There has been some reporting about the possible closure of some of the Shriners Hospitals for Children across North America due to the shrinking national endowment, the bad economy, declining contributions and the high proportion of elderly men who are Shriners whose yearly membership dues include an assessment to support the organization's charity, the noted Shriners Hospitals.

I'm 45. I've been a member of the Masonic Lodge, York Rite and Scottish Rite for over a quarter century. I joined the other Masonic-related order, the Shriners, more than 20 years ago.

I am glad that officials at the international convention, the Imperial Council of the Mystic Shrine of North America, voted to accept insurance money. In our turbulent economic period, it is obvious that the Shriners (as individuals) can't assume the financial burden alone as they once did. The public needs to realize that the men in red fezzes stand for good deeds.

The Shriners need more good men. The fraternal arm and the charitable arm of The Shrine must each survive.

James A. Marples

Provo