GRAND COMMANDER'S MESSAGE
On June 23rd, I went to Atlanta, Georgia for the Southern Department Conference. Plenty of good information was presented by different Grand Encampment Officers. After the meeting, the six Grand Commanders from the South East met with M. W. Richard B. Baldwin for a discussion on topics that concern our state. He wanted our thoughts on the Grand Encampment Per Capita increase. This discussion was very productive as we got a lot off our chest. We were encouraged to state our views and express how we felt.
On July 7th, I was on the road again--this time to Gainesville for the DeMolay state meeting. What a great pleasure to be there and see so many young men so eager to confer the work in proper form. There was also a nice turnout of young ladies for different Rainbow Assemblies. This was a day that I will never forget.
Speaking of the DeMolay, I thought I would add the following information. It is very important to support the DeMolay because this is where our future Masons, including our future Sir Knights and Commanders, will come from.
One Hundred DeMolays
Of any 100 young men who join DeMolay, five of those 100 will become Master Councilor of their DeMolay chapters. And at least one of them will later say that he valued that experience above his college degree. Eighty or more of the 100 will go on to complete some form of post-high school education.
Many of the 100 will find their vocation through other DeMolay involvement, such as Merit Bar work. DeMolay has produced a good number of men, who after serving as chaplain of their local chapters, went on to become ministers or pastors. Along those same lines, several of the 100 DeMolays will first be introduced to some form of organized religion by attending some church or temple through a chapter function.
Of any 100 young men who become a DeMolay, thirty will drop out in their first year. Perhaps this may be regarded as a failure. But in later life, most of these will remember that they have been in DeMolay and speak well of the program and the lessons it teaches.
Of any 100 DeMolays, only rarely will one ever appear before a juvenile court judge or be in any trouble with the law. In fact, DeMolay produces a great many lawyers. And, although the percentages are not known, many of the 100 will join the military. Each of the 100 will learn something from DeMolay and most all will benefit from their association with the fraternity. Again, the percentages are not known, but a considerable number of the 100 will also go into the Masonic Lodge in later life. Of the 100 who join Masonry, many will serve as a head of one of the Masonic organizations.
A number of the 100 come from single parent families and look to their advisors (Masons) as positive role models. One out of the 100 will be awarded the rank and honor of Chevalier, the highest honor granted to an active DeMolay. Approximately sixteen of the 100 will value their time in DeMolay so much that they will "give back" to DeMolay by serving as an adult volunteer in later life.
Although only one out of every 1,000 young men in the United States, age 13 to 21, will join DeMolay, it is interesting to note that many of this nation's leaders in business, religion, and politics belonged to DeMolay in their teens. In fact, one out of every twelve State Governors is a Senior DeMolay and one out of every ten United States Senators is a Senior DeMolay.
One hundred DeMolays ... equals a high number of leaders.
There are a couple of District Meetings coming up next month: On Friday, September 21st, District 10 will meet at the York Rite Center at 189 W. Airport Blvd. in Pensacola. Registration is at 5:00 PM, dinner at 6:00 PM. On Saturday, September 22nd, District 9 will hold their meeting at 9:30 AM at Harmony Lodge, 3024 Jefferson Street, Marianna.
Let us remember our sick and distressed Sir Knights, as well as our brave troops, in our prayers and in our hearts.
Thank you all and enjoy the rest of the summer.
Courteously and Fraternally,
Leroy Fackler
Right Eminent Grand Commander