February 9 gave Pennsylvania DeMolay something worth writing about as the Scottish Rite Valley of Reading hosted the second annual Pennsylvania DeMolay Patriots Class, and the historical guest of the day - Founding Father Benjamin Franklin - was pleased by what he experienced!

The Induction Ceremonies for the day were performed by DeMolays from Chapters all across Pennsylvania: Chester Pike, Elizabethtown, Freedom, Friendship-Bray, Lancaster Phoenix, Northeast, Pilgrim, Reading and Steel City. The day was brought to an end with an "Armed Services Dance" that was attended by the DeMolays, Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls.

Rumor has it that Civil War Captain Henry Bingham, who is one of the featured patriots at the Friend-to-Friend Monument in Gettysburg, will be next year's special guest.

Left-right: Jeffrey C. Bortz, Deputy State Master Councilor; Edward R. Stein, District Deputy Grand Master for the 7th Masonic District; Tyler Parsons, new member from Reading Chapter; Ben Franklin (with a little help from Ill. Russell C. Baker, Active for PA, AASR); Jeffrey Hample, new member from Northeast Chapter; Ill. L. Donald Loos, Commander in Chief of Reading Consistory; and Thomas R. Labagh, Executive Officer for DeMolay in PA.

Representing the first Sponsoring Body of Lycoming Chapter, Patrick Maynard, Eminent Commander of Baldwin II Commandery No. 22; Wilmer Hall, a member of the Commandery and the new DeMolay Advisory Council Chairman; and Bryan W. Berry, R. E. Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of PA look on as Nick Hufnagle, Master Councilor, proudly displays the Letters Temporary document that will serve as authorization to meet until the Chapter can earn their Permanent Charter. The lodges of the 18th Masonic District also agreed to be official sponsors of the Chapter.

The young men and adults who wanted to bring DeMolay back to Williamsport found out that it takes four things to start a DeMolay Chapter.

First, they needed AUTHORITY - so they convinced the officers of the Valley of Williamsport to let them meet in the Howard Cathedral. Then they asked the members and officers of Baldwin II Commandery No. 22 to become a Sponsoring Body. Later, they recruited the 18th Masonic District to also become sponsors. Next, they petitioned DeMolay International for Letters Temporary - a short-term license, very much like a "learner's permit" to drive - to recruit and create new DeMolay members.

With authority well in hand, next they needed TRAINING, so their Advisory Council members participated in the DeMolay Advisor Development (DAD) Program, and several members and Advisors attended the annual Key Man Leadership Training Conference at the Patton Campus in Elizabethtown.

Next, they found they needed LEADERSHIP, so the new Chapter members elected their first corps of officers who began to recruit more new members so they could begin to conduct a full schedule of activities and meetings.

Lastly, they learned that nothing is done in the Masonic family without CEREMONY, so they established a date, and on Sunday, Feb. 17, they experienced three very important public ceremonies. The first was the Institution Ceremony of a New DeMolay Chapter, conducted by Bro. and Executive Officer Thomas R. Labagh and Deputy State Master Councilor Jeffrey Bortz. The second ceremony was the Installation of their Advisory Council, which was presented by Deputy Executive Officer Randy C. Knapp. The last ceremony was the Installation of Officers conducted by several present and past State Officers of Pennsylvania DeMolay.

When it was all over, the new Master Councilor, Bro. Nick Huffnagle, found himself surrounded by members, advisors and well-wishers who will support the Chapter during the year.