To the Editor,

Having family in the Wheeling vicinity, I read The Weirton Daily Times article: “It’s a year of celebration for Osiris Shriners”(Mar. 30 issue).

I am a Mason and a Shriner myself, and I congratulate the officers and members for celebrating the 150th year of Shriners International; the 135th anniversary of Osiris Shrine Temple, and 100 years of the Shriners Hospital chain.

One thing that the article failed to point out is that from the years 1872-2000, a candidate for the Shriners was required to join the Knight Templar Degree of York Rite Masonry and/or the Thirty-Second Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry (or both Rites, as I did). However, since 2000, a man needs to only be a third-degree Master Mason in a local Masonic Lodge in order to join the Shriners.

I encourage any qualified man of good character to consider filling out a membership application today.

James A. Marples.

Longview, Texas