.
We asked David some questions about his association starting with: Tell me how the association began and the history?
The logo and concept of the Widows Sons International Motorcycle Association, was conceived by Bro. Carl Davenport from Chicago, IL.
One rainy Sunday morning in 1998, Bro Carl awoke with the words “Widows Sons” deeply implanted in his head. The words evolved in his thoughts for several weeks and eventually coalesced into the image of a beautiful woman with a pale look on her face.
Bro Carl then started to research information on the Widows Son. As he thought more and drew on his Masonic experiences he understood what the image represented.
When a Master Mason is called to the Grand Lodge above, his widow always has a deep look of pain and at the same time is full of fear because of the unknown journey she will now undertake alone.
She was obviously the Widow. And he decided she was the widow of a Master Mason because of his affinity for the Fraternity.
Bro. Carl had always wanted to form a Masonic riding association. He thought it would carry well across the fraternity. He very soon had a list of Masons and Masonic riders.
One day he was having a conversation with a fellow Brother from the Philippines and discussing motorcycles and Masonry and how Grand Lodges might view Masonic motorcycle organizations. They decided they needed two things numbers (members) and a cause.
It was at that moment that the entire concept including the logo came together. The motorcycle club should be called the Widows Sons (no MC) and they should aid and assist the widows of Masons.
Since that day the Widows Sons International Motorcycle Association has grown with chapters active and forming in more than 11 states in the U.S. and 5 countries outside the U.S.
The riding association is open to Masons who ride a street or highway-legal motorcycle and are in good standing in the records of their blue lodge.
What’s the mission?
To aid and assist the Widows of Master Masons…
To promote Freemasonry in the world of motorcycles…
To promote motorcycles in the world of Freemasonry…
To support the local charities…
How many members, their demographics and are they local or spread out.
There are chapters all across the world and the United States, but here in Ohio there are 23 chapters with 640 members.
Our Chapter in Middletown, Ohio has 23 members.
Who is the leader? How long? Tell me a little about him?
Every chapter has a set of officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Sergeant at Arms, Guardian of Membership, Chaplain and Trustees.
Also, every state has a Grand chapter with the same type of officers.
Major events or functions?
Every chapter puts on benefit runs throughout the year. Our chapter “Brazen Pillars” will have a benefit run on Saturday June 5th and another one in September.
Tell me how women and kids fit in?
Women and children cannot be a Widows Sons (because Widows Sons are Masons) but women can be companions of the Widows Sons. Companions can attend meetings and help, but they won’t be able to vote on topics/subjects. The proceeds from our benefit runs go towards organizations that help women, children, first responders etc…
There you have it. If you are interested in this organization you can contact David below:
Name: David Dolph
Phone Number: 937-536-9575
Email Address: david.dolph@gmail.com
