Category Archives: Patriotic Events

Independence Day Parade – Caldwell

02 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Assembly News, Caldwell NC July 4th Parade

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Assembly Caldwell 2012 (6)As the Patriotic Degree, our Knights participate in local and area patriotic events.  Our next event is the Caldwell Community Independence Day Parade on July 4th.

Caldwell is a very small rural community near Rougemont.  We will join the Durham Assembly for the parade that forms at the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Station 10:15 a.m. and starts at 11 a.m. at NC Hwy 57 at Guess Road.

Our group  leads the parade and, therefore, is first to finish.  We then gather along the roadway by the community center to watch the nearly one hour parade come by.

There are lots of floats, horses, trucks, cars, antique vehicles, farm equipment, bicycles, lots of kids and tossed candy.

Our members and their families are invited to join local veterans for a light picnic.  Please bring something to share.  Hot dogs, hamburgers, and cold water is provided by the members of Chapel Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9100.

Waving the Flag in Yanceyville

12 Friday Dec 2014

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Our degree is know as the “Patriotic Degree.”  It was started in 1900 shortly after patriotism was added to the principles of the Knights of Columbus.  About 1,100 knights joined together to form the the Fourth Degree in New York City.

We demonstrate the patriotism of catholic men by participating in, sponsoring, and hosting patriotic events.  We demonstrate to others our faith and heritage.  Some events are formal, but others are just plain fun.

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Rain could not stop these veterans from the parade!

Sir Knight Lee Heavlin recently participated in a Caswell County Christmas Parade where area veterans joined Yanceyville veterans to lead the town’s annual Christmas Parade.  He took along his granddaughter, Leanna, for the event.  And, even though it rained that morning, the sun came out during their march.

Leanna Long (left) enjoying the parade

Leanna Long (left) enjoying the parade

Where you find knights, you will find family!  How about you?  Are you demonstrating your faith by participating in charitable, church, community and civic events?

Veterans Day at our School

09 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Assembly News, Patriotic Events

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The St. Thomas More School is having a Veterans Day event on Tuesday.  Here is what is going on…

School Kids Veterans Day 2013Armed Forces personnel are invited to participate in and be honored at a ceremony at the school on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, November 11th.
Veterans, servicemen, servicewomen, active duty personnel, ROTC students, current and former National Guard personnel are invited.
Guests are asked to arrive at the school between 7:15 and 7:30 a.m. on the 11th.  There will be a brief ceremony indoors followed by a flag raising ceremony outside (weather permitting), then coffee and light refreshments.  It should be over by 8:30 a.m., although a few teachers may be requesting some participants to visit their classrooms.
St. Thomas More School is located on Fordham Boulevard (NC 15-501) in Chapel Hill.  The school address is 920 Carmichael St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.  Map

STM Students Honor Veterans – Nov 12th

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Knights of Columbus, Patriotic Events, Veterans Day

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November 12th – St. Thomas More School.  St. Thomas More School has invited Armed Forces personnel and veterans to participate in and be honored at a ceremony at the school on Tuesday, November 12th (the day after Veterans’ Day).  This is a very big event and, as you can see from these photos from 2012, everyone participates.  It is a fun event that will create a few tears as the youngest students hoist Old Glory and salutes our flag.

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The students welcome veterans, servicemen, servicewomen, active duty personnel, current and former National Guard personnel, etc.  Those willing to participate would need to arrive at the school between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. on the 12th.  They plan a brief ceremony indoors followed by a flag raising ceremony outside (weather permitting), then coffee and light refreshments.  It should be over by 8:30 a.m., although a few teachers may be requesting some participants to visit their classrooms.

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As members of the Patriotic Degree, all Sir Knights are asked to participate and support this important school event.

The school would appreciate it if you would share this invitation with your friends and neighbors who are veterans and any one else that you think might be interested and willing to participate.  Those willing to participate should please email the program coordinator at  bedford2@mindspring.com.

Participants should please send  their name and a brief summary of their military service.  The coordinator needs that information by noon on Friday, November 8th, so that he can forward it to the school.  They need an accurate count to make proper arrangements for the morning activities.

