Fourth Degree

[Right] Members of Ramona Assembly in Hemet, Calif., fold a U.S. flag in preparation for burning during a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day, June 14. Knights retired flags that were worn, soiled or otherwise unsuitable for display. The following assemblies also sponsored or were present at flag retirement ceremonies in their communities: Patrick Walsh Assembly in Augusta, Ga., Bishop Raymond P. Hillinger Assembly in North Cook County, Ill., Anthony Wayne Assembly in Fort Wayne, Ind. and Our Lady of the Americas Assembly in El Paso, Texas.

Tuscaloosa Assembly provided an honor guard for Bishop Robert J. Baker of Birmingham when he dedicated Holy Spirit Church on Pentecost Sunday, May 31. Bishop Baker is a member of Our Lady of the Valley Council 9676.

St. Anthony Assembly in Lloydminster provided an honor guard for the centennial celebration of the town of Holden. At the event, Knights rode a model float of the Santa Maria.

St. Francis Assembly in San Francisco participated in the 96th annual celebration and procession of Santo Cristo Dos Milagres on May 17.

At the request of the Trinitarians of Mary Monastery in Tecate, Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe Assembly 2449 in Santee collected more than 800 pairs of shoes for the needy. Girl Scouts assisted in collecting about 100 pairs of shoes for children.

Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly in Georgetown provided an honor guard for the Corpus Christi Mass, June 14, at St. Jude the Apostle Church.

Three assemblies from in and around Tampa provided an honor guard for the first Mass celebrated by newly ordained Father Carl "Buster" Melchior. Father Melchior is a member of Christ the King Council 12165 in Tampa.

Father Hugon Assembly in Tallahassee provided an honor guard for the funeral Mass of Msgr. William Aloysius Kerr Jr. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee and saw the attendance of more than 40 area priests and religious.

Knights from Divine Mercy Assembly in Woodstock stand near a piper from the North Georgia Highland Brigade Pipes and Drum corps during a Memorial Day service at the Georgia National Cemetery. Knights provided a huge honor guard for the event, which included a 21-gun salute and a prayer service celebrated by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta. (Photo courtesy of Dale Hall Photography)

Father Andrew White Assembly 377 in Ridge provided an honor guard at two Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball games, May 30 and 31. Members of St. Mary’s Council 1470 in Leonardtown and their guests also attended the games as a council outing.

Dr. John Henry Griffin Council 2293 in Bryantown, St. Thomas Manor Assembly in Port Tobacco and Cardinal James Hickey Circle 4914 erected their annual pro-life cross display at St. Peter’s Church.

Braintree Council 1462 served as ushers during a family rosary festival sponsored by Holy Cross Family Ministries. Cardinal O’Connell Assembly in Brockton provided an honor guard for the event.

Knights from throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids provided an honor guard for the retirement of Father Michael A. Danner. Knights also attended a reception for Father Danner, who is a member of Bishop Haas Council 4362.

Msgr. George J. Hildner Assembly in Washington provided an honor guard for a Boy Scout ceremony in which four young men earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

John F. Kennedy Assembly in Butte provided an honor guard for the Special Olympics state games, May 13, at Montana State University. Nearly 1,000 athletes participated in the games, and Knights from throughout the state served as volunteers.

Msgr. William Varrily Council 120301 in Bathurst held its fifth annual blessing for area first responders May 31. Msgr. John Wheten Assembly provided an honor guard for the event.

Msgr. Peter B. O’Connor Assembly in North Arlington purchased six flat-screen televisions for the Veterans Memorial Home in Paramus. Funding for one of the televisions came from the assembly’s ladies' auxiliary.

Cardinal Farley Assembly in Southeast Westchester County held its annual Fourth Degree scholarship awards dinner. Knights presented Dakota Martin, the daughter of Knight John Martin, with a $500 scholarship.

New Fourth Degree Members of Cardinal Carter Assembly in Woodbridge prepare to receive their swords. The assembly hosted a sword blessing ceremony offered by Father Gregory Ace for newly exemplified Fourth Degree members. The new Sir Knights also sang in a choir at the exemplification Mass.

Msgr. John J. Lawley Assembly in Lebanon provided an honor guard for the Memorial Day Mass in its community.

Lehigh Valley Assembly in Bethlehem held its 26th annual benefit for the Catholic Charities Ecumenical Soup Kitchen. The event raised more than $6,000.

Sister Louise Marie Jones, IWBS, delivered a brief address at an open meeting of Father Abram J. Ryan Assembly in Dallas. She traveled from Victoria to thank the Knights for supporting her through the Refund Support Vocations Program (RSVP) and recount her lifelong vocations journey. Afterward the meeting, Faithful Navigator Patrick Fletcher presented Sister Jones with a table crucifix affixed with the emblem of Fourth Degree and an engraved plate to commemorate the event.

Knights from throughout the state marched in the opening ceremony for the 2009 Special Olympics Summer Games, held at Brigham Young University. Father Escalante Assembly in Provo has provided an honor guard for the games since 2003.

Walter Pollard Council 5480 and Father Michael J. Bader Assembly, both in Newport News, sponsored a Memorial Day service in honor of the USS Scorpion, which sank in 1968 with 99 crewmen aboard. Capt. Maryetta Nolan, the daughter of one of the deceased sailors, delivered remarks at the ceremony. The council also hosted its annual appreciation dinner to honor outstanding students and first responders.

St. Paul Assembly in Portsmouth collected more than 600 pounds of care items for a veterans nursing home in Hampton. The items, which included sweatshirts, hats and toiletries, were valued at approximately $1,600.