Centennial Memory #81: Jacques the Mascot

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.

When developing statewide programs or making a presence in the community, it helps to have some type of attraction, like a mascot. In 2006, Pennsylvania DeMolay invested in the Jacques DeMolay mascot. The mascot was based off of the Jacques DeMolay bobble-head, which had already been around for a few years at this time. We will talk more about the bobble-head later.

Since 2006, Jacques has made an appearance at annual PA DeMolay Conventions, Autumn Day festivals, DeMolay International Sessions, and various other activities and events. Traditionally, Jacques portrays his standard Knights Templar wardrobe, however he has been known to cosplay from time to time. Jacques has dressed as a Jedi, Jacques Lightyear, and he even dressed in lederhosen for the Jacques-toberfest event.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #82: First Issue of the Keystone Crusader

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.

Today's post will be a blast from the past. We've all seen the Keystone Crusader over the years. Below you will find the very first edition of the newsletter. It shows within the reading the original intent behind the newsletter.

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

Centennial Memory #84: The JUDGE

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 Pennsylvania, we have a traveling gavel that we refer to as "The Judge." Where did it come from? Why do we call it "the Judge?" Here's the story.

"The Judge" was designed and created by William A. Treager, a member of Westmoreland Lodge 518 in Greensburg, and resident of the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. He and the members of The Roosters Woodworking Club created the gavel at the request of Pennsylvania DeMolay.

It was first presented to Brother Justin Killian, State Master Councilor from 2004-2005, whose nickname was "The Judge," at the Installation and Institution of New Castle Builders Chapter in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Justin was a big contributor in forming New Castle Builders Chapter and had done a lot of work with the Chapters in Western Pennsylvania, which is why the gavel was presented from Erie, Lincoln, Westmoreland, Steel City, Lorraine, and Templar Chapters.

Although presented to Justin, "The Judge" became the traveling gavel for Pennsylvania DeMolay since the presentation. Chapters would travel several miles to other Chapters in order to take the gavel home. "The Judge" is still active, so make sure your Chapter knows its whereabouts in order to make a trip to retrieve it.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #85: 60th Anniversary Pilgrimage

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.

Today's post is our first that is provided by a guest writer. "Dad" Ed White, Chairman of the Advisory Council at Allentown Chapter has a unique memory from when he was an Active DeMolay.

One of my favorite moments from the first 100 years of DeMolay was my participation in the 60th Anniversary DeMolay Pilgrimage to Europe in the summer of 1979. We visited nine countries in 16 days!

A few of the highlights included visiting the very spot where Jacques DeMolay and Geoffrey de Charney were burned at the stake on an island in the Seine River in the heart of Paris, celebrating our Independence Day on a boat on the Rhine River in Germany on July 4th, celebrating Bastille Day (France’s Independence Day) in Paris on July 14, learning a few key words and phrases in every new country we visited from our multi-lingual tour guide, and meeting Freddy Mercury and Queen in our hotel in Munich, Germany.
We had a blast with then Grand Master C.C. "Buddy" Faulkner and the rest of the group, which included several DeMolays from Pennsylvania. At the bottom of the page is the group photo taken at the plaque commemorating DeMolay’s death, with my DeMolay pen pointed at me.

Standing just behind me off of my right shoulder is fellow Allentown Chapter Senior DeMolay Rich Schlauch, who was one of my best friends in high school, an officer in the Chapter, and my college roommate for three years at Lehigh University. Dad Faulkner is the tall man with white hair standing in the middle of the back row.

Three very memorable moments from the trip were visiting the DeMolay plaque in Paris, celebrating the Fourth of July on a boat in the Rhine River in Germany with the Grand Master, and meeting Freddy Mercury and Queen in the lobby of our hotel.
It is a trip I will never forget, and I hope to join the Centennial Pilgrimage next year!

Thank you "Dad" White for sharing this memory. If you would like to be a guest writer within the 100 memories segment, please send an email to JAPullin@pademolay.net.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin