February
20, 1984. A young man who just turned 14
showed up to this old building downtown and was told to
wear red socks. Ok, now as most 14 year olds are,
I was a little self conscious to start with but red socks? “It’s
ok brother…. it’s a tradition.” I
was told. And why is this guy who I don’t know
calling me brother? This room smells like old people
and wait a minute…. a blindfold? Oh boy….
Mikey…what did you get yourself into this time?
20
years later…the
hair is different, the music is different but DeMolay
is timeless.
Despite
a 20-year difference, Pikers then and now have one common
thread. The chapter. DeMolay teaches
us many wonderful things. The most important thing,
I feel, is brotherhood. One of the most important
things we learn though is that no matter how long you go
without attending a meeting, how long its been since you
did ritual or how many years pass, as a DeMolay you can
come back in at anytime and be welcomed as if you never
left. I learned this in 2001 when I came back to
the chapter after a seven-year hiatus.
In
the Fourth Preceptor ritual, we speak of comradeship. This
is something that you will learn is the precept you will
see the most in your life. As a DeMolay you can go
to all 50 states and find a brother, a meal and a place
to stay. I look at whom I am close to in my life
and all I see is DeMolay. The thing is, I didn’t
do that on purpose. It just happened. I made
the joke at my wedding that we had enough firepower in
attendance to do the “three I’s” Initiation,
installation and investiture. You just find so many
people who you want to be around. You may not think
you have any common interests but you have a thread that
links you. DeMolay.
We
have young men who excel at sports and computers, who
are from the city and the country, black, white and Hispanic
but we all come together as brothers. My favorite
example is Jason Wickery and John Pandzik. Jason
is a star in sports…John is a self-titled computer
geek. In a lot of places, these two would not associate
and there might even be some harsh feelings. Not
in Albert Pike. If John were in trouble, Jason would
not think twice about having his back, and vice versa.
DeMolay
is different now than when I took my obligation. However
people seem to thing different seems to mean better. That
is not the case. There are fewer chapters now then
there were then. Pike is still here and still strong. Good
chapters adapt to changing times. You young men have
many more ways to communicate. Back in the day…it
was all the phone, the home phone. A mobile phone
meant you had a cordless! Now you have home phones,
cell phones, pagers, email and instant messages. Take
advantage of that. There is no excuse to not be well
informed. I know that you sometimes hear the “kids
today are dumber” or the “kids today are slackers” Guys,
we heard that too and it was just as much junk then as
it is now. This chapter has survived 84 years with
young men just like you and they were deemed slackers too! Until
they proved everyone wrong.
Now
it’s
your turn.
Before
I wrap this up, I want to thank a few people. Reese
Harrison, Paul Tolar, Jim Bruner, the late Earl Frandsen,
Carl Juante, Sid Shaenfield, Martin and Mike Virgil,
and Larry Wallis. These
gentlemen were my advisors when I was growing up and I
thank them for their guidance and inspiration and apologize
for any heartburn I may have caused them as a teenager.
My “crew” from
back in the day.
Buzzy
Barker, Archie Damon, Mike Lavender, Jay McCracken, JW
Murphy, James Rodriguez, John Salmans and Colia Wiles. Guys,
we did a lot of great things together for this chapter
and I am a better person for knowing all of you.
The “next crew”. These young men took
the torch and carried it into the ‘90’s and
grew into outstanding leaders. Pete Alanis, Erick
Romero, Sean Palen, George Pandzik, Doug Van Griner, and
Mark Williams.
Finally
the current crop of 21st century Pikers who have made
everything I do as an advisor worthwhile. Young
men such as Steven Beasley, Nate Deel, Josh Esquivel, Jonathan
Huth, Chris Kircher, Tyler Jackson, Ryan Russe, John Pandzik,
Jason Wickery and Colin Wragg. You will help shape
the future of this chapter. If you follow three things,
this chapter will live forever.
Honor those who came before you,
Respect those who are with you,
And inspire those who will come after you.
As I start my 21st year in DeMolay I know that the experience
is just beginning.
Here
is to the next 20.
Peace
