What's In A Name: Paul Miller Moore Preceptory

Across the DeMolay world, there are a few Chapters, Chevalier Courts and Legion of Honor Preceptories in which we wonder one thing; Where did that name come from? This segment will help give some history behind some of those names. We start with Paul Miller Moore Legion of Honor Preceptory. 

Paul Miller Moore, originally from New Concord, Ohio, moved to Aliquippa, Pa in 1906, which was then known as Woodlawn. He was the first labor foreman in the construction of J & L Steel, P. M. Moore started the P M Moore Company in 1912, constructing many of the neighborhood houses for the steel workers. These homes, which were completed at a one per day rate, included a living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, a bathroom and indoor plumbing.

Moore was one of the organizers of the Woodlawn Trust Company. He served as President until the company merged with Mellon Bank and Trust. He was also one of the organizers of Woodlawn Building and Loan and served as its Director. He was a member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, serving as the President of the Board of Trustees for twenty years. He helped found the Aliquippa Rotary Club, the Aliquippa Concert Band and was one of the organizers of the Boy Scouting movement and local chairman. Moore was presented the 1957 "Man of the Year" award by the people of Aliquippa.

Moore was a Warrant Officer for the Woodlawn Masonic Lodge, which at the time met as an organization known as the Woodlawn Fraternity Club. After sending a petition to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, they were granted a Charter on March 15, 1913, being constituted as Woodlawn Lodge No. 672. Moore became the second Worshipful Master of the lodge in 1914 and paid off the lodge mortgage debt in 1962.

Paul Miller Moore was also a member and Past Commander of the Knights Templar, Beaver Valley Commandery No. 84. He later became the Grand Commander of Pennsylvania in 1939 and then served as the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of the United States of America from 1961 to 1963.

Moore died in 1964 on Good Friday Evening. At the time of passing, he was in Washington to attend the Knights Templar Easter Sunrise Services at Arlington Cemetary. As the Commandery is a big supporter of the Masonic youth groups, especially in the Pittsburgh area, it comes as no surprise to why the Legion of Honor members of Butler named their Preceptory after Paul Miller Moore.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

The Dawn of PA DeMolay

Now that Convention is over, I can get back to my usual blogging pace.

One of the really exciting things announced at this year's Convention was the "Honor and Heritage" program, which celebrates the 90th Anniversary of PA DeMolay. As part of that program, I will be attempting to make on blog post per week that has something to do with the rich history and heritage of the DeMolay program in the Commonwealth. With so much available too me, I was initially at a loss of where to start. Then it struck me - start at the beginning, silly!

The beginning, or as near to it as I can get, comes in the form of a simple letter from "Dad" Ralph C. Minehart, founder of Pennsylvania DeMolay, acting in his capacity as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. It read as follows (emphasis and spelling occurring from the original document):

"

October 25, 1923

To the Division Commanders, Eminent Commanders and Officers of the Commanderies under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, greeting:

WHAT ARE WE AS KNIGHTS TEMPLAR DOING FOR OUR FELLOW MEN?

I, as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania, recommend and request that the Commanderies throughout the State sponsor the ORDER OF DE MOLAY FOR BOYS.

I have looked into this matter and have witnessed the conferring of their Degrees, which were wonderfully impressive, teaching beautiful and instructive lessons of Clean Living, Filial Love, Patriotism, Duty, Reverence and Protection of Womanhood, also the defence of the Public Schools against harmful propaganda. What better weapons could they employ than the HOLY BIBLE, the American Flag and a bundle of school books strapped together?

This organization takes the boys after they have reached their sixteenth year and from there to 21 years; between the Boy Scout age and manhood, which we know is the dangerous period, because it is the impressionable age, and the good impressions obtained in this Order are life-lasting.

What more fitting cause could be espoused by this Grand Order of Ours, the KNIGHTS TEMPLAR, than to look after our boys; the greatest asset our Country possesses.

Sir Knights, this Order will bear the closest investigation, and the more you look into it, the more you will be convinced that it is our opportunity to do something that will prove of lasting benefit to our Nation.

Sir Knights, I cannot recommend this Order too highly, and it is my earnest desire that the Commanderies seize this opportunity to ace as REAL BIG BROTHERS to our boys.

Upon application, I will be pleased to furnish you with all information and literature.

Courteously yours,

Ralph C. Minehart, Grand Commander"

With this letter, the Order of DeMolay started in Pennsylvania, and we are thankful for it.

In future blog posts, we will discuss our foundations in even more depth, and return to "Dad" Minehart's ideas about how DeMolay could make young men better.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

SMC at Grand Commandery

As long time readers will note, I missed posting something on this past Monday. I was unable to post as I was attending the 160th Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, held in Williamsport, PA. Also attending that event was Bro. Alex Rasuchenberger, State Master Councilor of PA DeMolay. Alex was given the opportunity to address the crowd and I managed to video it for "posterity." Enjoy!

