Centennial Memory #35: Trinity Chapter Helps with George Washington Masonic Memorial

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.

The George Washington Masonic National Memorial can be found in Alexandria, Virginia. The Order of DeMolay is known for donating the statue which is the center of this monument. It was considered a gift to Freemasons everywhere. The statue is made out of bronze and stands 17' 4" tall. It was presented on February 22, 1950 by President Harry Truman on behalf of DeMolay. "Dad" Land sent out a message in 1940 making this a national fundraising effort, with hope that every member would donate .25 cents towards the cost of the statue. Several Chapters worldwide helped raise funds to get the statue built. Although I'm sure it may not have been the only Chapter in Pennsylvania to help raise funds, Trinity Chapter, which met in Bradford, PA, was published in the local paper in 1953 for having helped donate $200 towards the efforts to build the statue.

For more information about the GW Memorial and the statue of George Washington, click on the links below.

DeMolay International Centennial Celebration Moment #31

DeMolay International Centennial Celebration Moment #32

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

DeMolay is the Best Thing that Happened to Me.

The following blog post is from Brother Christopher Black, State Chaplain for Pennsylvania DeMolay and Master Councilor of George Washington Chapter. 

Before I joined DeMolay, I was a shy kid not knowing what I wanted to do with my life. I liked helping people and hoped that I could find something to allow me to help others. I tried the Cub Scouts, but I didn’t like it too much.

I was helping out at the Zembo Shrine Circus one day and saw a group of boys wearing shirts that said Carlisle DeMolay. I asked the Potentate at the time who these boys were and what DeMolay was. He gave my dad the contact information for the Chapter Advisor at the time. Knowing that I lived further away than their Chapter was located, they connected my dad to the Chapter Advisor of George Washington Chapter, which would eventually become my home Chapter. They agreed to come to my house for an interview.

A week later, I was going to my first DeMolay event. After joining the Chapter, I was asked to take an office, so I chose the office of Chaplain, with the intent to show everybody that I am ready for DeMolay. After one term as Chaplain, my Chapter had a major shake up in leadership, for which I offered a helping hand by taking the role of Senior Councilor. When Brother Jake Beers became State Master Councilor, he was looking for State Officers and I signed up hoping to become the State Chaplain. I received that office and now I am the Master Councilor for  George Washington Chapter. None of this would have been possible if I didn't ask about DeMolay.

Difference Makers: George Washington

Few men in our nation’s history bear a name so worthy of recognition as George Washington. Not only was he pivotal in our nation’s war for independence, first president of the united states, and a former land surveyor, the man was also an accomplished Freemason.

Washington’s military career began as somewhat of a blunder. Serving under General Edward Braddock, Washington first got a taste of battle in the attack on Fort Duquesne in modern day Pittsburgh during the French and Indian War. After some poor maneuvers, Gen. Braddock overextended his forces, which soon collapsed into a frenzy, leaving Braddock himself mortally wounded.

From here, Washington only continued his climb to fame. He was not much of a big name from the time between the French and Indian War and the War for  Independence. However, when the call to action came, Washington was ready to answer. Taking on this challenge would mean taking on the strongest military power in the world, indeed no small feat. However, through Washington’s superior planning and leadership, our fledgling nation was able to sever its ties from our mother country, and become our own freestanding sovereignty.

So be it military prowess or leadership ability, either category lands George Washington as one of the most influential men in our nation’s history.

This edition of the blog has been provided by PA DeMolay State Treasurer Daniel Shevalier. Thank you Daniel for your contribution.