The Active Legion of Honor is DeMolay’s way of recognizing outstanding Senior DeMolays who have rendered exceptional service to humanity, excelled in their chosen profession, or manifested the ideals of our order in their daily actions.
Hi Dad! recounts how “Dad” Land was reading Plutarch’s Lives and read about the immortal 10th Legion, and in his mind the legion and honor became synonymous. Working with “Dad” Marshall and “Dad” Boyce they designed the Legion of Honor and was approved by the Supreme Council. The first investiture took place on May 28, 1926 upon 15 men aged 20-25.
Hi Dad! recounts how “Dad” Land was reading Plutarch’s Lives and read about the immortal 10th Legion, and in his mind the legion and honor became synonymous. Working with “Dad” Marshall and “Dad” Boyce they designed the Legion of Honor and was approved by the Supreme Council. The first investiture took place on May 28, 1926 upon 15 men aged 20-25.
Some things have changed in ninety-six years. You need to now be 25 years old to be eligible and the ceremony is public. One thing has not. When we look to the Legion of Honor, we want to show our Active DeMolays, men that they can emulate, men who when they were young knelt and take upon themselves the obligation of being a better son, a better friend, and a better person.
The nomination process for the Legion of Honor takes many steps, starting with the drafting of a nomination. Then a thorough review of the nomination by the Executive Officer, a review by the Honors and Awards Committee of DeMolay International, and finally the unanimous vote of all of the Class 1 Active Members of DeMolay International at the annual Supreme Council Session. This process is highly confidential with significant penalties for breaches of confidentiality.
Our state is so vast and our alumni ranks rather large that some names may be unfamiliar. Below you will find a very brief vignette of each of this year’s Active Legion of Honor honorees. It is hard to capture in a few brief sentences all of the great work these outstanding men have done, and will continue to do. When we look to these men, we can see men worthy of our emulation and we can point to our active DeMolays and say “Be like that man!”
Please join me in congratulating them!
“Dad” & Br. Keith E. Dash: A Senior DeMolay from Ridge Council, Br. Dash was well known as an active DeMolay for his love of DeMolay and his exceptional skill as a ritualist. These lessons that he learned early on in life have followed him through. He has been an active Member of both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Masonry. As the presiding officer of the Royal Arch, a title called High Priest, Br. Dash has helped to strengthen the bonds between our two great fraternities.
“Dad” & Br. John Gallant: A Senior DeMolay from New Hampshire, Br. Gallant currently provides senior executive leadership to the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, commonly known as the Cryptic Masons as their Most Illustrious Grand Master. “Dad” Gallant has been a critical supporter for all three youth orders and sets an example worthy of our emulation.
“Dad” & Brother Richard L. Giordano: A Senior DeMolay from Pilgrim Chapter, Br. Giordano served on the local, regional and state level. Br. Giordano has gone on to serve in a number of positions within the Masonic Fraternity, including serving as Staff Officer and on several committees. He is currently serving as the Worshipful Master of Jacques DeMolay Lodge.
“Dad” & Br. Keith E. Dash: A Senior DeMolay from Ridge Council, Br. Dash was well known as an active DeMolay for his love of DeMolay and his exceptional skill as a ritualist. These lessons that he learned early on in life have followed him through. He has been an active Member of both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Masonry. As the presiding officer of the Royal Arch, a title called High Priest, Br. Dash has helped to strengthen the bonds between our two great fraternities.
“Dad” & Br. John Gallant: A Senior DeMolay from New Hampshire, Br. Gallant currently provides senior executive leadership to the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, commonly known as the Cryptic Masons as their Most Illustrious Grand Master. “Dad” Gallant has been a critical supporter for all three youth orders and sets an example worthy of our emulation.
“Dad” & Brother Richard L. Giordano: A Senior DeMolay from Pilgrim Chapter, Br. Giordano served on the local, regional and state level. Br. Giordano has gone on to serve in a number of positions within the Masonic Fraternity, including serving as Staff Officer and on several committees. He is currently serving as the Worshipful Master of Jacques DeMolay Lodge.
“Dad” & Brother Nicholas J. Glassman: A Senior DeMolay from Round Hill Chapter, Br. Glassman has a tremendously successful career in the computer tech industry. In addition to his many professional accomplishments He has served the Southern Tier as an Assistant Grand Lecturer and a Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge.
“Dad” & Brother Dr. Robert A. Hewson: A Senior DeMolay from The University Chapter, Br. Hewson is a world famous and accomplished podiatrist. He is a Diplomate of the American board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Hewson serves on the Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association of Western New York. Dr. Hewson served as a trustee of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory and currently serves as President of the Masonic Medical Research Institute.
“Dad” & Brother Kyle Justice: A Senior DeMolay from Fidelity Chapter, Br. Justice has a tremendously successful career in the information technology sector. He meets the needs of both internal and external stakeholders and sets a great example of success. He translates into his daily life the lessons and values of DeMolay.
“Dad” & Brother Giovanni Anthony Lucero: A Senior DeMolay from Knickerbocker Chapter, Br. Lucero has had a tremendously successful career in the information technology sector. Br. Lucero’s masonic record is many and varied including service to the Blue Lodge, the York Rite, and service across both New Jersey and New York. He is also actively involved in developing the future leaders of DeMolay with his service to Knickerbocker Chapter.
“Dad” & Brother Charles Raymond Murdock: A Senior DeMolay from W. Parker Smith Chapter, Br. Murdock is now living in Arizona and does activities with Arizona DeMolay. He continues to let the Light of DeMolay shine and inspires us all to greater service.
“Dad” & Brother Dr. Robert A. Hewson: A Senior DeMolay from The University Chapter, Br. Hewson is a world famous and accomplished podiatrist. He is a Diplomate of the American board of Podiatric Surgery. Dr. Hewson serves on the Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association of Western New York. Dr. Hewson served as a trustee of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory and currently serves as President of the Masonic Medical Research Institute.
“Dad” & Brother Kyle Justice: A Senior DeMolay from Fidelity Chapter, Br. Justice has a tremendously successful career in the information technology sector. He meets the needs of both internal and external stakeholders and sets a great example of success. He translates into his daily life the lessons and values of DeMolay.
“Dad” & Brother Giovanni Anthony Lucero: A Senior DeMolay from Knickerbocker Chapter, Br. Lucero has had a tremendously successful career in the information technology sector. Br. Lucero’s masonic record is many and varied including service to the Blue Lodge, the York Rite, and service across both New Jersey and New York. He is also actively involved in developing the future leaders of DeMolay with his service to Knickerbocker Chapter.
“Dad” & Brother Charles Raymond Murdock: A Senior DeMolay from W. Parker Smith Chapter, Br. Murdock is now living in Arizona and does activities with Arizona DeMolay. He continues to let the Light of DeMolay shine and inspires us all to greater service.
“Dad” & Brother Nicholas A. Portera: A Senior DeMolay from Richmond Chapter, Br. Portera helps people. Working for the City of New York in emergency services, Br. Portera has helped the nation’s largest city through the COVID19 Crisis and ensure the health and safety of all New Yorkers. Br. Portera has also been critical in the development and updating of New York DeMolay health and safety policies, and serving as our on site safety director at many events.
“Dad” & Brother Gerald E. Putman: A Senior DeMolay from Johnson City Chapter, Br. Putman is the Executive Director of the Dr. G. Clifford and Florence B. Decker Foundation. In this role, Br. Putman helps to make the world a better place by helping organizations improve the educational, medical and quality of human life in Broome County and the Southern Tier. Br. Putman is a past potentate of Kelurah Shriners where he helped to support Shriners International in making a difference in the lives of others.
“Dad” & Brother Daniel B. Saville: A Senior DeMolay from Burgoyne Chapter, Br. Saville went on to serve America through the United States Navy. Returning home and running his own contracting business. Br. Saville has been incredibly active with Shriners international in their community outreach and engagement. Through his many good and great works, Shriners have been able to better help and serve children in need.