Centennial Memory #6: Crusade Band Performs For President

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

One of the Centennial Memories from quite some time ago involved Crusade Chapter's Band. In that post, they were featured in the Scranton Night performance at Madison Square Garden. In today's memory, the Chapter's Band performed for the President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The occasion was a Birthday Ball for the President held in Scranton, PA, which was to aid sufferers of infantile paralysis. The event was held at the L.A. Watres armory. That name should sound familiar, as Col. Louis A. Watres was a Past Executive Officer of PA DeMolay and a Past Grand Master of DeMolay. Below you will find the article from the March 1935 issue of the DeMolay Cordon. Thank you to Pilgrim Chapter for this find, as this issue of the Cordon was not one we had in our possession until recently.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #67: Crusade Chapter Institutes Syracuse Chapter

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

I mentioned in the past that Chapters love to travel. It's one of the things that helps bring DeMolay brothers together, even if the traveling takes place beyond state borders.

Crusade Chapter made the March/April edition of the DeMolay Cordon because they sent a team to institute a new Chapter. Syracuse Chapter was instituted by Crusade Chapter on February 23rd, 1924. As the article suggests, the Chapter was very large at the time, and had several organizations within the Chapter. Crusade Chapter had more than 500 members in their Chapter and were very eager to share the brotherhood that is found in DeMolay.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #83: Crusade Band Playing at MSG

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

As mentioned in a previous post, some Chapters had the ability to create their own bands. We showed pictures of Pilgrim Chapter's Band from several years ago, but a few other Chapters had their own Marching Bands as well. One of those Chapters is Crusade Chapter.

Crusade Chapter called their band "The Crusade Patrol," and they were invited to play at Madison Square Garden as part of the Scranton night celebration. The article is from the February 1935 issue of the Keystone Crusader.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin