I've had a confusing few weeks, set off by the suicide of a brother, former friend/elder. It was tragic beyond words. Even though I've been out 18 years, we were good friends for all the years I was in, and always kind the few times I saw him after.
I attended the memorial. What is AH-mazing to me is most everybody there was absolutely GUNG HO! Most regular pioneering, applications for Paterson/Walkill you name it. Trips to international, one brother told me he is moving to Europe and he is in till the bitter end.
So I had to think about this...yes they are active in the cart work etc., but there is no emphasis on any life saving work. No, it is loyalty to the organization, being faithful, and it is a HUGE social gathering.
It's so different. Ugh.