DeMolay Week: Fun With My Comrades

The following blog post is from Brother Mitch Holmes, PMC of Templar Chapter and State Senior Deacon for Pennsylvania DeMolay. 

Are we limited to what we can do as DeMolay? The answer is most certainly no, we are not limited (unless you plan on something extremely dangerous or against insurance.) DeMolay is based from 9 young men who just wanted to have fun and build relationships. From that idea, we now have an international organization with over 3,000 chapters worldwide that was based off the idea of having fun and building friendships. Today, DeMolay is still the same. Although we have other aspects involved in DeMolay, we learn our leadership and skills through having fun in the organization.

The most fun I ever had in DeMolay was when my chapter planned an Air-soft Event. It was the first shooting based event I had been though with DeMolay. Yes, you might think it is a terrible idea for DeMolays to shoot one another with air-soft guns, but it’s basically the same as paintball, which has been common in DeMolay for years. After we presented the idea to our Advisory Council, it was approved and we started the planning process. When Bro. Chris Johnston and myself had originally planned our Air-soft Event, it was for the prospects we had interested in joining DeMolay. Due to our low chapter stats at the time, we felt it was necessary to have chapters and assemblies come to the event. We then invited the youth groups nearby. With an impressive turnout of 35 people, the amount of fun was endless. As we entered the arenas, most of us were scared and didn't know what to expect, but we felt safer because we all knew each other. By the time I had gotten out of the arena, I was immersed with the amount of fun that I had. I never thought you could have so much fun in DeMolay and that you were able to do events like that. When the night ended, everyone wanted to keep playing. Along with having fun, I later realized that the air-soft also consisted of leadership, communication, trust, and comradeship. All ideas that are based on our precepts.

Keep in mind, DeMolay is great for endless ideas. From going go-kart racing to camping trips, anything is possible in DeMolay. Without fun in DeMolay, we wouldn’t be the greatest organization in the world. During DeMolay Month, I encourage you to think outside the box and do something your chapter has never done before and enjoy yourselves as DeMolays.

Until then,

Mitch Holmes

GO: The Dale Earnhardt Tragedy

The following blog post is from Brother Dylan Kirk, State Senior Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay and PMC of Westmoreland Chapter.

In light of PA DeMolay's GO Racing theme, here is the story of the Dale Earnhardt Tragedy. The day was Sunday, February 18^th 2001. The location was Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida. One of the greatest tragedies in NASCAR history occurred on this date. It was the final lap of the Daytona 500, traveling 180 mph, Dale Earnhardt’s car was tapped from behind, turned around and collided head-on with the retaining wall. He never regained consciousness after the crash and had to be cut from his vehicle. At 5:16 PM EST, Dale Earnhardt was officially pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Halifax Medical Center. "This is undoubtedly one of the toughest announcements that I've ever had to personally make," said NASCAR president Mike Helton, "but after the accident in turn four at the Daytona 500, we've lost Dale Earnhardt." "The Intimidator" was one of the greatest drivers to ever live. The 7-time Winston Cup champion had won the Daytona 500 in 1998, in his 20th appearance in the event. He had a total of 76 Winston Cup victories, including 34 on the Daytona track, and was the most active driver on the circuit.

After the crash, there has been some controversy that Earnhardt’s lap belt broke during the wreck due to it not being installed properly so Earnhardt could be more comfortable. It was eventually discovered that had the lap belt been installed properly, it would not have saved Earnhardt’s life. There were several safety improvements made in the sport of stock car racing. In response to the speculation about the broken lap belt in Earnhardt's car, many teams migrated from traditional five to six-point safety harnesses. After the 2001 ARCA EasyCare 100 at Lowe's Motor Speedway resulted in the death of Blaise Alexander, NASCAR mandated the use of head and neck restraints. In addition to head and neck restraints, NASCAR began requiring the use of SAFER barriers at race tracks in which its top touring series compete. The soft walls feature foam and move slightly upon impact, dissipating energy and resulting in fewer forces being exerted on the driver during an impact.

As today is the 17th anniversary of the passing of Dale Earnhardt, please join me in remembering his legacy. Today is also the 60th Daytona 500 race, so on behalf of PA DeMolay, we hope you enjoy the race. 

Top Ten: PA DeMolay 2017

We're a little over a week into the new year, but there's always time for reflection on the year that has past. Pit Stop for Leadership Weekend will be the start of the 2018 PA DeMolay programming, but lets take time to remember what we did in 2017.

10. Dodgeball for Dyslexia has grown to be bigger than ever. This year's event, hosted by Elizabethtown Chapter, held 14 teams competing in a friendly tournament for a great cause. Roughly $2,000 was donated to various Children's Dyslexia Centers across Pennsylvania.

9. The Quest for the Holy Grail came to Patton Campus. Movie Mashup Weekend held a quest for members of PA DeMolay to find the Holy Grail. Several fun and creative workshop were held, along with an escape room to find the Holy Grail.

8. The Aliens beat the Cowboys at the Cowboys vs. Aliens Weekend. Several competitions, from trivia to Nerf battles, were held to determine which team was stronger. After the friendly competition, everyone in attendance played Laser Tag at the Laser Dome.

