This nominee is a dedicated member of the parish who steps in to serve no matter where help is needed. He donated his time and woodworking talents by constructing a miniature Altar, Kneeler (sized for youth), and Pulpit for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. He is a reverent Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. As a Lead Minister of Hospitality, our nominee coordinates assignments of six other volunteers. He and his team pass out worship aides and provide a smiling face to greet all who enter; collect/secure the gifts; and direct communion lines for smooth distribution. He is also the first line of defense should an incident occur or a parishioner become incapacitated. Our nominee is a key member of the Bereavement Ministry Team who compassionately cares for grieving families as they say their final good-byes to their loved ones. He regularly attends our parish men’s Cor sessions, building and strengthening all who attend a closer walk with Christ.

He has no children of his own, but is active in the lives of his four Godchildren (ages 3 to 25 years old). He not only shares his time with them but also his love of God and passes on that passion to each of them. During his time off, he travels out of town to his parents’ house to help them with DIY projects and regular home maintenance, including the rehabilitation of a family barn built 49 years ago by his father and grandfather. This required extensive work on all of the structure, wall sheeting, roofing, doors, and painting. He coordinated with 78 family members and friends and hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party for his parents.

The nominee has chosen the noble profession of firefighter, truly dedicated to serving and protecting the community. He was our lynchpin for participating in our Council/Assembly activities at the VA Medical Center for the patients. He set up our tent and ring toss game for the Veterans to come by and try their skills out and take home a prize. His genuine care for patients and interaction was therapy for both Knights and Veterans alike.

Always gives a helping hand; he regularly provides transportation to and from Church for a Council member who currently resides in a nursing home and is unable to drive on his own. He’s the first to volunteer should a parishioner or member of the local community need assistance in and around their home. He makes regular visits to the homebound. He headed up our council’s participation in the homeless Winter Shelter Program. He helped over 240 guests by providing a warm meal at night and a hearty breakfast to-go bag to sustain them till the next evening’s dinner.

He is a member of his Assembly’s Color Guard, participating in multiple events, including the 143rd Supreme Convention in Washington, D.C., in addition to having served in multiple officer roles.

He is dedicated to our RSVP program – he took personal time to visit our Council’s sponsored Seminarian at Mount Saint Mary’s, Emmitsburg, Maryland. Delivering a card signed by our members along with his donation.

Thomas serves his Council as its Life Program and March for Life Director. He currently holds the position of Council Recorder and Director of Family Programs; the latter is a position he has held since 2020.

“Dedicated” is not a strong enough word to describe what Thomas means to his Parish. He is the lead sacristan and is charged with training the church’s Mass coordinators. He performs Acolyte duties and assists with Altar Server training. He is responsible for ordering all liturgical items required for a variety of church events, including Mass and the sacraments. Thomas is on the Parish liturgy committee, makes key inputs to liturgy schedules throughout the year, and assists with logistical arrangements for weddings, funerals, and Baptisms. He also provides instructions from the General Instructions of the Roman Missal to other committee members, which is one of his favorite parts of the meeting. Our Brother Knight validates key scripts for various rites and ceremonies during Mass. He coordinates other ministry roles during unique liturgies for Holy Week, and Marian and Eucharistic processions.

He was hand-picked by the Pastor to lead the designing and planning of the new Adoration
Chapel as part of a $7 million church renovation project. He is in constant contact with the
architect and contractor team to ensure the Pastor’s requirements are met. In preparation for renovations, he organized a plan to vacate and demolish the old Altar server vesting room and set up a temporary location without interrupting server operations. He developed the specifications for all chapel seating, flooring, and stained-glass windows, as well as the furnishings for the Altar of Sacrifice, ambo, Altar of Repose, and the tabernacle. He spent many personal hours designing and building a model of the chapel for display so parishioners could understand the Pastor’s vision.

Thomas is one of two highly trained Mass coordinators responsible for the setup and execution of the weekly Praise & Worship service with exposition, adoration, and benediction. His versatility and dedication are second to none! He is often a Minister of Hospitality and an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and assists Catechists with logistics for faith formation. He served as lead for the Parish’s liturgical team during the parish work camp last summer and was the technology lead during Vacation Bible School. He orchestrates parish ministry fairs and supports ministry leads in promoting recruitment. He also championed the Shrove Tuesday pancake dinner, providing a hearty meal for 102 attendees, and set up the palm burning rite for Ash Wednesday. Thomas is on the Parish groundskeeping ministry that provides necessary gardening care and landscaping beautification year-round!

Thomas offers steadfast support and guidance within his immediate family. He
provides support to his ordained son by attending his celebrated Masses. He also supports his second son, who is a Director of College Catholic Campus Ministry and supports this
ministry financially as well as with self-help projects at the CCM Center. Thomas continues to be an inspiration and an exemplary model of what a Knight should be.

Nicky has held every position a council could ask of its membership. He has chaired the membership and retention committee, has been a part of the ceremonial degree team, and is even part of the Council Golf committee. Nicky’s dedication to the Knights of Columbus extends far beyond mere titles and positions.

His true impact lies in his tireless efforts to recruit, organize, and fundraise – exemplifying the core values of our organization. This knight is a natural leader and coordinator; he effortlessly wears many hats within his parish, council, and community. He seamlessly navigates various roles and responsibilities. His unwavering dedication enriches the parish life and embodies the values of the Knights of Columbus.

Serving as a lector, ecumenical minister, usher, gift bearer, and cross bearer, he exhibits versatility and deep involvement in church ministries. His active participation in the safety and funeral committees demonstrates his dedication to parishioners’ well-being and support during difficult times. A former Pastoral Council Chairman, his leadership has united and guided his community.

Since joining the Knights, particularly in his role as membership chair, he has played a pivotal role in doubling the size of our council. He personally engages with every new man in the parish, extending invitations to join the Knights and be part of our mission. He has used his remarkable organizational skills in forming four round tables and developing two of those as a new council. His proactive approach has strengthened our community and expanded our reach.

Serving as a big brother to four sisters and one brother, he offers steadfast support and guidance within his extended family. He is an uncle, engaging with his six nephews and
two grandnephews. He is a dedicated godfather, and serving as the sponsor for two of his nephews during their baptism and confirmation is a testament to his influence in helping to shape their spiritual growth. His devotion to serving his family reflects the core values of love, support, and faith.

In addition to his dedication to family and church, he volunteers for numerous organizations, including the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, Faith in Action, and Special Olympics. His past involvement as a Jaycee reflects his longstanding dedication to community service and leadership development. Furthermore, he generously contributes his time as a basketball scorekeeper for four local universities, supporting athletics and enriching the collegiate experience for student-athletes. Through his multifaceted involvement, he embodies the spirit of service and strengthens the fabric of his community

He is the council’s Life program director and works with the Parish Life Committee to run joint activities for the entire parish. He is the editor of the parish’s quarterly Respect Life Newsletter and broadcasts alerts to parishioners for VA Life legislation. This year, Brother Knight led a successful fundraising campaign for ASAP (Aid and Support After Pregnancy). The Campaign raised $4,000 from a pancake breakfast and contributions from individuals and Supreme. The proceeds were split between two pregnancy support organizations.

He worked with the county government and a lawyer to gain approval for a permanent pregnancy support sign that was installed along the road in front of our church. He organized our council’s participation in the March for Life by procuring a bus to the event for our council, contributing to the cost of the bus, and providing refreshments for the participants.

He and his wife are active with their three children and seven grandchildren, attending events and sports activities, which keep them busy. Each week, they take a group of their grandkids to dinner, allowing the parents some time together.

He is a member of our council’s Faith Committee, which hosts parish Advent and Lenten retreats each year. This involves a Saturday morning Mass, a breakfast social, and morning reflections by a pair of speakers. Last year, he organized a presentation for the parish entitled “Gender Ideology, The Cultural Challenge and the Catholic Response,” which was well attended. He is involved with That Man is You as a participant and group leader.

He and his wife continually attend bible and faith study courses at the parish and online
and are faithful volunteers at our council’s monthly Parish Pancake Breakfasts and monthly Food Drives. He and his wife participate in a parish Social Group that regularly meets for
dinner at local restaurants and is currently expanding the program to our council members.

Jack led our Retention Committee and inaugurated an onboarding committee for the council. His efforts filled a need to welcome new members and get them involved in our activities. The success of this program is evidenced by the many Brother Knights who have gone on to be an officer, Knight of the Month, and/or Family of the Month recipient.

This Knight is a committed and practicing Catholic who serves as an altar server, lector, and
usher for the church. As an example of his selfless service, he was part of a two-man crew that spent over 720 man-hours, painting the inside of the fourteen (14) room church rectory, which had not been painted in over 20 years.

Before the painting, he prepped walls, caulked, and sanded the ceiling and walls of the rectory. The crew worked around the Priests living in the rectory by only being able to paint one or two rooms at a time and then moving furniture to start again. The nominee and his cohort also contributed over 50 man-hours assisting in revitalizing the back deck (porch), repairing wood, pressure washing, and staining the area.

This Knight was also part of a crew that used wood pews from an old Catholic church to design, construct, stain, and install three cabinets for the church vestry. Using his woodworking skills, he detailed these cabinets to hold the Priests’ wardrobes. Along with family members who are also Knights, he repaired and remade crosses for the unborn. These crosses were then displayed on the church grounds.

He participates in Defend Life Day in Richmond. He participated in positive meetings with state delegates to discuss the proposed legislation that would negatively oppose the Catholic teachings. He participated in the 40 Days for Life Vigil at the local Medical Center for Women, where he has prayed the Rosary, distributed literature, and helped educate uninformed mothers-to-be about different options available in times of unwanted pregnancies.

He is his Council’s Program Director, Fundraising Committee Chairman, and the point of contact for organizations outside of the Council. He has chaired the Rosary Program, Spiritual Reflection, Holy Hour, Consecration to the Holy Family, March for Life, Pregnancy Center Support, and Novena for Life. In all programs, not just the ones he chairs, his advanced planning, follow-through, and organizational skills have ensured that the programs run smoothly.

This Knight has spent his life volunteering for community activities in his own and surrounding communities as a “cheerleader”. As he says, “there are so many great things going on in communities that people don’t know about.

This Knight of the Year was nominated because of his continuous and gracious help in assisting his Council to do their best for their parish, community, and country.

As Parish Advisory Group President, he led a team that listened to the “pulse of the parish” and provided input on how the parish and Diocese are doing and recommended improvements. This Knight ensured both youth and adults reverently serve at our Lord’s Table. He was a guest catechist and sponsor for those on a journey seeking to learn more about Catholicism. As a participant in the Marian Procession, he reverently carried our Virgin Mother’s Statue into the worship space.

This Knight of the Year led by example as he gathered his family throughout the day and led them in the Angelus. After viewing the “Into the Breach” video series with his family, he had in-depth discussions on how his contributions to the family could be improved. Through the “Unity” Retreat, he sought to build a deeper and closer relationship with Jesus.

This Knight understands his community’s needs. He ran a food drive program for the Council, providing 20,000 pounds of food and $21,000 in donations to support their local food closet. He led a team that prepared supper and breakfast for 75 homeless neighbors. As a staunch supporter of the 40-Days for Life Program, this Knight organized his Church’s participation in the annual March for Life. He also led the charge for council and church support to the 32nd Annual National Life Chain, which is a peaceful, prayerful, and public witness of pro-life.

As for the service to the Knights of Columbus, he held multiple offices and positions and encouraged other Knights to look for more ways to help the parish and local community. As many Councils had to pivot during the COVID pandemic, this Knight secured, set up, and ran the equipment that allowed his Council to have virtual meetings and stay productive. During
this time, he and his Degree team hosted two virtual degrees for Virginia. He enthusiastically participated in Color Corps events, especially the parades.

A member of the Order for 42 years, the Knight of the Year has been very involved with his parish, council, and community. He is the organizer and Charter Grand Knight of his Council and participates in all the Council functions and activities. Our Knight steps forward and volunteers when many other Brother Knights remain silent. When there has been a vacancy that could not be filled, he always offered up his name for consideration. He has held virtually every leadership position at the council, assembly, and various state levels. He has served continuously on the First Degree Team since 1978 in multiple roles and on the Second-Degree Team since 1984.

He and his bride have been married for 55 years and have one daughter, one son, a daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This Knight and his wife worked diligently together to pay for their two children’s expenses to attend five-year programs at Virginia Tech University. His son is a 3rd Degree member of the Order and is a licensed Architect who owns his own firm and designed his own home.

Our Knight of the Year has served his church in numerous positions for numerous years.
Beginning as a Lector in 1959 (61 years), Eucharistic Minister (15 years), RCIA Instructor (17 years), and Minister of Hospitality (15 years), just to name a few. He also serves his church as a parish representative to multiple parish School Boards and as Chairman of the School Board (2 years). He was nominated and served on the Diocesan Study Committee for Catholic Schools and the Diocesan Study Committee on Right to Life. He has supported the need for vocations by serving on the State Penny per Knight per Day board for six years.

He serves as a true example of how to support a council and community. He has worked the
annual Council KOVAR Drives for the past 42 years, prepares dinner and breakfast the following morning for the homeless during CARITAS week at his Parish’s Social Hall for 27 years, servers as the multi-district March for Life Rally Bus Chairman and has raised funds to provide FREE bus transportation (started with two buses and now uses eight buses for the March for Life rally in Washington. He also served as the State Pro-Life Director for Richmond and as District Associate Marshal for Richmond. He supervised and constructed handicap ramps for multiple needy families and built a ramp for a retired disabled priest suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. He has been delivering Meals on Wheels twice a month for the past five years and also brings food and serves Veterans’ Christmas Eve Dinner at the McGuire Veterans Administration Hospital in Richmond, VA for the past 27 years.

A member of the Order for 27 years, the Knight of the Year has been very involved with his parish, council, and community. He has held virtually every leadership position at the council and assembly level, currently serving as Financial Secretary for his Council and Comptroller for his Assembly.

He is a lector, in fact, a Lead Lector, coordinating the schedule of other lectors. He is active in leading the Lenten Soup Supper program and volunteers as a Cantor during numerous funerals throughout the year. He serves the church as a member of the Parish Financial Council, suggesting ways for the pastor to manage the finances of the parish.

He is the Executive Chef for the Council, planning, preparing, and serving meals at virtually all council functions. He was the lead in planning and executing a Summer Picnic for the Veterans that allowed them to get away from the VA hospital for an afternoon of fellowship with the Knights and their families.

He provides support for the local Cub Scout pack, leads the effort in support of the associated school auction and Casino Night, manages the weekly Bingo operation, and basically has his hands in everything that the Council does. In his “spare” time, he is involved in the Ceremonials of all four Degrees. When he finishes all of that, he always has time for his wife of 42 years, his children, and his grandchildren.

A member of the Order for 33 years, the Knight of the Year has been very involved with his parish, council, and community. An extraordinary minister of the Holy Eucharist at his parish and an usher at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, the Knight of the Year has also been very active in getting to know the newer members of the parish community and making them feel at home. For a quarter century, he has been an adult facilitator at Confirmation retreats and provided food deliveries for those in need.

A mainstay at the U.S. National March for Life, he worked as a member of the security detail for those on the main stage and escorted former President Nellie Gray during the march. He also worked the medical assistance van, providing help to those during the march itself. He is also heavily involved in KOVAR, Christmas Tree Sales, and being a marshal for the local Independence Day Parade.

Holding virtually every leadership position at the council and assembly level, he currently maintains the prayer list and works on the council newsletter, always encouraging others to remain strong in their faith and using the power of prayer toward healing. Providing guidance and leadership to newer members, he provides guidance and encouragement
to those who ask for his assistance, especially to officers and leaders of the council.

Our Grand Knight of the Year held numerous positions within the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight for four terms, Faithful Navigator, and in positions within the State. He is very involved with his parish, holding positions within the Church, including starting a roundtable for their sister church. He also organizes the Shelter in Help Emergency for his community, which is a haven for abused women and children. He continually serves as the point person for the management of parish and council activities. He serves his community in food collections, Special Olympics, Fish Frys, Habitat for Families, Pro Life causes, and plays Santa Claus to the youth all over the state.

He has been the cornerstone of his council as a Charter Member in 1995, and his greatest work comes in speaking about his love for the Knights of Columbus, recruiting members wherever he goes.

This year’s Knight of the Year has served as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Trustee, Advocate, and Faithful Navigator and has been a Brother Knight for 31 years.

During a recent renovation of his church, our Knight of the Year saved the marble being removed from the walls. He offered some of it to another church, and with other pieces, he made memorial plaques to present to the bishop, pastor, and parishioners. He proposed an idea to develop an area of his church with a statue of Mary into a grotto with a wall, walkways, a prayer bench, and lighting. He was instrumental in raising the $50,000 needed to make the idea a reality.

At Thanksgiving and Christmas, our Knight of the Year delivered food to needy families. He purchased toys out of his own pocket to leave with the families. He helped pick up, clean, deliver, and distribute coats for the needy during the council’s coat drive. He is part of the council’s day-old bread collection, and his efforts led to the council receiving the Golden Apple award for collecting over 10,000 loaves of bread for the needy.

He has done all of this and much more, which is why his Grand Knight described him as “the spark plug that makes our council work.”

This year’s Knight of the Year has served as District Deputy, Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Trustee, Recorder, and a brother Knight for 29 years.

This brother Knight is Chairman of his Parish Finance Council, and has responsibility for the annual budget and yearly financial reports. He counts weekly collections and attends each parish council meeting as a non-voting member.

Our Knight is a lector, usher, and is often assisted by a developmentally delayed/handicapped gentleman that our Knight and his wife have welcomed into their home, even though he is of no relation. Over the years, this Brother has opened his home to those in need by serving as a host and surrogate family for foster children and those with special needs, providing a loving and caring home.

He volunteers for any number of committees and projects, which recently included the 100th anniversary celebration of their Parish (which had various events, year-long). He has spearheaded and chaired a dinner-dance for those who have mental and physical handicaps. He sought food, entertainment, decorations, and favors for those who attended the dance.

This brother lobbies at the Virginia State Assembly, as well as the local level, for the rights and care of the handicapped. He has been a Knight for 29 years, and if you just list every volunteer program the State Council initiates, he has been there for all of them.

Bob has served as District Deputy, Grand Knight, and Faithful Navigator. A member of the Order for 20 years, he has served in positions at his Council, Assembly, and as a State program chairman. He has served on the Council Ways and Means committee; was KOVAR chairman for 3 years; and is the current Special Olympics and Council Activities Chairman for his Council. During his tenure as Grand Knight, his Council was recognized as the #1 Council in the State Circle of Honor.

He has served his Parish as an usher, an active member in the parish choir, is part of the Perpetual Adoration Ministry, and he helped establish Mary’s Walk and Stations of the Cross behind his Church.

He has served his community by hosting a table for the local Pregnancy Center’s Annual Fundraising banquet; participating in 40 Days for Life in front of the local abortion clinic; and being the organizer for the Council’s support for the Special Olympics activities in the area. He is also active in the Council’s Adopt A Highway, Coats for Kids, and Courage Lion programs.

With his wife’s help, he has been involved in almost every activity his Council has undertaken. He and his wife have two children who live nearby, and they have six grandchildren. His four teenage grandchildren are involved with the local Council’s Free
Throw contest. Our nominee and his wife have also hosted the hospitality suite at the annual meeting for two State Deputies.

Our nominee saw a need for a medical clinic in a remote and poverty-stricken area in a foreign country. Through his organization and coordination of fundraising, nearly $40,000 was raised for the medical clinic. The nominee has made three trips at his own expense, along with the Council Chaplain and Pastor, to coordinate the building of the clinic, which was turned over to the home diocese and dedicated earlier this year.

The Grand Knight describes why his nominee was chosen: “He is the center of our Fraternal
and Charitable activities, and the example of what can be done by one Knight with the help and support of an active Council.”

This year’s Knight of the Year has served as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, Chancellor, Warden, Guard, Advocate, Treasurer, Trustee, Faithful Navigator, Faithful Admiral, Faithful Captain, and District Warden. A member of the Order for over 22 years this fraternal year, he is simultaneously serving in officer positions at his Council, Assembly, and District, and as a state program chairman. During his tenure as Grand Knight, his Council received the State Deputy Award and the State Program Award for Pro-Life Activities. Last fraternal year, he coordinated the State-wide fundraising effort to replace 50 new flags and poles used at the Annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

Our Knight of the Year has been serving his parish’s communities for over 20 years as an usher and lector, and has served on both the Finance and the Strategic Planning Committee at his current parish. He was a Parish Council President in his previous parish, volunteered for several years as a Religious Education teacher preparing young confirmation candidates, and led the effort to set up a Parent/Child area (cry room) in the church with access to the Mass via TV screen.

Our Knight of the Year has been happily married for over 22 years. He is the father of five children: three adopted boys and two girls. He strongly supports his wife as a member of the Council’s KC Ladies Group and the Ladies of Virginia. When his daughter was of age for the Squire Roses, he supported her participation as a leader of the group. When his sons were of Boy Scout age (now grown), he served as a Troop leader, dedicating much time to support their leadership development. As the loving father that he is, our Knight of the Year
has guided his family by his example of how to fully live the Catholic faith. Our Knight of the Year has served our country in the U.S. Air Force and the Department of the Army for more than 37 years, served as an Assistant Chief Election Officer in his local county, refereed basketball games in three Diocesan High School Basketball Leagues, been the Marshall for the local city’s 4th of July Parade, was personally named to the National Staff for the March for Life by Ms. Nellie Gray and serves on the Board of Directors of A Best Choice Mobile Ultrasound and Pregnancy Resource Center.

Our Knight of the Year is a lector at church, and when altar servers are in short supply, he is front and center assisting Father with the gifts, the water and wine, and the washing of the priest’s hands. Outside the mass, he is ever present in support of landscaping/maintenance activities such as the clean-up of grounds, the painting of halls and classrooms, and even tiling the kitchen.

His community-based activities reflect directly on the church he serves and provide a positive impression for those unfamiliar with the Catholic way. His longstanding history of being willing to support all church-related organizations (men’s club, Sisters of the Poor, Our Ladies of Saints, and the Youth Group Ministry) puts him directly in the forefront of those people being asked for help when any project is about to be undertaken.

Our Knight of the Year is a devoted husband who married his spouse late in life. Through his
positive influence, his wife converted to Catholicism and is now one of the principal promoters of women’s group activities at our church. His dedication to his wife is evident in his assisting her as an elementary school teacher. He can be found routinely in her classroom assisting with housekeeping, installations, and activities no longer funded by the school system in this age of diminished resources. At church, his close and continuous support of his wife and her charitable activities, such as the ladies’ church yard sales, where he was there from dawn to dusk helping his wife set up, load sold items, and break things down.

The parents of our nominee’s spouse are advanced in years, encountering signs of dementia and literally in the process of moving into assisted living. Our Knight has been instrumental in orchestrating these difficult times and literally spends most of his available free time commuting to the in-laws’ old residence so that he can redo the kitchen, paint, and plaster rooms to upgrade the old residence in order to make it marketable for sale. He is a work force of one, which only proves his commitment to his wife and her family. These would be burdensome tasks under any circumstances. However, to compound matters, our Knight and his wife live 60 miles away, one way.

Our Knight of the Year has served multiple elected terms on his town council. His efforts have improved the operational efficiencies and management talent within the community government. Before that, his involvement with the Lions Club helped the organization to grow in numbers and stature. His contacts with social services directors within the area have also allowed him to efficiently target the neediest of families. Approximately a year ago, he unilaterally launched a church drive to support a young unwed mother and her children who were burned out of their residence just before Christmas. He was instrumental in getting the word out, collecting replacement furniture, and shoring up deficiencies at the new, yet ever so humble residence. In concert with his wife, he spearheads our annual angel tree program targeted at the neediest in our community. Again, his involvement with the social service directors identifies those most in need.

He assigns and sorts the gifts to the children and orchestrates the delivery of gifts for the young and hundreds of pounds of food to the parents. His efforts have an immediate impact on those he assists and help promote our church within an area not known for its Catholicism.

As his council’s program director, he stepped in at the last minute when the primary officer was called away to coordinate support for the local pregnancy center fundraiser. He mustered troops to usher, collect donations, and serve food, and was complimented by the organization’s director as being instrumental in the success of their effort.

As the current Deputy Grand Knight and program director, he formally assumed many of the
responsibilities he had only assisted with in the past. Most importantly, his Grand Knight has received 100 percent support for new organizational initiatives designed to improve the council’s focus and efficiency. His prior service in the previously listed positions has also placed him in a position of being able to be a significant, knowledgeable contributor in our organizational initiatives.

Our Knight of the Year has a background and strong knowledge of computer programming and spreadsheets. He provided invaluable help to organize council actions and promoted an improved approach to council business. It would be completely misleading to suggest that our Knight is just an idea or a computer man. Regardless of the project, be it a walk for life, a council social, a Knights of Columbus-sponsored church-wide dinner, a clean-up at an ailing brother’s home, or painting of the church social hall/classrooms, our Knight of the Year is first to volunteer and report, the hardest worker, and the last to leave. His efforts are infectious, and his sense of humor brings out the best in us all.

In an effort to be prepared and knowledgeable in the Council, he has demonstrated great
initiative and attended the state quarterly meetings this year. He does not seek a position for prestige, but rather out of a commitment to serve our Council and the Knights of Columbus. Our Knight of the Year was selected for his outstanding leadership and commitment to our council and the Knights of Columbus.

He is the personification of what Father McGivney envisioned when he formed the Knights. The four pillars of our organization (charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism) are not just buzzwords to him. They are oaths upon which he has sworn to promote within his life and our organization. No other members within our council have participated in more activities, demonstrated more initiative, been more supportive, or been more singularly instrumental in our successes. None has had a greater impact within our community and our church. Our Knight seeks neither praise nor recognition. He does what he does because he is grounded in faith and dedicated to church, family, and country; He is a voice of reason, a promoter of Christian values, and an outstanding representative of the Knights of Columbus.

The Knight of the Year is a 22-year member of the Knights of Columbus. He has been Grand
Knight of his Council twice and has held many other offices within the Council. This year, he was the Council Treasurer. It has often been said within the Council that if you don’t know something, you should just ask him. He has taken on many other duties within the Council, including serving as the Council’s Pro-Life Chairman, where he has organized the Parish’s participation in the March for Life.

This Knight always demonstrates his commitment to serving the Church. He has been the head of the Parish Usher program for years and serves on the Parish Temporalities Commission. He is also an Usher. You might frequently see this Knight working around the Parish grounds, planting flowers and performing yard maintenance to beautify the Church property.

This Knight always shows his commitment to his family, including his wife, three daughters, and several grandchildren. He is heavily involved in Scouting, attending all weekly Boy Scout
meetings and co-coordinating their food drives. He provides transportation to several WWII
veterans who can no longer drive. He is also the lead driver in the Council’s Wood Cutters
program that finds dead and downed trees for cutting and distribution to the elderly and poor of the Parish and community.

Our honoree lives by the principles of the Knights of Columbus. There are two examples of his concern for his fellow man that have occurred this past year. The Council has two members who are both over the age of 90 years and are veterans of the Pacific Island campaigns of WWII. Both were suffering from health issues. The first lived in a house that was over 100 years old and was in need of repair. This Knight took it upon himself to organize a group of Knights to scrape, caulk, prime, and paint the entire old house so that his Brother Knight could have a more comfortable home.

The second example of his concern involved a Brother Knight who was gored by a bull. That man suffered lacerations and a broken leg and required corrective surgery and extensive time in rehabilitation. This Knight provided transportation to and from doctor’s visits and clinics, organized work parties to paint, clean, and reorganize the man’s home, and turned his house into a “handicapped friendly living space”, installing handrails where needed. This group also placed fixtures, flooring, and appliances, and installed new doors and window locks. The cost of these repairs was covered by a grant from VKCCI and a donation from the Council.

These efforts, as so many other things that our honoree has done, have significantly improved the lives of those in the community.

This year’s Knight of the Year is a remarkable Brother Knight, and his selection as Knight of the Year is truly unique. Our Knight of the Year is a member of the clergy. What could be more fitting in the “Year of the Priest?”

Our honoree has been true to his calling for more than 29 years. He was a very successful Diocesan Director of Vocations for more than 15 years; served as a spokesman for the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops on EWTN; served as Chaplain of the Catholic Medical Association, a national group of physicians; fostered the idea of the Virginia “Choose Life” license plate, and is in constant contact with deployed military personnel. When he was named Pastor at his current parish, it was experiencing spiritual and financial problems that he has since corrected, and he was the Charter Chaplain of his Council.

Our 2009 Knight of the Year has been a Knight for 30 years in the same Council. He has served three terms as Grand Knight. He also served his Council as Financial Secretary for eight years. He served as a District Warden for two years and then as a District Deputy for three years. He has also served as the Captain of a First Degree Team for 20 years. In his Assembly, he has served as Faithful Navigator for eight terms and Commander of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard for eight years.

He has served as chairman for the following: KOVAR, KCIC, Council home maintenance committee chairman, and council hall rental chairman. He has served on every directorship,
membership, church, youth, and council committees.

For service to his Church, he has designed and constructed wheeled receptacles for storage for several Catholic Churches and his council home; designed and constructed shelves and a new sign in the form of a cross for the Parish Gift Shop. He IS the longest serving Eucharistic Minister in his Parish (over 30 years). He is known as the Pastor’s ‘go-to man’ for repairs and odd jobs around the Parish.

In service to his family, he has taken care of his sick grandson, who was born with 18 holes in his heart and various other heart problems. He and his wife visited numerous doctors and hospitals in an effort to find proper surgical care.

He worked several jobs to help defray the cost of the six open-heart surgeries and post-operative care of his grandson, who also has had a mechanical valve and pacemaker installed.

He initiated the Clergy Appreciation Night for his Council and, with his family, works the event from start to finish. Together, they distribute ‘Toys for Tots’. His grandson now participates as a Santa ‘Elf’. His wife crochets blankets for the families of stillborn children or those who died shortly after birth to provide some comfort to the families in the burial of their child.

In his community, he has been a member of the board of directors of an Emergency Aid Program for 12 years. He works with the Marines’ “Toys for Tots’ in availing the council home as a distribution center and designed the screening form for the needy for more than seven service organizations. He has initiated and led the distribution of Thanksgiving Dinners to the needy from the Council Hall.

In his brotherhood with the Knights, he has led the KOVAR collection for over 12 years. He
acquired all of the robes, jewels, props, and books for the degree team. He does all of the
paperwork. He was key in the formation of his Assembly and approached neighboring councils for membership. As District Deputy, he was responsible for starting both the Radford and Abingdon Councils. He has recruited an average of three members for each of his 30 years in service to the Knights.

This year’s Knight of the Year has been an extremely active member of TEAM Virginia for more than 31 years. He has held every Council office, most of them more than once. In fact, he’s been a Grand Knight six times as well as a charter member of two Councils. Not to limit his expertise to the Council level, he is a five-term District Deputy, and served the State Council as the New Council Development Chairman, Convention Chairman, Pro Life Chairman twice, Scouting Chairman, three times, Youth Chairman, Nominating Committee Chairman, six times, and served six years on the Vocations Committee and nine years on the VKCCI Board.

He is an avid and talented ceremonialist. He has been doing multiple roles in the First Degree since 1978. He’s been on a Second Degree Team since 1984 and now does various roles on two District teams. He has also been on a Third Degree Team since 1984 and can do all of the team roles. He’s worked with all of Virginia’s Third Degree Teams.

In addition, he is extremely active in his parish. He has been a lector for almost 50 years and a lector trainer for 25 years, and serves as an Eucharistic minister and RCIA instructor. He has also served as an adult education teacher, minister of hospitality, in the church choir and the men’s church choir, the parish council, as an adult altar server, parish representative to the multiple parish school board, chairman of the school board, and on the Diocesan Study Committee for Catholic Schools and the Diocesan Study Committee for Right to Life.

He and his lovely wife, Ann, have been married for 43 years and have one daughter, one son, who is a Third Degree Knight, and one daughter-in-law. Although the children are grown, they still come back to help Mom and Dad put on Church and Council dinners.

The Knight of the Year joined his current council a little over a year ago and has been an amazing influence in reenergizing his council through his incredible energy, volunteerism, and recruitment abilities.

He is a lector, an usher, a Eucharistic Minister. CCD teacher and a fundraiser for the parish building fund. The nominee is active in his Assembly as well, providing an Honor Guard for First Friday Masses. Married 40 years, and although his children are now grown, he served them well for many years as a Little League manager, soccer coach, and scoutmaster. Now he does the same for his grandchildren.

He has been active in community and fraternal organizations his entire adult career, have been a member of the Rotary Club, the Lions, and the Optimists. Our nominee was awarded the Ace award for his service to the Chamber of Commerce. He is a certified motivational trainer and a Senior Director in YMCA management training. He is an active participant in all his Council activities: KOVAR, Peanut Festival, Valentine’s Dance, Christmas Card Sales, working the kitchen, fish fries, mopping the floors, and Special Olympics. He does it all. He is the Council Advocate, Council Membership Chair, and Council Degree Coordinator. He designed, developed, and assembled a New Member Handbook to immediately engage
new members in the council’s activities. He got council members to wear name badges to every event and every Mass. His objective was to make the Knights more visible. He established a postcard notification program to advise council members of upcoming events. Participation has increased dramatically. He improved communication between the Knights of the two parishes served by the council. Most of all, and last but not least, and near and dear to every State Deputy’s heart, the Knight of the Year, in his capacity as membership chair, has been responsible for his Council’s phenomenal recruitment efforts. At this point, the council has attained over 400% of its goal for this year.

Our Knight of the Year has served his parish for 40 years, doing all the things necessary to prepare for Sunday Mass. He is an Eucharistic Minister and attends to hospital and home ministry for his parish. He is active in all aspects of parish life.

He has lost a son in Vietnam and a daughter to cancer five years ago, and his wife passed away this year. His only remaining son does not live in the area. He has a scholarship established in his son’s name at Catholic University.

In the community, he serves as chairman of a committee assisting wounded veterans at Walter Reed. His current efforts are directed toward sponsoring an Activity Day in the community to help relieve the boredom experienced by soldiers and their families as they wait for medical discharge.

In service to the Knights, he does a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, preparing for events, dinners, and special functions such as St. Patrick’s Day parties. He arranges retreats and handles appreciation events for the clergy.

In nominating this Knight, his Grand Knight, the Knights, and Pastor say, “We support him and strongly recommend him as the Virginia Knight of the year, because he has put aside all personal tragedies in his life and focused on helping his neighbors. He is a devout Catholic who clearly understands that our greatest rewards are not to be obtained during this life. The way he lives his life is a model for all Catholic Gentlemen.

This brother Knight’s service to the church is summed up in two words: hard labor. He
has a special dedication to the Benedictine Sisters and spends a great deal of his time
around the school, monastery, and chapel, doing whatever it is the sisters need.
In 1996, the Benedictine Sisters founded BARN, which stands for Benedictine Aid and
Relief for Neighbors. BARN provides housing and access to supportive services and
programs for homeless women and their children. This year, the Sisters presented our
brother Knight with the Agnes Colgan “Celebration of Life Award” and knighted him
as the BARN volunteer of the year.

This past year, he served as Chairman for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life,
raising over $175,000 for Cancer Research. In addition to these activities, he annually manages the Council home for the Rainbow 4H Equestrian Center Annual Silent Auction. This event benefits the Rainbow 4H Equestrian Center, which provides therapeutic horse riding for children with severe disabilities.

He is the Chief Squires Councilor of the oldest, most active Squires Circle in the state,
where he has the love, respect, and admiration of those young men. They think he is
pretty ‘cool’ for a 58-year-old man.

This Knight has been an active participant within the church for the past 30 years, both while on active duty and at his current parish. He has been a Lector, Extraordinary Minister, and is currently a member of the Parish Christian Concern and Outreach committee. He has been an active usher for the past twelve years at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

He has been active within the community through various non-profit organizations such as “Action in Community Through Service” (ACTS). He has been the council representative on the Independence Day Parades and a member of the County Clean Council Committee.

He has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for the past 19 years and has held every chairman’s and officer’s position in his council. He gets involved and encourages others, too. He doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to accomplish an event.

This Knight is active in his community by serving eight years on the local community college Board of Visitors, one year as President. He is a member of the Superintendent of Schools Parent Planning Committee. He also served as a judge at local district and regional high school debate activities.

He has been an active member of his parish since 1974: serving on the Parish Council for five years; two of those years he was the Parish Council President. He is a lector, Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher of Confirmation Class, and RCIA Bible studies. He was also the chairman of two different fund drives for his parish.

Five years ago, he joined the Knights of Columbus. He immediately contributed his enthusiasm, leadership skills, and drive to making his council excel. He has been the Recorder, Advocate, and Grand Knight for two years. As a Grand Knight, the Council increased membership by 240%, won the State Deputy Award, on track to win the Star Council Award

Since our nominee converted to the Catholic faith in 1976, he has participated in numerous
parish organizations and served in various leadership positions. He has given unselfishly of his time and talents to promote his Catholic faith. Our nominee, along with his wife, established the Parish Social Activities committee and was appointed as the Parish Year of the Family coordinators. He also helped coordinate neighborhood coordinators for the building of a Parish building fund, which netted $1.5 million for the addition of classrooms and offices to the Church.

Our nominee is an active lector in his Parish and has been doing so for the last seven years. Our nominee has been an active usher since his conversion. He also served two terms on the Parish advisory board and offers assistance at many special Parish functions.

Our nominee has worked in various roles at the annual Parish Festival on many booths, as well as providing night security. This festival nets about $20 thousand each year to pay for mortgages on the activity center and Rectory.

Our nominee is active in the quarterly church grounds clean-up, which has been recognized by a leading government official as a model for all churches and businesses in the local area.

Our nominee has been active in the Cursillo and Marriage Encounter weekends and has served as a presenting couple for two years. He has assisted various organizations of his children’s schools, even accepting leadership and coordinator roles as well as performing the actual hard work needed to raise funds for PTO’s and other special organizations. Our nominee leads by example and is active in the annual March for Life each January. Because of his outspoken support for what the Catholic Church teaches, his wife and children are active in the Church, social action organizations, and are full supporters of the Right to Life.

Our nominee has assisted in the Special Olympics sports competition as a scorer, escort, and concessionaire. Coordinated a special double bingo session, as Grand Knight, with the local VFW. The proceeds of the netted $12 thousand were sent to aid flood victims in the Midwest. Our nominee served on a community task force to evaluate the merits of a proposed Disney theme park to be constructed in a nearby community.

Our nominee is a retired career Marine Corps Officer, having served his country for 29 years. He began as an enlisted man and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served two tours in Vietnam and received numerous decorations, including the Merit Service Medal, Navy Achievement Medal with combat Action and the Combat Action ribbon. He currently serves as the National Executive Director of the Marine Corps League and belongs to six military-related community organizations.

Our nominee has been a volunteer softball umpire, a 4th of July parade marshal, and continues to work the Adopt-A-Highway clean-up project with his Council. He has also served two terms as president of his homeowners’ association.

Our nominee has held various offices in the Council, District, State, and Assembly. In addition, he has chaired various committees in these groups. When his council needed him to teach younger Knights how to chair committees, he cheerfully volunteered to his Grand Knight to co-chair the Family committee. Even though his schedule was full, he made time to mentor younger Knights of our Order in the proper execution of programs and support for his Grand Knight.

As a testimony to his leadership ability, the council received the following awards during his tenure as Grand Knight: Council Activity Award, 2nd place in the International Service Program contest (Ray’s Care Givers), Star council Award, vocations Sponsor Award, State Deputy’s Award, KOVAR Gold award (exceeding goal by 15 percent), State softball tournament (2nd place), County early bird softball tournament 92nd place), champions of the Christian Fellowship softball league national conference tournament and champions of Church softball league, division III. In addition, the council’s nominees for Family of the Year and Outstanding Young Woman of the Year won the State contests. As a District Deputy, he won Star District recognition from Supreme.

Our nominee has won several Council Family of the Month Awards, Knight of the Month Awards, and the Sir Knight of the Year Award from his Assembly.

Our nominee was chosen as a result of his personal dedication and drive to his Church, Council, and community. His support at regular Council meetings and his proactive nature help correct situations before they become problems. It would have been easy for him to ease back and relax after his year as Grand Knight. Or sought to vie for State officer positions after his two years of service as a District Deputy. Our nominee chooses to devote his energies to his Church and Council. He personally stays in contact with several of the widows of the Council, as well as brother Knights who are in poor health. Our nominee lives the dream of Fr. McGivney and shows other Knights that the dream is still alive.

The Knight of the Year for 1998 has been an extremely active member of his council and our order for thirty years. He is a shining example of a Catholic gentleman and Knight of Columbus. – dependable, responsible, dedicated, and completely committed. Supposedly, no one is irreplaceable, but it is hard to imagine how his council, church, and community would get along without him. He is active as a CCD teacher and the choir, a tireless worker for his parish’s annual Christmas Bazaar, and chairs and supports numerous fundraisers. He provides a taxi service to the elderly and spends many hours collecting for KOVAR. He works both of the council’s weekly bingo sessions, serves as the volunteer facility manager of his council home, and is the first to volunteer his services and talents to support council functions. He is a Past Grand Knight, a Former District Deputy, and a Past faithful Navigator in the Fourth Degree.

Our Knight of the Year has been a Knight for thirty-seven years. He has held all the chair
positions in his Council through Grand Knight and Trustee. He was a District Deputy. He is an extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and has been on the Parish Council in his parish.

He is a great role model for his children and grandchildren, as well as the young scouts with whom he is still active. He is a hobbyist and spends a lot of time on woodworking. He makes items, and then he donates them to those in need for the annual church bazaar. He spends time training his Council’s Boy Scout Troop and conducts instruction for the Catholic Scouting Award, the Ad Altare Dei Award. His service to his Council can be described briefly.
He does everything. He is the first to volunteer. He has chaired and continues to be a key participant in Bingo, Christmas tree sales, Christmas card sales, KOVAR collection, and Council dinners and functions.

Our Knight of the Year remains totally dedicated after many years of service. He fosters the spirit of unity and fraternity, which inspires his Council’s younger members. His patriotism and love of country are exemplary. He serves as captain of our Fourth Degree Exemplification team.

A Knight for 46 years. James has been a Grand Knight, a KOVAR chairman, and he has served on the Charities Committee, Veterans Hospital, and Food for the Poor, and his extraordinary efforts have been demonstrated by his work. At the Veterans Hospital in Richmond, where 10 years ago, he organized the Christmas Party, and he said, on Christmas Eve. By this time, he knows who it is, so I will tell you some more stories. He came up to me, and he said, “Bill, can you bring some turkeys to the VA hospital at 2:00 on Christmas Eve?” And I said, “Jim, what are you trying to do?” He said, “Well, I am going to have a party for all the people, all the patients at the hospital.” I said, “But it is Christmas Eve; all the people will be busy.” But he said, “Well, I think you could do it.” And he had a little list, and he went around to see every council in the city of Richmond, and he saw all the assemblies, and he put together the party. And now, every Christmas Eve, the twelve councils and two assemblies feed everybody in the hospital — the patients, the doctors, the nurses, guests, and it is all because of Jim Dowling.

But he wasn’t finished. He also has a little list that he keeps every month. There is a bingo game that goes on in the VA Hospital. Jim has never asked the council if they would like to volunteer to assist the VA Hospital. He just assigns them a month, and then if they can’t make it that month, he gives them another month.