Brothers from across southern Massachusetts descended upon the Social Harmony Mason Lodge in Wareham last month to celebrate one of the rarest ceremonies. Dana Keyes of Wareham received his 50 year Past Master's Diploma.

Keyes was the master of the lodge when it moved from Main Street, above Piper's Bar to its current location at 2509 Cranberry Highway in 1964. Keyes has been a 63 year member of the Masons.

The current master of the lodge, Robert Buchenen, spoke about some of the changes since 1964.

"Gas was 21 cents a gallon. Bread was 21 cents. 1964 was the year zip codes were introduced," Buchenen said. "You were here building this community, building this lodge."

Keyes father, Clifton Keyes, was a chief of police in Wareham and a Mason. While Dana may have followed his father in becoming a Mason, he chose to become a firefighter and is a retired Wareham Fire Chief. Keyes has been involved with the fire department in one form or another for 70 years.

He began working for the fire department when we was a 15-year-old high school junior during World War II. He said the fire department needed help with so many men off to war, his friends and he made an agreement with the principal to leave school when necessary.

"We had a friend with an antique car and we would all get in and roar up to the fire station," he said. "By today's standards it never would have went over."

Mason firefighters from Wareham and across southern Massachusetts came out to celebrate Keyes. One firefighters presented Keyes with materials he received from the Grand Master of Texas at a wreath laying ceremony at the Alamo. He likened the masons who fought at the Alamo to those who fought for independence from the British in Massachusetts.

Another firefighter said in 45 years of service, he had only seen Keyes get angry once, for about 90 seconds.

Keyes received many plaques,pins and other gifts, including the traditional masonic symbols of corn, wine and oil, part of an old masonry which represents health, cleansing and peace.

"It's no light position to be the oldest member of a group of men such as this," said Sean LeBlanc, the district deputy of the 20th masonic district, which stretches across Southeastern Massachusetts.

"I want to thank all of the brethren who have been very supportive of me," Keyes said during his ceremony. When asked to reflect on a specific memory as a member of the lodge, Keyes said, "There were so many good times. It's hard to remember a highlight."