How do you say thank you?

Over this past weekend I had the privilege and honor to participate in the Annual Gettysburg Memorial Service with the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. Each year, usually in September, the Grand Commandery comes together to march up the hill that leads into the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. About mid way up the hill rests the Friend to Friend Monument, which was erected by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to commemorate the Masonic Brothers who fought on both sides during the American Civil War. It  is at this hallowed site, dedicated to Freemasons and soldiers, which is mere steps from where Abraham Lincoln delivered his immortal Gettysburg address, that the Grand Commandery remembers the Knights that have died during the past year. The service was very moving and provided great honor to those who have come before.

I know. I hear you. What does this have to do with DeMolay? C'mon guys, you know I always find a way to tie it back together!

As I stood guard for the service, I noticed that "Dad" John K. March, the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Pennsylvania (the State level president), was wearing a blue ribbon on his uniform. It looked very out of place, as Templar awards and medals generally are red, white, black, or purple. Blue is not a common color. Yet, there he was, wearing a blue ribbon. Upon further inspection, I realized that he was wearing a DeMolay Medal of Appreciation. That medal was presented to him by Bros. Matt Blaisdell (SMC) and Anthony Kallhoff (SJC) back in July at a testimonial dinner in his honor. As my eyes panned to the right, I spied "Dad" Kenneth J. Wyvill, Jr., the Right Eminent Grand Commander of Maryland. Lo and behold, he was wearing a similar jewel on his jacket! I was noticing a trend.

Pictured above (from Left to Right): Sir Knight and "Dad" John K. March (Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania), Sir Knight and "Dad" Seth Anthony (Division Commander, Division No. 5 of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania), Sir Knight and "Dad" Kenneth J. Wyvill, Jr. (Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Maryland)

Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the Templar organization, the uniform codes are very strict. They specify not only what medals and decorations you can wear on your uniform, but also what order they are to be displayed in. The code is very strict and adherence to it is an important part of the Templar tradition. To see two of the highest officers in their respective states wearing adornments that are not listed as official in the uniform code is very unusual. Uniform codes are usually left up to each state, so the Grand Commander can do anything he likes in regard to his uniform, but to see two Grand Commanders both wearing DeMolay medals on their uniforms at the same time was really special.

I spoke with "Dad" March after the service and asked to take some pictures with him and of his Medal of Appreciation. He said to me "I promised those young men that I would wear this medal for the entire year that I'm Grand Commander. They did me a great honor by presenting this (the Medal of Appreciation) to me and I'm going to return that favor by wearing it everywhere I go this year." When I asked "Dad" Wyvill about his Medal he said "The young men of Maryland DeMolay are our future. They gave me this Medal and in a couple of weeks I'm receiving the Legion of Honor. It means a lot to me."

The DeMolay Medal of Appreciation is one of the easiest awards to bestow, but that doesn't cheapen it! The only requirements include the following: it must be approved by a Chapter;  it can be given to anyone over the age of 20; it can be given to community leaders, Masons, and others who help the DeMolay program; and lastly, it must be approved by the Executive Officer.  It provides an excellent way to say "thanks" to those who make the DeMolay program successful.  And, as demonstrated above, the potential impact it can have is enormous.

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Donde esta el blog?

Good afternoon folks!

It's been a week since the last blog post, and I'm sure many of you are wondering why there have been no updates. It's simple really! I have been in Erie for the past week or so attending the Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania, along with Bro. Howard Wagner, your State Master Councilor. I'm not going to bore you with the full details, but I do have a fun video for you of Howard's comments during the banquet. Enjoy!



With that, we should be back on track for our regular updates!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

PA DeMolay History - Part I

If there is one thing that I truly enjoy about the DeMolay program, it's the robust history that we have inherited. Stretching all the way back to 1919, DeMolay is closing in on its 100th Anniversary. That's quite a long time for such an organization! Pennsylvania was an early adopter of the DeMolay program, and I've always been fascinated by the history of the Order within our own Commonwealth.

Working at the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation gives me an opportunity to research these early years, learn about our founders, and find out just how DeMolay became such a force in the Keystone State. Any great story, must be told from the beginning, so with that... just how did DeMolay come to PA?

1923 was a good year in the US. The first World War was over, the economy was good, and the middle class was growing. Warren G. Harding was in the White House, and a vaccine was developed to combat a common but serious illness (whooping cough.) In that same year a train load of young men from Kansas City descended on Pittsburgh to induct 1099 members of DeMolay in one swoop. DeMolay was officially in Pennsylvania, but it didn't happen overnight.

