the university preferred candidates with a thesis, so I had to pursue my doctorate later. I also needed to return to the force, since the Air Force would not permit me to attend for another year. Later on, after I reenlisted, I found my opportunity to pursue my doctorate in the United Kingdom when Van- derbilt University from Nashville, Tennessee, established a program for the Air Force and sent professors from their stateside campus to England. I was one of the few people who had qualified for their doctoral pro- gram, and I was accepted after sending in my application. Vanderbilt had contracted with Oxford University to use their research facilities. I worked very hard, night and day and on weekends, and I managed to com- plete my doctorate. Another benefit of being in the UK was I was able to participate in an internship at Resi- dence Hall in London. That experience was very useful, because I had trained to become a counselor, and the doctoral program Qualified me to participate in the psychological program at Residence Hall. I still remained active in Masonry, and even though I had to work weekends, the schedules ultimately complemented each other and did not interfere with my other obligations. SGIG Matthews: Which one started first? Masonry or your education? Let me just ask you the question out- right, when did you actually become a Mason? SGIG Hall: I became a Mason while I was stationed in Greenville, South Carolina in 1955. At the time you needed to be 21, and I couldn't wait, so as soon as I was old enough, I joined the Order. My uncles, who lived up in North Carolina, came to Greenville, South Carolina at my request, and they always stood by me throughout my Masonic journey. I became a 32nd degree Sublime Prince when I was stationed in Shelby, North Carolina. I managed to get the degrees conferred upon me shortly before I PCS ’ d (my permanent change of station). During this time, I contemplated getting out of the Air Force and continuing my education. Originally, I wanted to study medicine, so I was going to leave the service and pursue that goal. But since I worked for the Commanding General (CG), several of his staff encouraged me to reenlist. I told them I was not going to, but jokingly quipped, “ if you send me back to England, I may reconsider. ” Well, those guys on the CG ’ s staff used their influence and I reenlisted and was sent to the 1969 Airway and Communications Squadron in the UK. On the Masonic side of the house, I started a study club. I was involved in school again, plus in a study club of Freemasonry with other Prince Hall Affiliated members. SGIG Matthews: Ok, sounds like things worked out for you both professionally and Masonically. So, what lodge was it that you first became a member? SGIG Hall: While stationed in North Carolina, I was raised in D. A. McKay Lodge No. 135 located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina and I later joined the Order of Eastern Star Chapter in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. When I was later stationed in the UK, I demitted to Samuel T. Daniels Lodge No. 109, in the Maryland Jurisdiction, which was renamed while I was a member after Samuel T. Daniels, who was the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Maryland, and he was Grand Master for 38 years. SGIG Matthews: What do you remember about the officers of the Lodge, did they inspire you? I know you talked earlier about your family coming from deep roots of Masonry in your family. What about the lodge? Because I imagine they operated on the installation and did some projects and community service. SGIG Hall: The Brothers in the Lodge were very active in various aspects of the military community. The members had various talents that proved useful in endeavors. For example, we had cooks in the Lodge, and so when the activities were to take place, they would see that food was available for the function and all the re- lated items were taken care of. We worked on many projects together, but the large thing we did that I thought was a very good idea, and it was a very successful program. We would take toys and food in Mann- heim, Germany to local babies that were fathered by American soldiers at Christmas time. I did not know there were so many brown babies, and the Lodge always did something for them and their families for Christ- mas. SGIG Matthews: Did you hold any offices in the Lodge? I certainly did. The Lodge that I was a member of was in Mannheim, Germany on the installation and our membership consisted of mostly service members. When I arrived, the leadership roster at the time were not very good at organizing. They did great things in the community, but not anything educational. So, when I
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