Walt Disney, DeMolay, and the Founder's Cross

Today's blog post is one of the most exciting I've ever been able to make.

Previously, on this blog, we've talked about Walt Disney's membership in DeMolay and shared with you some correspondence he wrote about the organization. A couple of weeks ago, I posted my research about the Founder's Cross, of which Walt Disney was a recipient.

Now, thanks to the work of some fellow researchers, we've secured photos of Bro. Disney's Founder's Cross and membership card. These are in possession of the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, CA.

These pictures are absolutely amazing and credit for them is due to Mr. Ed Brucker (who's son is a member of Missouri DeMolay) who has been assisting me with tracking down information regarding the Founder's Cross. I'd also like to offer public kudos to "Dad" Tom Varner, of Virginia, who has been compiling biographies of several recipients (with hopes of having a book of biographies available at some point.)

This is what researching DeMolay history is all about - Brothers working together to make discoveries about our past and preserve them for the future!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

A Letter from Bro. Walt

Anyone has been around DeMolay knows that Walt Disney was a member of our Order. In fact, I've discussed that on this blog before. In an effort to find something to post today, I did some digging and came across the text of a  letter written by Bro. Disney in February of 1965. The actual letter is retained by the Disney History Institute.

According to the Institute, several young men were forming Acacia Chapter in Stuart, FL. They wrote to Disney asking for his support and any insight he may have. He responded with the following letter:


"To my young brothers in the Acacia Chapter, Order of DeMolay, in Stuart, Florida I am happy to extend my warm greetings to you all.

I am proud, indeed, still to retain my bond with DeMolay as an honorary legionnaire. I am deeply grateful for the association which materially influenced not alone my young years but my whole personal and professional life.

One of he most important events of my youth, and one of the happiest too, was my acceptance into the membership of DeMolay. And I realize now, even more than then, how deeply my whole life, personal and professional, has been influenced by that early association. I am proud, indeed, still to retain my bond with DeMolay as an honorary legionnaire.

I was among the first members of the order when it was conceived and established in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919 by that grand humanitarian, Dad Land. At his invitation, a number of my young neighbors and I from the Benton School joined the first chapter in the city of its birth.

Through the years I have watched the growth and progress and prestige of this great organization. I have witnessed the inspiration it has been to many of our finest citizens and ablest leaders in all walks of life. The composite record of the 2,000,000-odd past and present DeMolays is most impressive for its many outstanding contributions in the private and public life of our nation.

I feel a great sense of obligation and gratitude toward the order for the part it has played in my endeavors. Its precepts have been beyond value in making decisions, in facing dilemmas and crises, in holding onto faiths and ideals and in meeting the tests which are best borne when shared with others in a bond of confidence and mutual respect.

The DeMolay creeds had become a definite guide by the time I started making motion pictures, first in Kansas City, then in Hollywood.

There is always some connection between a man's character and what he creates or perfects, so we are told. And it may well be that the same influences which shaped the thinking and behavior and preferences of my youth, had something to do with the early steps of my movie career and the direction it took.

It is gratifying to be assured that these same influences of DeMolay are still at work among so many young Americans today."

If you could ask any Senior DeMolay for support and advice, who would it be? Leave your answer in the comments!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Walt Disney, a DeMolay

This has been one of those weeks that I haven't had any burning issues or fabulous ideas to write about. I've been busy trying to pull together programs and information for the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, which I am going to take a bigger role in beginning in May. I've also thrown myself into starting a new local "chapter" of another Masonic organization, so, I've been pretty darn busy with my side projects. However, I still ponder on things related to DeMolay and recently came across a fabulous article posted on a website relating to Walt Disney and the cartoon community he created.

Titled "Walt and DeMolay," the article discusses what Walt Disney's true involvement in our organization was and just what kind of an impact our fraternity made on this legendary man. While I encourage you to read the whole article, there are two specific quotes that I find really great:

"Walt's involvement with DeMolay meant a great deal to him and he proudly wore a DeMolay ring on his right hand until the late 1940s, when he replaced it with the Royal Claddagh ring, the traditional wedding ring of the Irish since the 17th Century..."


Never underestimate the power of an outward endorsement of an organization. The fact that Bro. Disney wore a DeMolay ring for such a long period of time shows that he had more than just a passing interest in our group.

"In the 1930s another DeMolay member, Fred Spencer of the Walt Disney Studios, began sending an original Mickey Mouse comic strip entitled "Mickey Mouse Chapter" for DeMolay's national newsletter. (break) It was a two-tier black and white comic strip and the first installment has Mickey Mouse creating a poster to get all his barnyard friends to join him in the barn so they can vote on establishing their own chapter of DeMolay, a Mickey Mouse Chapter."


So, even Mickey Mouse was a DeMolay! While our fraternity has changed greatly since the involvement of the likes of Bro. Disney and Bro. Spencer, our mission and values have not. What are you going to do with the rest of your life and what part will DeMolay play in it?


Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony