Wreaths Across America

Pictured above is Fr. Lowry, center, and starting on the left is seminarian Christopher Orajiacka, Tom Calderon, FN Larry Pfeifer, Christopher Mix, Mel Hebert and Wray Morris.

The sir knights of Assembly 2570 teamed up with the knights of Council 10524 to conduct a very successful program to honor departed United States veterans as part of the national Wreaths Across America program. The ceremony began at 11:00 CST at the Athens cemetery coinciding with the start of the ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. Fr. Nolan Lowry, Pastor of St. Edward Catholic Church, opened the ceremony with prayers and blessings. PGK of Council 10524 Bob Deitz, served as the master of ceremony for the program. Faithful Navigator Larry Pfeifer, representing the United States Air Force, presented a wreath in memory of the departed Air Force veterans. Simultaneously with the start of the ceremony in Athens, Sir Knight John Sumpter coordinated a similar ceremony at the Mary Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Malakoff, Texas. After the formal opening ceremonies were concluded, the knights along with members of the local VFW Post and community members placed over 800 wreaths on the graves of departed veterans in five community cemeteries. Bob Dietz, who coordinated the program for the Athens area commented, “… this is the largest number of participants and the most wreaths every purchased for this event”. The Knights of Columbus were critical for the success of this national program in the Athens area to honor our departed veterans.

Sir Knight Wray Morris placing a wreath on the grave of a

departed veteran and former Knight of Columbus.