Worthy Sirs, I hope this Newsletter finds you well. Our nineth Assembly meeting of the Fraternal year 2021-2022 was held on April 18th at St. Peters in Jackson, MS. Assembly 554 Color Corps provided an Honor Guard on Wednesday April 20th for Confirmation at Holy Savior, with six Sir Knights participating. (M.F.D. Craig Harrell, FM.F.D. Bill O’Connor, M Steve Miller, C.C.C. Allen Scott, Sir Knight Chris Halliwell, and Sir Knight Ethan McCombs). After Confirmation a Sword Presentation Ceremony was performed by Master Craig Harrell where deceased Sir Knight Bill Hetrick’s Sword and Social Baldric was passed to Sir Knight Ethan McCombs by Bill’s wife Marilynn. The Honor Guard assisted in the ceremony along with Past State Deputy Jim McCraw who closed with prayer.
The MS State Convention at the Gold Strike in Tunica was a success. Through your hard work, Assembly 554 received several awards. At the Friday 4th Degree meeting Master Craig Harrell presented Assembly 554 The Civic Award. At the Friday evening banquet, State Deputy Roy Gomez presented Assembly 554 The Star Assembly Award and GK Eric Zmitrovich was presented the Honor Council Award for 7854.
Saturday mornings Necrology Mass was celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, Bishop Louis Kihneman, and State Chaplain Father Mike Austin. Assembly 554 Color Corps Members District Master Craig Harrell, Former Master Bill O’Connor, Marshal Steve Miller, Color Corp Commander Allen Scott, and Sir Knight Chris Halliwell participated in the Honor Guard along with Color Corps Members from around the State.
At Saturday evening banquet, Assembly 554 walked away with three of the top four State Assembly Awards. State Deputy Roy Gomez presented Chris Halliwell the Sir Knight of the Year Award, presented Allen Scott (wife Maureen) the Family of the Year Award, and presented Assembly 554 the Assembly of the Year Award.
Also Assembly 554’s “To Be A Patriot” submission was selected as the best in the State and has been sent to VSM Pete Porter for consideration as best submission in Beinville Province. Fingers crossed!
On Friday April 29th Assembly members Chris Halliwell, Charlie Collins, Jim McCraw, Bill O’Connor, Tommy McCraw, and Max Beluso performed Phase 1 of the Flagpole Relocation project at the Clinton Cemetery. (Dex Hardy, FN Miller’s grandson provided a vital role by delivering the beer) Plans are to finish Phase 2 this Friday May 6th. Thanks, brothers, for your hard work and dedication.
This Thursday evening May 5th there will be a Color Corps training session from 6:30 – 8:30pm at St. Richard’s Glynn Hall. If you are a Color Corps member please attend, and bring you sword, service baldric, and gloves. If you are considering joining the Color Corps, you are welcome to attend. There may be an opportunity to participate in the KC Color Corps at this years Special Olympics on Friday May 13th at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. The details
are being worked out, but if you think you would like to participate let me know ASAP so you can be vetted. I will be driving down and have room for up to five CC members.
There is an Honor Guard request for Andrew Bowden’s Ordination into the Priesthood May 14th at the Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle at 10:30 am mass. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to mass.
There is a grounds maintenance day planned at the Carmelite Monastery for Saturday May 21st starting at 8:30am. If you have questions, contact Chris Halliwell.
On Saturday May 28th at 10am Assembly 554 and local council members will be placing American Flags on veteran graves at the Clinton and Cedar Grove Cemeteries where 270 veterans have been identified for the Memorial Day
Observance. Prior to flag placement the Color Guard will Present colors and brief ceremony will follow.
On June 11th, the St. Richard Assembly will host the last Patriotic 4th degree Exemplification of the 2021-2022 Fraternal year. If you know of a brother who would like to finish his journey to Complete Knighthood, please assist him signing up or have them contact me or District Master Craig Harrell. Also, we will need all Color Corps members to participate if possible.
Thursday June 16th is KC Night at Trustmark Park. This year Assembly 554 has invited veterans from the Veterans Home in Jackson to come. We will need lots of help getting them from the front gate to their seats and providing for them during the game. If you can help with this, please contact Bill O’Connor.
Flag Day is June 14th. On Friday June 17th at 10pm we will be retrieving flags from veteran graves at Clinton and Cedar Grove Cemeteries in Clinton. Please assist if possible.
I believe that covers it for now. Be safe. Our next Assembly Meeting is May 16th at
my home/shop in Raymond at 6pm. Come early, bring a chair, and have a little something to eat and drink. Reminder we will be voting on New Officers for the Fraternal Year 2022-2023.
Vivat Jesus!
Steve Miller, FN