 

Building Traditions

08 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in Assembly News, Caldwell NC July 4th Parade, Patriotic Events

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Nearly ten years ago, our assembly members put on their full regalia in 95+ degree weather to lead a patriotic parade in Caldwell, North Carolina.  This was when our members were part of Msgr. Francis K. O’Brien Assembly 2254 in Burlington.  We are still joining area veterans to lead this annual community parade.

Now, with the addition of Msgr. William O’Brien Assembly 3365 in Durham, we continue our tradition, but support Assembly 3365.  They are located near Caldwell in northern Durham at St. Matthew’s Church.

What did you do on July 4th?  Did you watch pouring rain in parts of Durham and Orange County?  It was clear and dry in Caldwell!  Well, we did have a few sun showers that provided a cooling mist, but little more.  Read more about the parade and view a video of this year’s event on the Chapel Hill VFW Post 9100 website.  Link

Read more about the History of Caldwell Parade and our Assembly

Click on a picture to enlarge and view as a slideshow.

Sharing the Vision

04 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by in Caldwell NC July 4th Parade, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Exemplification, Heroes Homecoming, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard, Programs

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The Knights of the Fourth Degree are all members of a local council.  Their assembly is not senior to the council, but an adjunct to the council.  An assembly promotes all things patriotic in the council, church, and community.  We are the Patriotic Degree of our Order.  Learn more

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Knights at Holy Cross Church Mass

This is our mission and it has been our mission for over a hundred years.  We are “Religiously Devoted, Patriotically Proud.”

Our assemblies are in every state of the union and overseas in areas where our military serve or have served.

Assembly members are often also members of other patriotic and fraternal military service groups. Examples are: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled Veterans of America, American Legion, Fleet Reserve and others.  They know the importance of good citizenship, service to our country, and demonstration of our patriotism as Catholic Gentlemen.  

This past year has been a busy one for many of them.  Here are some of their accomplishments:

  • Raised well over $4,500 on Veterans Day 2012 for hospitalized amputees at Camp Lejeune and Ft. Bragg..
  • Visited and entertained hospitalized veterans in hospice and pallative care at the Durham VA Medical Center.
  • Worked with UNC Chapel Hill to collect food for homeless veterans.
  • Provided information to veterans and their families on VA medical care.
  • Provided assistance to veterans with VA disability claims.
  • Provided funeral honors for deceased knights and area priests.
  • Provide honor guards to St. Thomas More Church, as requested.
  • Serve as Honor Guard for Bishop Burbridge’s ceremonials
  • Raised thousands of dollars passing out VFW Buddy Poppies to assist hospitalized veterans and fund in-hospital social events; restore a Carrboro veteran’s home and replace his roof, and assisted returning veterans in need.
  • Assisted an injured and convalescing 92 year-old veteran with home repair needs and arranged for no-cost metal stairwell railings for his home exterior walkways.
  • Led community parades in Rougemont, Timberlake, and Providence, North Carolina.
  • Led the Caldwell, NC, July 4th Parade in full regalia for the last seven years.
  • Raised funds for and obtained the Baptist Health Ministry mobile health and dental care centers for our local Spanish-speaking families.
  • Personally funded programs, events, and services to ensure those in need were served.
  • Promoted Good Citizenship in our Catholic and community schools.
  • Provided household goods, food, services and transportation to brother knights and members of our church and community in need.
  • Provided pig picking equipment, service, and personal time for church events, picnics, and fundraising.
  • Served on church committees and led elements of our new church building campaigns, including design, construction and dedication.
  • Served as leaders in local civic, professional, and military service organizations.
  • Cleaned Highways in Orange County

This list goes on, and on, and on.  In fact, their humility is such that many of their deeds go unrecorded.  What they do is not about them.  It has to do with service to others.

Eighty plus men form our Divine Mercy Assembly.  They are the leaders in our church.  All will be life-long members of our Order.  They are the very heart of the Knights of Columbus.

There are 20 million new Catholics in America.  I would like to think that our Knights of the Fourth Degree motivated quite a few converts through their selfless acts of faith.

How about you?   Why not consider joining these men?  There is no better expression of service than to be a role model for your children and family.  We’ll give you the opportunity to do great things for others.

For information, contact Joe Acciarito our Faithful Navigator.  Email Joe

Another Great Day in Caldwell

04 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by in Caldwell NC July 4th Parade, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly, Knights of Columbus Honor Guard

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There is something about parades.  They make you stand up and stand straight as Old Glory is carried past.  Just imagine the excitement of participating in a parade, let alone lead it!

A special thanks goes to all of the assembly members who headed to Caldwell to join other veterans and veterans groups as they participated in this year’s parade.  Our “children” and their new family of Sir Knights at St. Matthews were out in full force and led this year’s parade.  Local veterans from Chapel Hill, Durham, Hillsborough and nearby towns followed as contingents from the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America.

lot of work went into providing a military honor guard for the Caldwell Parade.  Thanks goes to everyone who has helped.  There were hours of shopping for food, food prep and family dishes, washing and waxing of cars and trucks, getting up extra early to get on the road for the 20+ mile trip, preparing uniforms, and setting up the cook tents.  But it was worth it!

We have been doing it since about 2005 when our Sir Knight Heavlin was asked to help the Durham Fleet Reserve Branch 52.  Branch 52 had been leading the parade for about 20 plus years, but their honor guard members were entering their 80′s!  The Burlington Knights of Columbus Msgr. Francis K. O’Brien Assembly provided knights in full regalia and we were able to help the Fleet Reserve continue their tradition.

Sir Knights have been doing the Caldwell parade ever since.  With the Knights of Columbus help, local veterans were able to create some excitement and gain new participants.  Sir Knight David Lucas has added the support of the Chapel Hill Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Knights of Columbus has continued to participate and this year a new Durham Assembly members stepped forward to lead the parade!  Caldwell is just about five miles from St. Matthews Church.

Here are a few pictures of today’s event.  Put it on your calendar for next year!

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Dinner with fellow Knights

30 Monday Jan 2012

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Our January dinner was a resounding success with 63 people in attendance.  No, the numbers are not what made it a success, it was the camaraderie.  When the meal was done and comments made, many stayed on for another half hour to chat with others at their table.

If you were not there, here are a few pictures of what you missed in the way of a fabulous meal, expertly prepared and served.

Vietnam Veterans Honored

14 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in Heroes Homecoming

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Fayetteville put on a one week show to honor all Vietnam veterans. Many remembered that their welcome home was less than expected, to say the least.

That memory was what the town of Fayetteville worked hard to erase. The week was filled with parades, exhibits, honors, music, fun, and recognition. In the midst of it all were Knights of the Fourth Degree serving in honor guards.

Not Too Hot to Celebrate our Birthday

04 Monday Jul 2011

Posted by in Caldwell NC July 4th Parade, Chapel Hill Knights of Columbus Assembly

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It was our sixth year at Caldwell and the temperature was forecast as hot, hot, hot. The call went out to dress down for the parade and just wear our branded golf shirts.  “No Way!” was the answer.  “We are ready for full regalia!”  And that is what our color corps did!

The temperature was hot and set to reach 97 degrees, but there was a gentle breeze from the north and we had wind to our face and flags blowing in the wind.  What a sight. 

As we waited on the side of the road for the parade to form, we watch the unofficial Caldwell Air Force do its annual flyover.  The color corps chatted with fellow veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.  There was even a three-generation family of veterans in the parade and several two generation families, too.

Gil Montoya, Grand Marshal, receives salute.

Our families were waiting anxiously at the Caldwell Community Center and we were ready to take the one mile journey.

Gil Montoya was late and had to divert to the community center and catch a ride back to be with us in the parade, but he was blocked because the parade was about to move.  We found him at the NC 57 parade start point with his Uncle Sam red, white and blue cap.  You could not miss him and his smiling face, then it happened.

The parade MC asked, “Who do we have who is seven or older?,” as he looked over toward Gil.  “You, come on over here,” he said and he motioned to Gil.  After a brief introduction and learning that Gil was with the Knights of Columbus Divine Mercy Assembly, Gil was declared the official parade Grand Marshal.  What an honor and we were all proud to hear him talk about the patriotism of the Fourth Degree.

 We were the lead in the parade, so we were able to watch the rest of the participants come in.  The march for us was 22 minutes and the parade lasted 44 minutes. 

There were hot dogs, beans, watermelon, cakes,  pies and lots of other treats for the 80+ attendees.  This is about 25% more than last year.  Lots and lots of new people and family are joining us for one of the best kept secrets of Orange County.  The Caldwell July 4th Parade.  How about you?  Will we see you next year?

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