On Jan. 20, five bus-loads of Pennsylvania DeMolays, Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, and their guests traveled to Washington, D.C., to witness the inauguration of George W. Bush as the 43rd President of the United States. After lunch at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, the roughly 250 participants took the Metro into D.C., either to the Mall at the Capitol to witness the swearing in, or to a point along Pennsylvania Avenue to view the parade to the White House. Some visited the George Washington Masonic National Memorial and other Washington sights.

The trip was the fourth of its kind hosted by Pennsylvania DeMolay, and the best attended to date. When State Master Councilor Walter Pietrowski was asked why this program was so popular with the DeMolays, he said, "We plan this trip every four years because young people don't get this opportunity through their schools or clubs. It is a chance really to participate in the peaceful change of our national government."

As in past years, partial underwriting of the trip, including purchase of custom souvenir caps and a custom-made banner, was generously provided by the Lodge No. 9, Philadelphia. Visit www.pademolay.org for photographs of the trip.