About

Florida Knighthood

KNIGHTHOOD

The Order of Knighthood is an appendant organization of older DeMolays who are between 16 and 21 years of age; and are organized into a subordinate unit known as a Priory, with its own officers and ritual.

PRIORY

Colonel James Nicholas "Nick" Rowe, a DeMolay of M.P. James Chapter in McAllen, Texas, and the Priory's namesake, was one of only thirty-four American prisoners of war to escape captivity during the Vietnam War.

EVENTS

Florida Knighthood sponsors three events throughout the year. They are: Cotillion, Spring Fest and Convocation. Also, Florida Knighthood is very active at DeMolay Florida Conclave and Mini-Conclave.

The main functions of a Priory are to:


  • Extend and assist the Order of DeMolay and its Chapters

  • Maintain the active interest of older DeMolays

  • Provide an interesting program for the Priory members

  • Above all to provide and maintain a proper example for all DeMolays


Resources

Downloads

Our History

About Col. James Nicholas "Nick" Rowe

The DeMolay Florida Knighthood Priory is named in memory of Colonel James “Nick” Rowe who, while on active duty as Ground Forces Director for the US Military Advisory Group, Philippines, was shot and killed on 21 April 1989. The naming of Florida’s State Priory represents an expression of appreciation and respect for his contributions to the Special Forces Community, his nation, and DeMolay.

Nick Rowe was born in McAllen, Texas, 8 February 1938. He graduated from McAllen High School in 1956. He was an active DeMolay during his school years. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1960 with a second lieutenant’s commission in the Field Artillery. During the next three years, he completed the Field Artillery Officer’s Basic Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, Chinese Mandarin School, and served with the 7th Special Forces group (Airborne).

In July 1963, Lt. Rowe deployed to South Viet Nam. On 29 October 1963, while with Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha-23, he was captured in a fire fight with the Viet Cong. Kept in confinement for five years, Lt. Rowe remained faithful to his God, country, DeMolay ideals and the Special Forces. Marked for death, he escaped on the eve of his execution.

Returning to active duty, Maj. Rowe served with the Defense Intelligence Agency until his resignation in 1974. Recalled to active duty in 1981, Lt. Col. Rowe returned to Fort Bragg where he created the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) Course. He later commanded the 1st Special Warfare Training Battalion (Airborne) until his assignment to the Philippines.

Col. Rowe’s awards and decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 8 campaign stars, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, His DeMolay honors include the Active Legion of Honor, and membership in the International DeMolay Hall of Fame.

Past Leaders

Past Illustrious Knight Commanders



  • 1990-1991 Jason Craig
  • 1991-1992 Ronald A. DeLucia
  • 1992-1993 Clarke L. Jeffris
  • 1993-1994 Scot T. Meadows
  • 1994-1995 Michael J. “Judd” Greer
  • 1995-1996 Joseph C. Earnhardt, Jr. K of T
  • 1996-1997 Zack H. Enos, PIKC-MSA
  • 1997-1998 Michael A. Sullivan
  • 1998-1999 James “Jimmy” Braddam
  • 1999-2000 R. Jordan “Jody” Meguiar, K of T, PIKC-MSA
  • 2000-2001 Corey A. Allshouse
  • 2001-2002 Timothy A. Ferenchik, K of T
  • 2002-2003 Jonathan Warren
  • 2003-2004 Ian F. Berry, K of T
  • 2004-2005 Joseph C. Nolin, PIKC-MSA
  • 2005-2006 Charles E. Woody, PIKC-MSA
  • 2006-2007 Gregor McAlpin Berry
  • 2007-2008 Brian “JR” Ferdon
  • 2008-2010 Jesse J. Knafla, K of T, PIKC-MSA
  • 2010-2011 Jerrod Threadgill
  • 2011-2012 Brendon M. Blankinship, PIKC-MSA
  • 2012-2013 McLean Haughey, PIKC-MSA
  • 2013-2014 Brian Catalano, PIKC-MSA
  • 2014 Keaton Fraticelli
  • 2015 James A. Cole
  • 2015-2016 Mark Donahue
  • 2016-2017 Jackson Cowart
  • 2017-2018 Ryan Holland
  • 2018-2019 Robert Morrison
  • 2019-2020 Connor Guimond

Past Priory Princesses



  • Brooks Greer
  • Tracie Livingston
  • Teresa Cook
  • Brenda (Gay) Sullivan
  • Shanna (Bunch) Hutchison
  • Jennifer Reeder
  • Sarah (Finkell) LaDolcevita
  • Brandi Anderson
  • Danielle Higginbotham
  • Kimberly (Bradley) Meguiar
  • Dara Carpenter
  • Chrystina (Langan) Hanson
  • 2006-2007 Heather McShane
  • 2007-2008 Janice (McShane) Stout
  • 2008-2009 Sydney Threadgill
  • 2009-2010 Alexandra (Stacey) Sutton
  • 2010-2011 Megan Blankinship
  • 2011-2012 Courtney Lewis
  • 2012-2013 Sarah Nelson
  • 2013-2014 Taylor Molisee
  • 2014-2015 Maggie Meguiar
  • 2015-2016 Kelsey Current
  • 2016-2017 Bethany V.
  • 2017-2018 Ally R.

