Sweethearts, Moms, Brethren and Friends:

Missouri DeMolay was truly represented in an outstanding fashion at the 2007 International Supreme Council Session in St. Louis, Missouri this past week. Our State Master Councilor Cory Meyer and Deputy State Master Councilor Justin Woods were delegates at the International Congress Session and were the best DeMolay leaders there. They were the DeMolays that everyone approached to find out how to build DeMolay and make it as great as Missouri DeMolay.

We are most pleased to advise that the following were unanimously elected to membership in the International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay:

Dad Ralph Sturdevant - Active Member - International Supreme Council

Dad Roger Salyer - Active Member - International Supreme Council

Dad Rodney Pensel - Deputy Member - International Supreme Council

Missouri DeMolay and its members were also awarded with the following Outstanding Awards:

The coveted Louis A. Lower Membership Award for the #1 Overall Membership for DeMolay International in 2006 - this is the second year in a row Missouri DeMolay has achieved this Award - it is the Top Award for Membership granted by DeMolay International.

The Frank S. Land Membership Growth Award for Missouri DeMolay securing more initiates than majorities in 2006 and contributing to the membership efforts of DeMolay International - Missouri DeMolay was also the #1 Jurisdiction receiving this Award - now for the third year in a row.

Missouri DeMolay received the Outstanding Communications Award - for the Most Outstanding website.

Select individuals were honored with the Chevalier, Legion of Honor, Honorary Legion of Honor, and Cross of Honor. The entire list will be posted on the web site. Missouri DeMolay had more honorees than any other Jurisdiction.

The Grand Master's Eagle Awards were presented at the Hall of Fame Banquet and Missouri DeMolay received three Eagles this year, which is unprecedented in the history of DeMolay International. The Eagles were awarded for the following:

The Grand Master's Builders Award - recognizing the best overall performance in Membership. Missouri DeMolay was not only the overall winner for the most members, but also for positive net growth, and new Chapters. In the past four years Missouri DeMolay's net growth is more than twice any other Jurisdiction in the world, and just recently, Missouri DeMolay has posted more new members than any other Jurisdiction in the world. This is a first for Missouri DeMolay in DeMolay history.

The Grand Master's Excellence in Communications Award - recognizing the best overall Jurisdictional Communications. We extend our appreciation to Mom Carolyn Woods for her never-ending love and devotion to DeMolay and this year for getting our website back to excellence. We also recognize Dads Jeff Kitsmiller, Jr. and Dad Dave Koyn for all of their technical assistance in making our website the best. These three have dedicated more time and effort on a daily basis for the benefit of everyone!

The Grand Master's Benefactor Award - for outstanding fraternal support and cooperation to the Order of DeMolay.

Our Masonic Family was also recognized in several ways throughout the week. Our own Grand Master of Masons Robert Berger was called upon first to address the entire DeMolay International assembly and he praised Missouri DeMolay for the outstanding work it is doing and the tremendous brotherhood and fraternal relations among the Masonic Youth and other Masonic organizations in Missouri.

Supreme Inspector Mom Catherine Dent represented Rainbow Girls International and expressed her heartfelt congratulations to Missouri DeMolay, the Grand Lodge of Missouri and how we work as a family in Missouri.

Dad Douglas Maxwell, an Honorary Member of the International Supreme Council, and soon to be Imperial Potentate of the Shrine of North America presented a dynamic speech to all, again praising the efforts of Missouri DeMolay and the goodness that is prevailing throughout our fraternity.

Two of the brightest highlights of the Session were the Squires Induction performed by the Missouri DeMolay State Squires, and the DeMolay Degrees conferred by Missouri DeMolays from around the State, under the direction of Dad Steve Pelak and the Advisors from Mineral Area Chapter. State Master Councilor Cory Meyer also performed an outstanding Ceremony of Light presentation. All in attendance, including the Grand Master of DeMolay International expressed that these were the finest Ritual and Ceremonies ever witnessed. They were, indeed, truly outstanding - even at 1:00 a.m. this morning. We welcome Brothers Mackenzie Czarnecki and Adam Frigerio of Progression Chapter who joined DeMolay at this special Initiation.

Missouri DeMolay was also honored as your Executive Officer was elected Grand Junior Councilor of DeMolay International. If all goes well, we will have a Grand Master of DeMolay from Missouri at the 90th Anniversary of DeMolay International, which will be held at the birthplace of DeMolay in Kansas City Missouri. It is a distinct honor to serve you and DeMolay International.

A special thanks goes out to Dad Jeff Kitsmiller, Sr. for his tireless, selfless, and unparalleled dedication to DeMolay. He and his Staff at DeMolay International made this a most outstanding and memorable occasion for everyone.

We were also blessed to share this great occasion with our Sweethearts, Moms, Dads, and guests from our various Scottish Rite Valleys from around the State. We sincerely appreciate the support from our Scottish Rite Family and look forward to more brotherhood and events with the Scottish Rite. Blake Feese, our Scottish Rite NASCAR driver was present with the Scottish Rite Race car, which everyone enjoyed. Brothers Dean Alban and Stan Dodd, Directors from the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, were the highlights of the Master Classes presented to the DeMolay leaders.

Our good Brother Howie Damron was present at the Hall of Fame Banquet and sung with a graceful spirit our new DeMolay song: "I'm living DeMolay." It is probably on You Tube at this time, but will hopefully be going to the studio for the real deal in the next several weeks. This was a magical performance by Brother Damron!

We were also blessed to have Dad and Brother Ronald A. Seale, Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite, inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. Dad Seale's remarks were the quintessential pinnacle of the evening. With humility and resound sincerity his message was simple, yet powerful: "All I did was show up at DeMolay" - things just happened from there. Dad Seale is making things happen today throughout our country and the world. Yet, it began with just "showing up." If our program is implemented correctly, great things will happen - for everyone - just show up!

Missouri DeMolay is again #1 in the world of DeMolay in Membership, New Chapters, Honors and Programs in 2007. We have many jurisdictions that have "promised" that they will beat us in membership this year. It is up to each one of us to continue to share DeMolay with our relatives, friends, and our communities. No jurisdiction has had over 300 new members in one year in well over a decade. Can we do it?

We have many activities coming up, in addition, to all the Chapter events. Please take the time to visit www.modemolay.org and check out all the great events scheduled on the Calendar.

Congratulations to everyone who made 2006 (and 2007, so far) a tremendous success and who continue to dedicate themselves each day to building Missouri DeMolay.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Dad Cockerham

Check out a few pictures