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On the Morning of Tuesday June 13, members of your PA DeMolay leadership team sneaked out of the state by airplane on their way to Seattle, Washington. Their mission was to attend the 2006 DeMolay International Congress and International Supreme Council Sessions.

The team consisted of Alex Fizz SMC, Justin Dunmire DSMC, David Labagh SSC, "Dad" Thomas Labagh EO, "Dad" Sam Williamson, "Dad" Ray Gottschall, "Dad" Randy Knapp, "Dad" James Ray, "Dad" Chris Tecklenberg, and "Dad" John Winkleman.

Congratulations are in order for Brothers James D. Conner and J. Nathaniel Stallings, who were elected the 40th International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary, respectively, and for "Dad" Keith Klein, the 86th Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay, who took the time to remind everyone that DeMolay is a character-building and leadership organization.

It wasn't all business in Seattle, however. We took the opportunity to visit the Seattle Fish Market, which had a great deal to offer besides fish, including leather stores, jewelry stores, and book stores (isn't it called a Fish Market, though?). We even got to see a museum with a pair of shoes worn by DeMolay member Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in recorded history. We also took the opportunity to get to know our brethren from around the world, including members from Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Germany, and Italy. We broke the ice with late-night trips to Denny's, where the only rule was that the first one to fall asleep had to pick up the tab (Sorry Alex).

Not even the business of DeMolay International could stop the evolution of brotherhood. While we were in meetings and spending time with brothers from all across the world; another of our brothers 3,000 miles away, Bobby Getschel, of Pilgrim Chapter in Floral Park, New York, passed away suddenly at the age of 17 from a heart attack.

The next day the evolution began, and we as an Order chose to act. A
memorial fund was begun in New York in honor of Bobby. Our new "Jacques" mascot and the State Officers of Pennsylvania saw the opportunity to give the fund its start. Jacques posed for pictures and took donations totalling $513, that would be used to establish the memorial fund for our late brother. The thoughts and prayers of all PA DeMolays go out to Bobby's friends and family.

The Jacques Mascot was also a big hit with Session-goers, even making an appearance in a kilt in honor of the outgoing Grand Master's Scottish heritage.

The week proved to be fun and allowed us to serve DeMolay at the same time; it was almost too difficult to pry ourselves away when we departed on the 18. We're looking forward to working closely with our new Congress Officers and Grand Master during the next year. We hope to see everybody again at next year's session in St. Louis!

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