As the nation watched the events of September 11, 2001, many heroes stepped forward in New York, Washington DC, and in the sky over Pennsylvania. What happened that day touched all of us, but none more than those who lost loved ones. When the members of Brookfield Chapter heard what happened, they immediately knew that there had to be DeMolays that were either killed, or had lost parents. At their Chapter meeting on September 17, the members of the Chapter voted to establish a relief fund to go to a DeMolay(s) or his family that were affected by the tragedies. They started the fund that evening by taking some funds that they had collected in "kangaroo court" type fines and passing the hat at the meeting. They also wrote letters to various Masonic groups, and the advisors visited other Lodges to try and raise funds. Donations came from individuals and groups from all over the state. While there were to many to mention, donations were received from McKinley Lodge No. 307, Elmbrook Lodge No. 354, Myron Reed Lodge No. 297, and an organization called the Mountain Men in Baraboo. (Many of the members of that organization are also members of Baraboo Lodge No. 34.) The chapter is very thankful to all that contributed. As it turns out, there were only three known senior DeMolays that were killed that day. Michael Haub, a Senior DeMolay from New York, and Jon Vandevander, a Senior DeMolay from New Jersey, were both killed in the World Trade Center in New York, and Edward Earhart, a Senior DeMolay from Kentucky was killed while working at the Pentagon in Washington DC. After consideration of the circumstances of each of the three brothers, it was decided to distribute all funds collected to the family of Brother Haub. Michael was a Senior DeMolay from Nassau Chapter in New York. He was a New York Firefighter assigned to Ladder Company No. 4 located in Times Square. A Firefighter since 1988, he had joined the FDNY in August of 1999. Having a great passion for cooking, Michael enjoyed cooking special dinners for his fellow firefighters. Michael left behind his wife Erika, and two children, Michael, 4, and Kiersten, 2. In March, New York DeMolay held a banquet in Michael Haub’s honor, where the Legion of Honor was bestowed on him posthumously. Michael’s remains were finally recovered in Wednesday, March 13. As Michael’s friend Eddie Callaghan wrote, "Michael was a son, husband, father, friend, Senior DeMolay, fellow fighter, mentor, and as his wife Erika put it – "Our Hero"!

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