7. PA DeMolay was represented during the election of International Master Councilor. Brother Eric M. Dye ran for the office of International Master Councilor during the DeMolay International Sessions in Buffalo, NY. This was the first time in over 20 years that PA DeMolay had a candidate run for an International office. Although he did not win the election, he represented PA DeMolay proudly.

6. Jacques Lightyear joined the members of PA DeMolay to a trip to the movies. During Action Hero Weekend: Super Hero Training, the members had a special opening weekend view of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, an adventure that Jacques Lightyear took with the members.   

5. PA DeMolay is on the GO! During the PA DeMolay Convention, newly elected State Master Councilor Jacob Beers introduced his new theme for the year which is centered around racing. It also introduces three important phases: GO GROW, GO LEAD, and GO SPREAD.

4. Brother David Lynam of Riverside Chapter threw out the first pitch at the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game. One of the features of this year's Convention was a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs game. David was chosen to throw out the first pitch for bringing in the most members to DeMolay during the year.

3. PA DeMolay honors the Supreme Tall Cedar. This year's winter induction class was held in honor of "Dad" Mark Brumaghim, Supreme Tall Cedar of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. The degree cast did an excellent job. Thank you "Dad" Brumaghim for allowing PA DeMolay to acknowledge your service.

2. The first ever PA DeMolay draft during Talladega Nights Weekend. The weekend was the long awaited return of Flag Football. This time, the teams were decided with a draft held on Friday night. Unlike the Super Bowl earlier in the year, the Falcons beat the Patriots in the Williamson Bowl.

1. The Distinguished Service Award was applied for and awarded for the first time in 4 years. At the Supreme Tall Cedars Class in December, Executive Officer "Dad" Greg Schaeffer acknowledged two young men as the DSA recipients, Brother Alex Spence from Elizabethtown Chapter and Brother Brandon Whited of Northeast Chapter. Brandon was also informed that he would be entered for a chance at the DeMolay International DSA. Congratulations to both young men.

So there you have it. Some very memorable things took place in 2017. What will 2018 bring? Well, you'll have to stay tuned to find out. 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin             

GO Spread PA DeMolay's message

The following blog post is from Jacob Beers, State Master Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay.

Last week, I gave a speech about DeMolay at the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania’s Annual Grand Banquet. With this, I earned my GO Spread shirt for having completed four of the eight ways for all members of Pennsylvania DeMolay to help “GO Spread” DeMolay’s message. In addition to the speech, I also have written articles for the Keystone Crusader as well as posts for the PA DeMolay blog (like this one). Also, I attended York Bethel No. 1’s Installation of Officers on December 3rd. These are the four ways I earned my shirt - writing an article for the Keystone Crusader, writing a post for the PA DeMolay blog, attending an open meeting of another Masonic Youth Group, and attending an open meeting of a Masonic body - but there are four other things you can do to earn your GO Spread t-shirt.

First, you can write a letter for your Chapter’s newsletter, if it has one. This can be about anything you choose, whether that be an upcoming event, report of a past event, or anything you think would add substance to your Chapter’s newsletter. Second, you can write a letter to one of your Chapter’s sponsoring bodies. Without the support of your Chapter’s sponsoring bodies, your Chapter would be hard-pressed to do much of anything, so write them a letter thanking them for all the help they’ve given to you and your Brothers. Third, you can attend two Masonic service events. These can be any two events where your Chapter helps another Masonic body in any way possible. Fourth, you can attend two community service events. Use this as an opportunity to show your community all of the good that DeMolay can do and its deep interest in your community’s success.

Once you’ve completed any four of these eight things, submit an explanation of your doings to the PA DeMolay office, along with a signature from your Chapter Advisor, and you will receive a GO Spread shirt. Use this as an opportunity to show off your hard work as a spokesman for Pennsylvania DeMolay and wear your shirt proudly to show you’ve helped to GO Spread DeMolay.

Chase for the DeMolay Membership Cup

The following post is from State Master Councilor, Brother Jacob Beers, promoting the GO Program and specific pieces that go along with it.

This year, the Chase for the DeMolay Membership Cup will have Chapters face off against one another in a race to see which Chapter can grow its membership the most from Convention 2017 to June 30, 2018. The year has been split into four rounds. At the end of each round, the Chapters that have admitted the lowest number of new members will be eliminated from competition until four Chapters are left standing in a three-month shootout to be crowned the DeMolay Membership Cup Champion. The Champion will win special recognition at Convention, as well as a plaque to commemorate their success.

Currently, we find ourselves in Round One, but there is only little more than one month remaining until its end on September 30th. At the end of Round One, only the twelve Chapters with the most new members will advance, eliminating the bottom eight. Westmoreland and Elizabethtown Chapters have taken the early lead, but there is still time for your Chapter to bring in new members to secure your spot in Round Two.

As we approach September, the fight to advance to the next round of the Chase for the DeMolay Membership Cup will certainly be heating up. Make sure your Chapter doesn’t get left behind as the Chase continues.