Gillilan to head Alaska Masons’ program for young men

THE LOG STAFF

July 03, 2008 at 1:40PM AKST

There’s a new Masonic Lodge representative in town.

Dale Gillilan of Seward was appointed personal representative for the state of Alaska by Patton Hart, grandmaster of the International Supreme Council Order of DeMolay.

Gillilan, who is master of the Masonic Lodge in Seward and member of the Kenai lodge, will be responsible for overseeing all DeMolay chapters in the state.

Gillilan is also a member of the Kenaitze Indian Tribal Justice Council and teaches martial arts for the tribe’s Yaghanen youth program.

“I am very passionate about helping our youth realize their inner power so they can have meaningful lives,” Gillilan said. “I have seen the impact DeMolay can have on young men, including my own son, and am excited and honored to help this program grow in Alaska.”

DeMolay is an international organization for young men founded by Freemasons in 1919. It focuses on developing civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills through hands-on experience. Open to males between 12 and 20, it is one of the several Masonic organizations geared for boys and girls.

“Masonry is for the whole family,” Gillilan said. “It is designed to make all participants better citizens by being more ethical, more responsible and more involved.”