The Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Association is an internationally based association of Master Masons who have joined together to share the sport of motorcycling and to introduce Freemasonry to the public and the motorcyclist community.
I recently had the opportunity to talk with Cecil Searcy, President of the Missouri chapter of Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Association to find out more about their unique organization.
CC: So, the Widows Sons is an international organization?
Cecil: Yes, we have chapters in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.
CC: When was the Widows Sons established?
Cecil: The Widows Sons was established in 2000 in Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of the group was to give Master Masons who ride a group they can call their own. Our primary function is to come to the relief of the widows of Master Masons.
CC: When was the local chapter established?
Cecil: We started forming the Missouri Chapter in July of 2005 and received our charter in February of 2006.
CC: How many local chapter members do you have?
Cecil: We currently have 20 members, with a chapter in St. Joseph and a new chapter forming in Kansas City.
CC: How does someone go about joining your club?
Cecil: First, you must be a Master Mason in good standing to be a voting member of the Widows Sons. There are also associate memberships, and apprentice memberships for guys who are interested in becoming a Freemason.
CC: Are there club dues or fees?
Cecil: Dues are only $20 per year plus the cost of patches.
CC: How often and where do you meet?
Cecil: We meet on the second Sunday of each month at Uncle D’s Restaurant in St. Joseph, Missouri. Meetings are at 1 p.m. and we ride at 2 p.m.
CC: So you have group rides?
Cecil: Yes. Stated rides leave after our monthly meetings, but we also have impromptu rides throughout the season. Our next big group ride is a trip to Branson, Missouri for a weekend of riding, and our 2nd Annual Poker Run
is Saturday, June 17 at Evil Twin Cycles in St. Joseph, which is our fundraising event for the year.
CC: Does the Widows Sons participate in local charity events?
Cecil: Yes. We try to support anything we have time for. I know this year we plan to ride in a group for the 4th Annual Ride for Ryan on Saturday, June 3 and the Kansas City Bikers for Babies® RIDE on Sunday, September 10. We also do a lot of work for the Missouri Masonic Child Identification Program. These events provide parents with fingerprints and data for their children in case they are ever missing, and it’s all free of charge.
CC: Do you meet or ride with any of the other chapters?
Cecil: Yes. The St. Joseph and Kansas City chapters ride together and we plan on meeting with our Arkansas brethren when we are in Branson.
CC: Do you welcome all brands of motorcycles?
Cecil: Absolutely!
CC: What message does your club send out to the community?
Cecil: We want to provide a visible impression of what masonry is today and we are fun loving men who enjoy serving our community.
CC: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your club?
Cecil: If you are interested in joining please visit our website at www.widowssons.com/mo or e-mail me directly at crsearcy@hotmail.com for more information or to find a chapter near you. Above all, we are Freemasons and work to always represent masonry in a good light. For more information about Freemasons in Missouri check out www.momason.org.
CC: Cecil, thank you for taking the time to tell us about your organization and I look forward to participating in your poker run on Saturday, June 17.
Interview by Mike Schweder