How many of you know who Ralph Minehart is? Without him, you wouldn't be reading this blog. "Uncle Ralph," as he was fondly known, is the reason our Order thrives in Pennsylvania today. Born in Brownsville, PA, "Dad" Minehart moved to Pittsburgh at a young age and was raised in the city of steel. He became a member of Crescent Lodge No. 576, and soon became involved in all things Masonic. While it may seem that "Dad" Minehart's Masonic career is boring, it is far from irrelevant. Without his enthusiam and political connections DeMolay never would have made it.


Back in 1923, it wasn't the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania who championed DeMolay, but rather the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. This isn't to say that the Grand Lodge was opposed to the program. They just had lots of things on their plate, and starting an unproven group for young men seemed like less of a priority. The Knights Templar, and particularly "Dad" Minehart, were looking for this kind of opportunity. "Dad" Minehart served as Right Eminent Grand Commander in 1922. It was during his tenure as Grand Commander that he first witnessed the ritual of the Order while on a visit to New Jersey. Upon his return he immediately submitted a document to prominent Commandery officials in Pittsburgh asking them to take up the program. In a bold move, he followed this request with an official General Order as Grand Commander that all Commanderies in Pennsylvania should sponsor a DeMolay Chapter. This was just the impetus that DeMolay needed, and soon there would be no turning back. These revelations led "Dad" Land and a group of thirty young men from Mother Chapter in Kansas City to travel to Pittsburgh and establish Templar Chapter (which would go on to become the oldest Chapter in Pennsylvania.) It still exists today, and the heritage of the Chapter is not forgotten.

This brings DeMolay to Western Pennsylvania, but how did the city of brotherly love become involved? Philadelphia was actally the first area to try to bring DeMolay to Pennsylvania, but for unknown reasons, the movement failed to gain momentum, and by 1921 it was dead in the water. The story of its resurgence traces straight back to "Uncle Ralph" and the Grand Commandery. Serving under "Dad" Minehart was an ambitious Division Commander named Louis M. Strassburger. Thanks to these two men a Chapter was started in Philadelphia that would bring DeMolay to the Eastern part of the State. "Dad" Strassburger would go on to serve as Grand Commander himself, and further the ties that DeMolay has to the Grand Commandery.

The movement continued to grow in Pennsylvania, but that's a story for another day. Suffice it to say that I am very thankful to all the Knights Templar, then and now, for the hard work and dedication they bring to the table to support DeMolay. It has been my honor and privilege to serve as Commander of my local Commandery, and I hope one day that I, too, can have some impact on the Order, even if I only accomplish a fraction of what "Dads" Mineheart and Strassburger did.

Until Next Time!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Almost 60 Years and Still Going!

DeMolay can really create some truly outstanding individuals. Those people then go on to create truly outstanding memories. This past weekend Pennsylvania DeMolay hosted its annual Volleyball Tournament, and I can certainly say it created a memory in me.

I'll be the first to admit that the sports tournaments aren't my passion. However, I do recognize they have a place in the DeMolay program, and for good reason. To each his own, right? Sometimes competition can bring out the worst in people, and sometimes it can bring out the best. This Volleyball tournament certainly brought out the best in one advisor.

I was exiting Memorial Hall on Saturday afternoon when I noticed some folks on the tennis courts. What I saw will stick with me forever. There, outside, working with the fellows from Susquehanna Chapter was "Dad" Les Loomis. "Dad" Loomis will be the first to admit that he's not the youngest pup on the block. We won't tell you how old he is, but he did mention something about a 60 year pin for DeMolay!

So here was a man, who is many years older than the average DeMolay, out on the tennis court, running the Chapter through bump, set, spike, and running drills. I immediately thought to myself "Wow... now that's a dedicated Advisor. That's what the DeMolay program is all about." I continued to reflect on that thought throughout the day. I've seen many advisors who just come to a sports weekend, hope their Chapter team does well, and let the chips fall where they may. But here, HERE was advisor who really cared, and wanted to spend time with his guys. Then I again realized how great the difference in age between "Dad" Loomis and the young men was. There was man from a different generation, lending his talents and abilities to teach young people. All I can do is smile when I think about this.

"Dad" Loomis isn't just involved in DeMolay though. He is also very involved in his local Masonic community, and has served the York Rite of Freemasonry with great distinction. Last year he served as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania. Even during his tenure in that office, he still took time out to come to Advisory Council meetings and help the Susquehanna guys with their programs.

I've looked up to "Dad" Loomis for a long time... and not just because he's taller than me! This weekend really cemented in my mind the effect that "Dad" Loomis has had with me, and with Susquehanna Chapter. As I continue my journey in Freemasonry I can only hope that I can serve the Masonic family as well as he has.

Thank you "Dad" Les Loomis for all you do!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony