Is it like a college fraternity? Yes, in that it promotes the concept of brotherhood and
service, but no, it’s nothing like "Animal House", and there is no hazing or partying like
you read about in the papers. We have fun in DeMolay, but its the kind of fun parents
support and approve.
How big is DeMolay as an organization? There are twenty-seven Chapters in Illinois.
DeMolay is located in all 50 states, and in 7 different countries. There are
approximately 40,000 members world-wide, and there have been over 1,000,000
members since it was started in 1919.
Who can become a members of DeMolay? Young men, age 12-21, of good moral
character, and who believe in God, may apply for membership. They must be
recommended by two members of the Order and elected by the members.
Is anyone ever rejected for membership? Not too often, but membership in DeMolay is
open only to those young men who are of good moral character, and who want to
improve themselves. All parents want their sons to associate with those who will
support their character-building efforts.
What do you do in DeMolay? We have Social, Civic Service, Athletic, Fund Raising,
Ceremonies, and plenty of fun activities.
What kind of social activities? We do all the usual activities that teenagers enjoy,
including dances, movie-nights, visits to other DeMolay Chapters, and anything the
members vote to do.
You mentioned athletics. Tell me about your sports program: Athletics for all members,
not just the jocks. Our philosophy is to let all DeMolay members compete and
participate to the best of their ability. The members support each other in stiff
competition among the Chapters across the state. State Champions have the
opportunity to compete in national tournaments.
We have Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, Swimming, Soccer, Tennis, Bowling and Golf
tournaments.
Is there an initiation or some kind of ceremony for joining? Yes, and it is an important
part of DeMolay. The initiation ceremonies are solemn and serious occasions when
we teach the basic principles of our organization. We present these ceremonies from
memory, and the members work very hard to do their work in an impressive manner.
This includes acting in a drama which depicts the trial of Jacques DeMolay, the last
Grand Master of a medieval crusading order, which was being persecuted by the King
of France. DeMolay was burned at the stake for refusing to betray his friends and his
principles, and his martyrdom teaches young men to honor promises they made to
friends, family, employer and themselves. The members really have fun presenting this
play, while teaching an important lesson for life.
Are there any famous DeMolay Alumni, men who were DeMolays in their teenage
years? Perhaps the first one I should mention is President Bill Clinton. While we may
not all agree with him politically, all members of DeMolay are proud of the fact that one
who was very active in our order as a teenager, is now the leader of our Country.
There are other politicians, such as Sen. Bill Bradley, Sen. Mark Hatfield, Sen Mark
Andrews, Gov. Reuben O. Askew, Gov. Carroll Campbell, Sen. Henry M. Jackson and
former Sen. Paul Tsongas.
Others include actors John Wayne, Fred McMurray, Robert Taylor, Ken Curtis, Van
Johnson and Bob Cummings.
Many newscasters were DeMolays, including Paul Harvey, Walter Cronkite, John
Cameron Swayze, Dan Rather, Chet Huntley and Willard Scott.
Many entertainers such as Walt Disney, Burl Ives, Gary Collins, the Smothers Brother,
Buddy Ebsen, and Mel Blanc, and musicians Hal Kemp, Buddy Rogers, and Jimmy
Van Husen were members of DeMolay.
Then there are authors such as John Steinbeck and William L. Shirer.
Or astronauts Frank Borman and Vance Brand.
And sportsmen such as Fran Tarkenton, Bob Mathias, Tom Osborne, Dallas Green,
Alvin Dark, Don Budge and Harmon Killebrew.
And while these famous alumni are all to the credit of the Order, the really important
point is that we have produced hundreds of thousands of well-trained leaders and
good citizens over the years who now serve our country in every vocation or field of
endeavor.
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