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Recent Happenings
December 17, 2006 Racine Chapter presented a donation of $175 to Racine Special Olympics at our annual Tree Trimming Party.
On December 16, 2006 John Strack completed his Obligations.
On December 9, 2006 Racine Chapter welcomed 3 new members into the Order: Branden Strack, Sekani Allen, and Ryan Hutton.
On December 4, 2006 Racine Chapter held their election of Officers for the upcoming term. The newly elected officers are:
Master Councilor - Nicholas Hansen
Senior Councilor - Brandon Roberts
Junior Councilor - John Strack
Treasurer - Christopher Hansen, PMC, Chev
The History of The Order of DeMolay
A young man named Frank S. Land founded
the Order of DeMolay in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1919. World War I was nearing
its end, and America had suffered the loss of many men. During this time, Land
became concerned with the problems of boys who had lost their fathers. He
thought, "How lonely it must be for a boy not to have a man to talk with or a
man to provide some type of inspiration and direction." Land decided there was a
need for an organization where boys would have the opportunity to associate with
other boys—a place where they could share common interests and learn
responsibility and other skills that would benefit them throughout their lives.
His ideal model for the organization included having business or professional
men (Masons) take an interest in the young men, befriend them, advise them, and
perhaps even provide them with employment opportunities.
In March 1919, Land met with Louis Lower. Louis' father had died, leaving the
young man without a father figure in his life. Land took the time to listen to
Louis, learn about his dreams, and help him. He learned that others, like Louis,
sought companionship, leadership, inspiration, and competition. Land asked Louis
to invite some friends to a meeting. This original group included nine young
men: Louis G. Lower, Ivan M. Bentley, Edmund Marshall, Gorman A. McBride, Jerome
Jacobson, William W. Steinhilber, Elmer Dorsey, Clyde C. Stream, and Ralph
Sewell. By the second meeting, there was a total of 31 young men present. They
were excited about their new club!
Next, the group needed its own identity and name. DeMolay was suggested after
Land related a story of a man who was tortured and ultimately killed for
refusing to reveal the location of his hidden brother Knights and their vast
wealth to the evil king of France. That man was Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand
Master of the medieval Knights Templar. Inspired, the boys decided to name their
club the "Order of DeMolay."
"Dad" Land, as he came to be called, provided the philosophy and principles to
be embodied by the organization. As interest in DeMolay spread, Land answered
many requests for information and authority to start chapters. Initiations and
ceremonies took place in many locations. By the fall of 1920, Mother Chapter had
developed activities for its members as well. These included an outstanding
baseball team, a DeMolay marching unit, and a 100-piece band!
Until his death on November 8, 1959, Frank S. Land worked tirelessly for the
Order of DeMolay. He is remembered as a great man, a proud American, and a
person who millions referred to simply as "Dad." Under his charismatic
leadership, hundreds of devoted workers have aided in the creation and extension
of the Order of DeMolay. Frank Land's life touched, and continues to impact,
generation after generation of young men who are looking to better themselves by
emulating the lessons and examples by which he himself lived.
Racine Chapter Order of DeMolay