Centennial Memory #72: Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E.

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.

In 2016, PA DeMolay was under the mentality of "Being Different." One thing that helped us in this adventure was the passion that the young men had for NERF guns and equipment. The state officers decided to capitalize on this momentum by creating the first ever all NERF weekend. The event was called Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Weekend (I still don't know what the letters stand for, please ask Jake Beers when you see him.)

The members of PA DeMolay were split into four teams, and a schedule of games was created for the members to know when their games were. Teams that did not have a game attended workshops, such as Decision Making, Lessons on Leadership, Importance of Teamwork, and even an obstacle course. In the end, the Green team won the tournament and became the recipient of the golden dart. Although the members were at war during parts of the day, brotherhood played a major role in the success of this weekend. Check out some of the photos of this great weekend.

Until next time - 

Top Ten: PA DeMolay in 2016

The new year has been upon us for roughly two weeks now, but this weekend is the official start of the new year for PA DeMolay with Cowboys VS. Aliens Weekend. Although 2016 is behind us, the year brought us some great moments. If you weren't around for 2016, then here is a top ten list of what you missed out on:

10. Jacques DeMolay himself joined us for this years Jacquestoberfest. In October, the members of PA DeMolay participated in an "Oktoberfest" style festival. The members ate German inspired food, drank plenty of Birch Beer, and competed in a DeMolay Decathlon. Jacques DeMolay arrived to enjoy the ceremonial festivities with the members of PA DeMolay.

9. Friendship-Bray Chapter hosts a meeting with over 150 Master Masons in attendance. This was also the first meeting that FBC returned home to their original location in Jenkintown, after several years in Hatboro. Its always great to see such great support coming from the Masonic Family.

8. Dodgeball for Dyslexia grows into a spectacular annual event. This year was the second event, and plans are already in motion for a successful 2017 tournament. Chapters and Masonic groups gathered to help raise money for a great cause. Nearly $1,000 was raised and donated to the Learning Centers in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. 

7. PA DeMolay accepted the mission to become secret agents at 007: Secret Agent Weekend. The weekend included a Sky Fall mission (a trip to Sky Zone,) and a Casino Royal event hosted by the Elected State Officers. Members enjoyed fancy drinks, played casino games, and enjoyed refreshments served by their favorite DeMolay Advisors (including the Executive Officer.)

6. The Judge is back on the road. For a short while, the traveling gavel, known as the Judge, was stuck in one location. Thanks to the help of Mitchell Holmes and the Elected State Officers, the judge is back on the road. Chapters that have already held it since September are Lorraine, Templar, Westmoreland and Northeast. 

5. PA DeMolay is still being different... by taking the show to Hollywood. Before Convention 2016 (If you weren't there, I'm sorry) SMC Adam Pritchard was encouraging PA DeMolay to "Be Different." During the 2016 Convention, in-going SMC Eric Dye introduced his theme for the year: Lights, Camera, Action: PA DeMolay Goes Hollywood. The year has been exciting with new events still to come.

4. NERF or Nothing! In January, PA DeMolay hosted the first ever all NERF weekend with Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend (Please ask Jake Beers what it stands for if you really want to know.) The function room was set up into a War Zone with games going on all day long. Congratulations to all of the winners.

3. PA DeMolay beats the Right Worshipful Grand Master in a game of Basketball. At Grand Master's Class, the RWGM of Masons in Pennsylvania, Raymond T. Dietz, challenged the members of DeMolay to a game of PIG, a basketball game in which a letter is given to a participant who misses a basket. Brothers Mitch Holmes and Kody Anderson won the game, $5 for every member, and bragging rights for all of PA DeMolay. 

2. "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. "Dad" Williamson has been a staple in the activities that are PA DeMolay for over 30 years. Since his resume is so detailed, I will save the length of this section, just know that PA DeMolay would not operate without his overwhelming support.

1. We brought in 100 new members this year. We had a really great year in membership this year, keeping the brotherhood going for several new young brothers. 

Wow! That's a lot to take in. 2016 really was an exciting year. So, how does PA DeMolay plan to make 2017 just as exciting? You'll have to wait and find out, but I can promise you that you will not be disappointed.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin         

Meet the Candidates: Jacob Beers

Convention is right around the corner, which means it will be time to vote for PA DeMolay's Elected State Officers. This series will introduce you to each candidate as they prepare to run for office. They were all asked to provide a short biography and an answer to the three questions below.  

Greetings,

My name is Jake Beers and I am running for the office of Deputy State Master Councilor. I am a Past Master Councilor of Elizabethtown Chapter, having served from January to June of 2014. This fall, I will be entering my senior year at Lower Dauphin High School in Hummelstown. Here, I play the baritone in the Marching Band and served as the Low Brass Section Leader, helping to teach students music and techniques as well as mentoring the incoming freshmen. I have worked as Student Director of the Lower Dauphin Middle School Play for the last three years, working with the students to better their abilities. I have also acted since 2012, though I have lessened my activity in this field. However, I do appear on the stage on select occasions. I am also an avid auto racing and NASCAR fan.

If you are elected to serve, what do you hope to accomplish?

As Deputy State Master Councilor, I hope to improve communication and teamwork between the Elected State Officer corps and the Chapters of PA DeMolay. I feel that communication is a two-way street and can only be successful if both Chapters and ESOs make the effort. If we are successful, we will be able to grow the Chapters on a more individual level rather than growing the state as a whole.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience?

The generic answer to this is “there are too many to pick from,” or some variant of that. Generally, I would avoid the generic, but it is true: over almost five years of DeMolay, it is pretty tough to choose. Since I have to choose just one, though, it would have to be the feeling I had around noon on the day after the Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend. This weekend was one of the largest events I’d seen in a long time that didn't have “Key” or “Man” in the name, and even better: I was the one in charge of it! Sure it wasn't perfect, nor did it go exactly as I had planned, but I felt as though everyone I talked to had a great time and were all very excited for the next weekend. It was a truly amazing feeling to know that my hard work paid off.

Who are some of your DeMolay influences?

I've always looked up to the Elected State Officers, specifically the State Master Councilors. Matt Blaisdell played a huge role in my early development as a DeMolay as he was always willing to talk to me, even though I was 12 and he was the SMC at the time. I also remember him not making a big deal out of being SMC, but working just as hard as he had to get there. I've tried to keep that feeling of humility I saw when I was a new member. Also, Dad Berry does a tremendous amount of work at the PMYF office and I believe he does not get enough credit for it, aside from the standard “thank you” at the end of some events.

Be Different Spotlight: Friendship-Bray Chapter

The following post is part of a series entitled the “Be Different Spotlight.” This post will display a chapter’s effort to grasp the concept of the theme for this year. Each chapter was challenged by the State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard, to “Be Different.” 

Challenge Accepted! This is the story of how Friendship-Bray Chapter embraced that challenge...

On Tuesday, December 8^th, 2015 members and advisors of Friendship-Bray Chapter visited Baldi Middle School in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia. The event, which was organized by FBC advisor and Fox Chase Elementary School Principal “Dad” Rob Caroselli, was a first look at DeMolay for many young men in Northeast Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.

Young men and parents were invited to a question and answer session about what the organization has to offer. While the young men were excited to hear about events like Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend and Laser Tag, the parents were thrilled to hear that DeMolay and its advisors strive to help make its members better sons and good upstanding citizens. The Chapter was prepared with brochures provided by PA DeMolay and personalized for our specific Chapter and events.

Four of the seven young men present received their obligations January 3^rd and will receive their complete degrees at Patriots Class on February 13^th. Two other young men who have attended a few of the recent Chapter activates will also receive their degrees at Patriots Class.

The new members have already talked about bringing their friends into the Chapter after the amazing time they had at Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend. We expect the size of FBC to double in the coming months.


Friendship-Bray continues to stand out and BE DIFFERENT. On March 6^th at the stated meeting of Friendship-Bray Chapter, the members will kick off DeMolay Month by hosting dozens of visiting Masons including several District Deputy Grand Masters. This exposure and excitement will undoubtedly continue the resurgence of the once again Mighty FBC! Here we grow again!

This blog post was written by Friendship-Bray's Chapter Advisor, "Dad" Dennis Hunter.. Thank you "Dad" Hunter for your contribution.

Friendship-Bray Chapter has completed the challenge to “Be Different.” What has your chapter done in order to change things up a bit? Send in program details or write a post for your chapter and send it to me at JAPullin@pademolay.net.

It's Nerf or Nothin!

With the upcoming Nerf weekend, otherwise known as Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend, I figured we should take the time to get to know the Nerf product a little bit better. The training weekend will be focused on the Nerf Blaster, but the Nerf Company has been responsible for several different products along the way.

The concept of Nerf started in 1969 with an idea that was originally meant to be a Volleyball game with a 4 inch foam ball. Parker Brothers kept the foam ball and expanded on the idea. Eventually Hasbro, the company that produces Nerf to this day, took over the company from Parker Brothers. Nerf, which is an acronym for Non-Expanding Recreational Foam, became a worldwide success. New products were being created, mostly involving sports. Growing up, most kids I knew had Nerf basketballs, frisbees, soccer balls, and the most popular, footballs. My personal favorite was the Vortex Howler Football, a football that had a long-distance tail that made the football go further than most usually do. Friends and I would toss one around for hours down the back alley until our parents called for dinner. 

The most popular product, which is what the January weekend is focused on, is the Nerf Blaster. After continued years of success with sports, Nerf turned to warfare gun products that shoot discs, balls, and darts. There a various versions of the product, some more powerful than others, but all of them stick within the same concept that made the company as successful as they are; safety. I hope to see you all at the upcoming Nerf weekend. Remember: “It’s Nerf, or Nothin!”    

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin