The Golden Plume
Sir Knights & Brothers All,
October was a busy month for all, devastating for some and rewarding for others. For those Brother Knights sustaining the ravages of the Hurricane and flood, we will continue to keep you and your families in our thoughts and prayers. For those Brothers responding to the needs of the victims, thank you. However, the rebuilding of lives and homes is just beginning, please continue to support those in need and volunteer your time, efforts and assets as necessary.
November will be another busy month as well – please refer to the State website at www.kofcnc.org for the latest in all activities for the State and District.
Veterans Day, Friday Nov. 11 and weekend Veterans activities: Please turn out to support Parades and Memorials in remembering the sacrifices of all Veterans. We are the visible arm of the Order and we should be proud to wear our Regalia and participate in all activities commemorating this great National Holiday. Also, remember to take pictures and forward to the 4th Degree Website for posting and viewing. Remember these events are also related to the Awards Process, love to get as many pictures as possible submitted for all to view.
There is a 4th Degree Exemplification scheduled for Sat. Nov. 19 at St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville. Please submit all the required forms ASAP. There are copies of them made a part of this month’s Golden Plume for all to review, as well as posted in the 4th Degree Section of the State website, www.kofcnc.org. If your Assembly is sponsoring a candidate, please insure he is escorted to the Exemplification. If you have not been to one in a while, you can attend as an Observer – we would love to have you – please wear your tuxedo and /or regalia if you have it (not required), always use the help as Honor Guards. If you are an Observer and plan to attend the luncheon following the Exemplification, please be sure to complete the Observer form and submit with the required luncheon fee. All forms are to be submitted through your Assembly and total payment made by an Assembly check payable to the Master’s Fund. Personal checks will not be accepted.
The Vice Supreme Master Robert Anderson will be attending the 4th Degree Exemplification on Nov. 19, joining us from Florida. The Honoree will be the immediate Former District Master David Onofrio, to thank him for his four years of dedicated service to the North Carolina District. The Host Assembly is Cardinal Gibbons Assembly No. 783 of Fayetteville and we thank them very for all their support for this Exemplification to be successful.
Where to purchase a tuxedo? I have been getting inquiries as to where to purchase a tuxedo for our future SK’s. I would like to add a section to the 4th Degree Website for candidates to seek a location in their area to purchase a tuxedo. If you wish to share, please forward to me at dm@kofcnc.org and I will place on the 4th Degree Website. Thank you for your help.
NOVEMBER 29, 2016 – 6:30 PM, ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, CARY, NC – FINAL CELEBRATORY MASS FOR BISHOP MICHAEL P. BURBIDGE FOR THE DIOCESE OF RALEIGH. My Brothers, time for us to show our gratitude and thank our Bishop for his outstanding support of the Knights of Columbus in North Carolina. We will place updates on the State Website as well as e-mail blasts as necessary.
Military Order of the Purple Heart, M.O.P.H., sends Wounded Warriors home for the Christmas Holidays. Please continue to support this most worthwhile program as the 4th Degree has done so since 2006. FVSM Bob Singer has an article included in this issue of the THK with information as to “check payable to” and where to send your donation.
Wish to support Active Duty Military Personnel? Following is an excellent opportunity to assist Military Personnel traveling via Raleigh International Airport, held overnight or grounded due to bad weather. I recently spoke with a USO representative and she suggested gift cards from local restaurants, Walmart, etc. Any denomination of $10, $15 to $25 would be appreciated. This would be a tremendous program for Assemblies as well as Councils to get their Church congregation to support. Should you receive cash donations, you purchase the gift cards or if you wish, you can forward a check to me, “Master’s Fund” and I will purchase the gift cards and deliver to the airport. You can also send the gift cards directly to the Raleigh Airport at: USO of NC, PO Box 91443, Raleigh, NC 27676, Attn: Anna Martin. I spoke with FVSM Bob Singer and he is all for this program and does not feel it will interfere with the M.O.P.H., great to hear!
Yes, I know Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming, don’t want to rush it, but would like to mention some specific events that we will be supporting in January 2017 with Sir Knights in Regalia:
Right to Life March in Charlotte, NC, Friday January 13, 2017
Right to Life March in Raleigh, NC, Saturday January 21, 2017
National Right to Life March, Washington, DC, Friday January 27, 2017
Right to Life March in Jacksonville, NC, Saturday January 28, 2017
Please keep these events on your calendars open and thank you for your support.
Remember, the lifeblood of any organization is its membership and we must continue to offer Brother Knights the opportunity to become a Sir Knight with the Patriotic Degree of our Order. How do we get them to be one of us – ASK!!
Please remember: “Sir Knight is more than a title, it is an Honor”
Jo and I wish all a “Happy Thanksgiving” and if traveling, please arrive and return safely to us.
God Bless You, God Bless Our Church and God Bless America
Jack McMurray
IPSD, DM
District Marshall
Worthy Sir Knights and Brothers All,
Summer time is gone and all of the Fall activities are upon us. Now is the time for us to step up and show our “true colors” at a wide variety of events. Please prepare for the many Veteran Day parades, Christmas parades, Church drives plus the many other activities that we are requested to attend. Please ensure that your regalia is clean and pressed for all of these activities and you are correctly dressed for these important events. Remember we are measured by our looks and we are well known as the “feathers” that are at the lead of many of these events. Each of the Assemblies Color Guard should be proud to perform such duties and I request that we look our best.
There is a need to support the District Master at the upcoming exemplification in Fayetteville on November 19th by those who have regalia. Please show up no later than 11:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2840 Village Drive, Fayetteville, NC. Let us show the newest 4th Degree members what it means to be a proud member of our Degree by turning out in force.
Vivat Jesus
Paul Spire
District Marshall
Military Order of the Purple Heart (M. O. P. H.)
Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service
Greetings GK and Brothers All,
Vivat Jesus!
As we continue the change in seasons, I would like to thank this opportunity to wish you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving. Many of us were not affected by Hurricane Matthew but many of our neighbors were drastically affected. Please take a moment to see where you might be able to share your gifts to help these individuals recover their life-style.
Our Veterans, in the VA Medical Center (Community Living Center), Retirement Homes and Homeless Shelters need your support during this time of year also. If your Council and your Brothers would look at the opportunity to visit or share a meal with our Veterans during this Thanksgiving Season, it would mean so much to the morale of these Veterans. Contact the Chief, Voluntary Services at your local VA Medical Center to set up your plans.
This month has two very important civil dates: Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th and Veteran’s Day, Friday, November 11th. As a citizen of the United States, it is your obligation to VOTE. Thousands of Veterans gave the ultimate sacrifice for this privilege. Citizenship is one of the important principles of the Fourth Degree. On Veteran’s Day, take time to recognize, participate and thank our Veterans for the sacrifices they have made.
Coats for Vets: Now that the weather has turned cold, our coat program is in full swing! We are looking for NEW WINTER COATS (neutral colors) to be given to Veterans in need. As an example, the Durham VA Medical Center distributed 500 coats last year, bring the total to 2,500 since this program began. All four VA Medical Centers have a need for this assistance. See the flier below for more details.
Another item needed by all VA Centers are sweat pants and shirts (all sizes) NEW. Each VA uses between 900-1200 sets per year. This is a seasonal product available in the Fall and Winter seasons.
Reporting: We are approaching the reporting period for the Order. Form 1728 will be required by the State during the month of January meetings. There is an additional responsibility for reporting what your Council and Brothers have done to support our Veterans for the Year 2016. It is the responsibility of the GK to complete this report (due Monday, January 16, 2017). The information on this report is provided to the District Master, Vice-Supreme Master, and Supreme. Our goal is 100% participation! Report form is available on the State website in the Forms link on the left. In the list of forms that loads, scroll to the bottom and look for "VAVS Annual Report" (Or simply click the link here.) Report should be sent to my attention at twdupree@aol.com Any questions, please call me at 919-302-5550.
Other Needs: A donation of gift cards makes the process of purchasing items that are needed by our Veterans but not supplied by the VA easier. Example of cards requested: Walmart, Target, grocery chains, restaurants and theaters.
Fraternally, Brother SK Tom SK Thomas W. (Tom) DuPree Jr. PGK, PFN, VAVS Representative Durham VA North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA, N C State Council Veterans Affairs and VAVS Chairman St. Francis of Assisi Assembly # 3552 Faithful Navigator CELL #: 919-302-5550
2016 North Carolina Fourth Degree Regional Exemplification (One Day)
November 19, 2016
Hosted By: The Cardinal Gibbons Assembly No. 0783 St. Patrick Catholic Church 2840 Village Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304 Exemplification Time: 12 Noon sharp! Candidates should arrive no later than 10:00 AM and dressed as explained on the attached “Exemplification Dress Code Form” Observers: You should also be dressed in the official uniform of a Sir Knight, as explained on the Dress Code Form. You also must complete the Dress Code Form and submit with you luncheon fee. Mass: If you wish to attend, there will be a Mass at 9:00 AM prior to the exemplification. This is a wonderful way to begin the exemplification. We do not need an Honor Guard for the Mass. We will take up a collection at Mass for the USO. Luncheon: Immediately following the Exemplification at approximately 3:00 PM – Please advise if there are any Dietary Restrictions! If an overnight stay is needed, call the Fairfield Inn by Marriott at 562 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville, NC 23037 and mention you want the Knights of Columbus rate of $83+13% tax per night. 910-487-1400 x723. Cutoff for reservations is 11/01/16. FEES & PAYMENTS Candidates fee is $70. He will receive a social baldric, Fourth Degree lapel pin, one luncheon ticket, and a Fourth Degree certificate. This fee is governed by Supreme.
Observer and Guest fee will be $20 each and it will cover one luncheon ticket. The Master must have the name and Assembly number of all observers and the name of all guests. All checks must be from the Assembly and made payable to “Master's Fund”. There will be no personal checks accepted. DO NOT mail cash!! We will publish a special note with an update on who and where to send the forms and money, after the new Master is announced. Candidate and Guest money, completed form 4, and the completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in together no later than Tuesday, November 1, 2016. No refund requests will be accepted after that date. No signature is required on the Dress Code Form.
Observer and Guest money and completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in by the same date. No signature is required on the Dress Code Form.
If the form 4 is not complete, it will not be accepted.
Don’t wait – start recruiting now. Let’s make this a big class for the New Master.
