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    Everyone Welcome, Everything Free

    The World War I saw an outpouring of assistance from the Knights of Columbus to members of the armed forces.

    by Corporate Communications Staff 11/8/2019

    Flashback Friday – 8 November 2019

    “Everybody Welcome, Everything Free.” Knights formally organized their support for the military more than 100 years ago. The support for the U.S. Army and Navy came from the Knights’ field secretaries, volunteer service workers, with material and spiritual comfort to those training at home and fighting overseas.

    A rosary, a candy bar, cigarettes or a Bible, the Knights field secretaries supported the troops – even on contested land in the Argonne Forest, between Heudicourt and Chalons-en-Champagne, France. (Private J.S. Campbell, Signal Corps, photograph

    Training camps at home had recreation huts for the trainees. Where other service organizations – the YMCA and Salvation Army – charged a nominal fee for the coffee, candy and cigarettes, the Knights lived their slogan “Everything Free”. The K of C recreation huts doubled as a site to host Sunday Mass and other services.

    When American soldiers were on the line, the field secretaries followed with their rolling kitchens to provide a hot beverage. Even during the Meuse-Argonne campaign, the Knights went in to support the troops.

    Material and spiritual comforts continued after the World War I to those awaiting transport home and those remaining in Germany as an occupying force. Knights were there with entertainment, organized recreation, a place to write home or read, and the opportunity for some camaraderie.

    Today’s Knights continue service to active members of the military and veterans with a variety of initiatives including Warriors to Lourdes.

    Credit: Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives. Not to be reproduced without permission of the Knights of Columbus. All rights reserved. Please contact the Knights of Columbus to learn more about the visual and text documentation of Knights’ history. Knights of Columbus councils and diocesan media outlets have permission to reuse this entry. Others may request permission using the email above.

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