Hometown: Minot, North Dakota

What keeps you in Sioux Falls? My grown children all live here, our network of friends, and my work.

Who was your Masonic sponsor, when did you join, and why did you become a Master Mason? My Father, I was raised 2-22-97. It is a family tradition.

  • All raised in Ashlar Lodge #69 in Granville ND
  • Great Grand Father Jason Geddes 3-21-23
  • Grand Father Oscar Johnson 4-19-22
  • Uncle Jean Resvick 10-23-54 
  • Father Paul Buriak 5-29-65
  • Myself Paul Buriak II 2-22-97
  • Brother-in-law Brad Malone 2022 he is an entered Apprentice 

Who was your Shrine sponsor, when did you join, and why did you become a Shriner? Alan Machmiller, at Spring Ceremonial in 2013. I had always planned to be a Shriner as I was a DeMolay member growing up as well as a long-time Mason before I joined the Shrine, after my son started going to the Shriners Hospital, Dr. Geidara started instigating me to join, didn’t take long after that.

What is your favorite part of being a Masonic Shriner? The Philanthropic part of the organization and all the children we help. We have been taking our son, Luke, to the Hospital for over 12 years now. We have met some of the most amazing and dedicated doctors, nurses, and physical therapy folks. I have also had the chance to speak to quite a few parents of our patients and the love and well being our hospitals deliver to our patients is amazing.

What units and clubs have you been and/or currently are a member? Clowns, Ski Club, Mystic Brewers, and Hospital Reps

We know you’re one of our famous clowns, talk about your name(s), why you chose to be a clown and what it has meant to you: Mulligan, cause every man should get two chances at everything. Oddly enough my son was the impetus on my becoming a clown, at a Christmas party for our patients, Cotton and Monkey Wrench asked Luke why I wasn’t a clown. He stated I thought that was why he joined the Shrine. Being a clown, is a real chance to be the hands and feet of God. Think about it, most people do not know who you are and you bring joy and happiness to most people you meet.

How did you become a Shriners Hospitals for Children Representative and what has that meant to you? And, for how long? I was asked due to my experience with the hospitals. I believe since 2016, so 6 years. I enjoy being the guide for patients locally who have questions on how the system works or why they should go to one of our hospitals. More often than not this is a very stressful time for the family, one of their children is sick or in need of help, being there and able to help with experience or the right connection is calming and helpful for the parents.

Talk about being the father of a Shriners Hospitals for Children Patient’s father and how that has effected your being involved: Being the father of a patient does give you a different perspective of the organization, my family has life-long friends we have made in the shrine and at the hospital. Having seen both sides of the Shrine in action, the fraternity and the philanthropy gives me an insight most Shriners never experience as their children are not in need of our care. As I think back, the yearly, sometimes monthly visits, and the nearly perfect 14-hour surgery to correct Luke’s spine curvature, multiple wheelchairs, a donated hospital bed, and endless conversations about the Green Bay Packers in Vikings land. Yes, there are Packers fans at the Minnesota Hospital. Everyone of those is a fond memory and that is not the norm for care or relationships with your doctors.

How does your Lady feel about your Shrine involvement? Shellie has always been very supportive of my Shrine involvement as long as she doesn’t have to get up and talk in front of a group of people.

Describe El Riad Shrine in five words: Fun, Fellowship, Philanthropy, Making a Difference

What would you tell shriners and their families about joining our family, fraternity and philanthropy?  Join. Join a unit, go to Wednesday fellowship, and take a trip to one of our hospitals. Make a difference.

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