First Ladies of the Priory



  • Lady Barbara Petersen
  • Lady Elaine Graulich
  • Lady Elaine Meadows
  • Lady Elizabeth “Betty” Wardell
  • Lady Diana Reeder
  • Lady Pamela Meguiar
  • Lady Barbara Sarner
  • Lady Beverly Richards
  • Lady Ellen Higginbotham
  • Lady Judy Meister
  • Lady Wadena Ferenchik
  • Lady Dianne Agster
  • Lady Kimberly Meguiar
  • Lady Francine Augello
  • Lady Claire Harlow
  • Lady Merry Berry
  • Lady April Blankinship
  • Lady Lori Hillyer
  • Lady Theresa Nelson
  • Lady Jennifer Coffey
  • Lady Ginnie Cowart
  • Lady Nancy Solman

J. G. Kicklighter “Knights of Triumverant”



  • Joseph C. Earnhardt, Jr.
  • Christopher M. McKenney
  • R. Grant Doyal
  • R. Jordan “Jody” Meguiar
  • Timothy A. Ferenchik
  • Ian F. Berry
  • Jesse J. Knafla
  • John J. Hillyer, IV

Knighthood
Grand Cross of Honor



  • W. Dale Dietzman
  • Jack Petersen
  • J. G. Kicklighter, Jr.
  • George A. Stear
  • Jerome M. “Jerry” Meguiar
  • G. Lawrence Hunt
  • Gordon L. Anderson
  • Allan J. “Al” Graulich
  • Robert “Bob” Kirkpatrick
  • Richard E. Lynn
  • Stephen M. Berry
  • William C. “Bill” Cobb
  • R. Jordan “Jody” Meguiar
  • David Aponte

Honorary Past
Illustrious Knight Commanders



  • W. Dale Dietzman
  • Anthony Pickren
  • Brandon “Buddy” Herring
  • Allan J. Graulich
  • Henry Adams

Ordre de l’Alouette



  • Lady Barbara Sarner
  • Lady Pamela Meguiar
  • Lady Kimberly Meguiar

Knights of the Order of the Cross of Jerusalem

The Order of the Cross of Jerusalem was instituted on July 16th, 2011 by Sir Knight David A. Aponte, Right Eminent Grand Commander (2011-2012).

The Grand Commandery of Florida recognizes and approves the Award of Distinction known as Knight of the Cross of Jerusalem (for Order of DeMolay Knights going above and beyond the call of duty). This award is exclusively for active DeMolays who are members of the DeMolay Order of Knighthood, not Advisors. The DeMolay Knights will be honored and knighted at their Annual Conclave. The Grand Commander may knight a maximum of seven during any given year. The knighting shall be done by the Grand Commander or his representative. The Knights of the Cross of Jerusalem will be distinguished by wearing a black and white sash with a red Cross of Jerusalem on the upper central white portion of the sash. The Knight of the Cross of Jerusalem may be allowed to wear his award at any non-tiled event or function of the Grand Commandery or a Constituent Commandery. The Grand Commandery’s Youth Committee shall be responsible for sending out the nomination form to the DeMolay Chapters in Florida and the recommendations to the Grand Commander. The Committee’s recommendations shall be submitted to the Grand Commander 30 days before the Annual Grand Conclave. The final selection shall be done by the Grand Commander prior to him leaving office. The incoming Grand Commander will be responsible to present the award.

The following Knighthood members have received this Award of Distinction:

  • 2011

    Gregor Berry - J Edwin Larson

    Brendon Blankinship - Greater Titusville

    Jesse Knafla - Paul Revere

    Jeff Meister - Escambia

    Tyler Sallee - Greater Titusville

    Jerrod Threadgill - Paul Revere

    Kevin Velazquez - Dale Chapman

  • 2012

    McLean Haughey - Paul Revere

    Justin Prowant - Dale Chapman

    Harrison Sherwin - Sarasota

  • 2013

    Canpaza "Teak" Matoax - Gainesville

  • 2014

    Martin J Cox - Oleeta West Dade

  • 2015

    Brian Catalano - Dale Chapman

  • 2016

    Jackson Cowart - John Wayne

  • 2017

    Hunter Hancock - First Coast

  • 2018

    Dylan Myers - George Ulee Lord

  • 2021

    Zackary Windsor - Edward K. Walker