Knights of Columbus, Maryland State CouncilPeter Davio, State Deputy
"Maria, fac nos semper scire"
Knights of Columbus, Maryland State Council
SK Francis "Fritz" Leach, Grand Knight
On 11 December 2010, Sir Knights from several Fourth Degree Assemblies in the Maryland District honored fallen U.S. Veterans in what SK Steve Thomas, Master of the Maryland District of the Fourth Degree, hopes will become an annual event - the laying of wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Wreaths Across America Program. This year, 24,000 wreaths were laid in four sections of Arlington National Cemetery by volunteers from across the region and the Nation. Knights from Florida, Georgia, and Texas, joined with those from Maryland, DC, and Virginia.
Over 219,000 wreaths were laid at more
than 500 cemeteries across the United States and in 24 National Veterans
cemeteries on foreign soil. Our Knights were an honored part of this effort. 2010 included the first annual wreath displays at historic
locations such as Pearl Harbor, Bunker Hill, and Valley Forge Park, in addition
to the wreath displays in New York City, yhe Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA to
remember the victims of 9/11.
Another mother, observing the Knights in action, asked how they knew Michael. Mrs. Sandy Lockwood from Ohio, explained that her son and SGT Heede were killed in the same IED attack and were buried just four graves apart. While this conversation occurred, a young person approached. Mrs Lockwood explained that he was the serviceman who pulled her son and SGT Heede from their vehicle following the attack. The Knights expressed their honor to be in such patriotic and selfless company.
Next
year, Master Steve Thomas hopes that more Sir Knights in the region will participate in laying wreaths at Arlington and perhaps at
other Veterans cemeteries in Maryland. The Worcester Wreath Company who
started supporting the Arlington Project nineteen years ago set a goal of
300,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery alone in 2011.
Fourth Degree Knights, members of the Patriotic Degree, will find the principles of our Order and the mission of Wreaths Across America to be in sync - to Remember, Honor, and Teach. Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve including their families who sacrifice, and Teach our children the cost of the freedoms we enjoy each day.
It is our shared belief that..."The nation which forgets its defenders will soon be forgotten." Calvin Coolidge
Morrill
Worchester, Founder of Wreaths Across America explains:
"I started Worcester
Wreath Co. in 1971. That first year I sold 500 wreaths. Over the past 37 years
with the help from my family, our business has grown to sales of over 500,000
wreaths.
I happen to think this incredible growth could only be accomplished
in America because of the freedoms we all enjoy. Of course, our freedoms did
not come without a tremendous cost and sacrifice. Over the past 231 years,
nearly 1,000,000 Americans, men and women, have given the ultimate sacrifice for
all of us. Millions more gave years of their lives in the military services and
were lucky enough to come home safely. I know our wreaths placed on the
veteran's graves each year is a very small gesture. I only wish we could do
more."
We couldn't agree more!!!
Please note: many people have expressed
a desire to donate to this cause. Worcester Wreath Company is committed to
continue their Arlington Wreath Project, now expanded by the Wreaths Across
America campaign. Worcester Wreath cannot and will not accept any donations.
Those who are interested however, may support by sending donations to: Wreaths Across America
Submitted by Sir Knight Fritz Leach, GK
Special Veterans Project
Co-coordinator for the Master
Faithful Pilot and Color Corps Commander, Pope
Paul VI Assembly 2367