Centennial Memory #15: DeMolays Marching in Parades

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.

We are tasked with putting our name out there for the community to see. Some Chapters take part in community fairs and open houses. One way that Chapters have done this is by participating in parades. The photos provided below demonstrate various Chapters participating in community parades. One photo that catches my eye is the one with several Chapter banners represented. I'm not sure the location of the parade, but if you look at the names on the Chapters, it shows various Chapters from across the state. This means a few of those Chapters traveled far distances to get to the parade location. Enjoy the photos.

Centennial Memory #70: Addition of Squires

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 memory is a recent one, as the program has only been active in Pennsylvania for close to two years. The Squires program has proven to be a success in Pennsylvania, as there are currently five open manors across Pennsylvania, with more still to come. The active Manors are Liberty Manor out of Northeast Chapter, Carlisle Manor out of Carlisle Chapter, William C. Graham Manor out of Lorraine Chapter, Bayse Newcomb No. 506 out of Friendship-Bray Chapter, and King Arthur Manor out of Allentown Chapter.

The Squires program is designed as a "Pre-DeMolay program" for young men between the ages of 9 and 11. The Squires hold their own meetings, host activities, and elect their own officers. A member of the DeMolay Chapter is chosen as the Squire Mentor, to assist the Squires in their efforts and serve as a role model for when they transition into DeMolay. The complete story of Squires in Pennsylvania is still unwritten, and we look forward to seeing the growth of the program.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #87: What is A DeMolay?

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.

One of the many questions that we are faced with is "What is A DeMolay?" There are several ways to answer this question. Every DeMolay would have a different answer because DeMolay means something different to every individual.

Having the Keystone Crusader Archive at my leisure allows me to find several interesting articles from the past. Augusta Chapter once did a section in the newsletter answering their variation of the question "What is DeMolay?" Here is what they wrote.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #100: Founder's Cross Recipients

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be observing 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

The Founder’s Cross is an award that was given out by the Founder of DeMolay, Frank S. Land. "Dad" Land gave the award to several deserving individuals who were loyal to him and to the Order of DeMolay. Below, you will find the proper description of the award, according to the 9th Edition DeMolay Handbook:

"The Founder's Cross is the most prized and highest distinction that could possibly come to anyone connected with the DeMolay movement. 

The award is not a Supreme Council honor but was a personal recognition by the late Dad Land of those whom he desired to honor for their personal, consistent and conspicuous loyalty and service to him in making the Order of DeMolay the greatest youth movement of its kind in the world.

The award was established in June, 1937, and only 135 were presented up to Dad Land's death on Nov. 8, 1959. The Founder's Cross is now officially retired."

Of the 135 awards given out, 11 of them were given to representatives of Pennsylvania DeMolay. Here are the names of the Pennsylvania recipients:

Louis U. Strassburger - Germantown 12/15/1937

Kendig C. Bare - Lancaster 6/22/1939

James N. Deeter - St. Mary’s 6/22/1939

William A. Hoffman - Beaver Falls 6/22/1939

W. I. Hurst - Johnstown 6/22/1939

Wilbur L. Minich - Harrisburg 6/22/1939

James A. Wieland - Pittsburgh 6/22/1939

M. J. Bishop - Beaver Falls 10/27/1939

Paul M. Moore - Butler 10/28/1939

James N. Wilson - Erie 10/28/1939 Edward A. King - Pittsburgh 12/6/1956

Although the location of a few of them can not be accounted for, PA DeMolay is in possession of one, which can be found in the display cases at Patton Campus. Pilgrim Chapter is also in possession of one, which belonged to longtime Chapter Advisor, Wilbur Minich.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin