Military & Veterans Activities

Knights of Yokosuka Council 12488 climbed Mount Fuji

On Aug. 19, the 100th anniversary of the sixth apparition of Our Lady of Fatima, Knights of Yokosuka Council 12488 climbed Mount Fuji. The Knights, led by Navy Chaplain Father Jason Burchell, stopped in a mountain hut for a few hours’ rest before finishing their 12,355-foot ascent to the summit in time for sunrise, which took place around 5:00 a.m. The weather was uncommonly clear for sunrise, but strong winds and air temperature in the 40s forced the group to begin their descent. Providentially, the winds were calm 100 feet from the summit, and Father Burchell offered holy Mass next to the trail for the repose of Bishop Francis DiLorenzo. Photos

38th Kanto Plain Special Olympics

St. Michael the Archangel Council 15969 on Yokoto Air Base in Fussa City, Japan, with Yokosuka Council 12488 of Yokosuka Naval Base and St. Lorenzo Ruiz Assembly of Camp Zama, served as cooking staff at the 38th Kanto Plain Special Olympics on June 17, 2017, helping to feed more than 200 participants. Council 15969 also made a $500 donation to the program.

Yokosuka Knights Help a Family in Need

Knights from Yokosuka Council 12488, located on a U.S. military base in Japan, stepped up to help a family in the Philippines and bring the youngest daughter closer to her dream of completing a college degree despite her frail condition. Read More

WTL Airport Support Awards: USO and TSA

The Archdiocese for the Military Services (AMS), USA, and the Knights of Columbus cosponsored Warriors to Lourdes (WTL) pilgrimage was held 17 May - 23 May 2016, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes, France in conjunction with the 58th Annual International Military Pilgrimage (PMI), 20-22 May, which included delegations from 45 countries. Read More

A New Fourth Degree Knight

On April 16, 2016, Master Eugene Daly, with the help of Marshall Phillip Clingan, knighted Norman Labrecque into the Fourth Degree as a member of Assembly #3381 in Tacoma Wash. Norman was conferred as a First Degree Knight on April 1, 1944 and is a WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam veteran.

Hauling Wheelchairs for Veterans

Every second Saturday of the month members of Military Council 14584, Fort Bliss, support an outing for residence of Ambrosio Guillen State Veterans’ Home by hauling wheelchairs and walkers. The Veterans ride on a bus to Freedom Crossing, the PX and food court at Fort Bliss, and their wheelchairs and walkers are transported by council members on a pick-up truck. At Freedom Crossing the knights and other volunteers help the veterans get around and keep them company.

Helping a Widowed Parish Member

Fr. McGivney founded the Knights of Columbus to help widows and orphans. It was in that spirit that members of Military Council 14584, Fort Bliss, pulled weeds and cut grass in the yard of a widowed parish member. After heavy rains in the El Paso area, the weeds and grass grew too quick and too tall for an elderly widow to keep up with. The knights of our council saw the need to weed before all went to seed. The grateful widow thanked the volunteers by praying the Rosary for them and wishing them God’s blessing.

Supporting the House of Hope

Military Council 14584, Fort Bliss, supported the El Paso House of Hope 5K Run/Walk with a sponsorship donation. Individual council members also participated in the event. Throughout the year, the council, in collaboration with the Military Council for Military Wives, participates in collecting donations of baby items for the House of Hope.

Appreciation Dinner to Honor Priests Supporting US Military Catholic Communities

The Father Emil J. Kapaun Council #11987, in Ramstein, Germany, hosted a Priest Appreciation Dinner on Sep 27, 2013. The dinner was held at the Dorint Hotel in Kaiserslautern, Germany for all US Military and civilian Catholic Priests in the region that support US Military Catholic Communities. The guest of honor was Bishop F. Richard Spencer, an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of the Military Services and the Episcopal Vicar for Europe and Asia. Read More

2ND and 3RD Degree Exemplification Held in Rome, Italy

On January 19, 2013, a special Exemplification was held for 34, 1st and 2nd Degree Knights, many of which were Seminarians, Deacons and 2 Priest attending the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) in Rome, Italy. Due to their tight schedules and studies, it is very difficult for them to progress in the Order while attending the PNAC. Read More

New Military Chaplain Scholarship Program Announced

The Knights of Columbus has established a new scholarship program to help fund the education of seminarians preparing to become Catholic chaplains in the U.S. armed forces. Read More

St. Maximilian Kolbe Council 15700 Officially Instituted

On May 8, 2013, St. Maximilian Kolbe Council 15700, Grafenwoehr, Germany in the European Overseas Military District #1 was officially instituted with 42 Charter Knights. Read More