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March 2015

DISTRICT MASTER’S MESSAGE Worthy Sir Knights and Brothers All, We just completed the Exemplification at St. Patrick’s Church in Fayetteville and brought in 38 more Sir Knights. Congratulations to our newest members of the Patriotic Arm of the Order! I want to thank all the Assemblies for their attention to completing the Annual Survey of Fraternal Activi-ty (Form 1728C). We had 100% participation. The next exemplification is Saturday, April 18, 2015 at St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second Street NE, Hick-ory, NC 28601 – hosted by The Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger Assembly No. 1713. The instructions, dress code form and an example of a properly completed form 4 are attached for your reference and use. “Do not wait. Recruit candidates now.” This is a less expensive way for a Third Degree brother to become a member of the Patriotic Arm of the Order and do it in just one day. Remember, new members are the life blood of the Order. I truly believe that belonging to the Order of the Knights of Columbus and becoming a Fourth Degree Knight is the “Experience of a Life Time”. Sir Knights with regalia – please make every effort to attend all exemplifications as a member of the Color Corps, properly dressed. If you don’t have regalia, see if you can borrow from another Sir Knight or your Assem-bly. If you can’t, attend anyhow. It is important that the candidates see that we are proud to have them join our ranks and we are behind them 100%. It is now time for Assemblies to be thinking about who will be the next Assembly Officers for the frater-nal year of 2015 / 2016. As soon as elections are held, there are two things the Navigator / Comptroller must do. 1. Go on the State website (www.kofcnc.org), under the “4th Degree” section and fill out the directory form. 2. Go to the Supreme website (www.kofc.org) and complete Form 186 – Report of Officers Chosen for the Term. It can be done online or download and do it manually. Please send the VSM and me a copy. I can assure you that I, the District Marshal and his ADMs, and the District Secretary will be reminding you. District Marshal Rick Lewis has more on this topic in this issue. If you want to be taken off our reminder list, then do items 1 and 2 right after the elections, especially item 2. The North Carolina State Convention will be the weekend of May 15 through 17 at the New Bern Con-vention Center. Saturday, May 16th is Armed Forces Day. On Armed Forces Day at last year’s convention we had 34 Sir Knights participate in the Honor Guard for the Mass. This year let’s see if we can top that. As the Patriotic Arm of the Order, this is a great way to show our thanks for the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces.

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God Bless You, God Bless Our Church, and God Bless America

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Dates for various Assembly Forms and when due: 6/30 – RSVP and Plaque Application – Form 2863A 6/30 – Civic Award Application – Form 2321 6/30 – To Be a Patriot Award Entry Form – Form TBP-1 7/1 – Report of Officers Chosen for the Term (100% participation) – Form 186 7/1 – Fourth Degree Directory Form, as mentioned above (100% participation) – State website 8/1 – Annual Assembly Audit Report (100% participation) – Form 1315 These are the due dates, but don’t wait until the last minute to complete them. For the most part, there is no reason why you can’t do them at least a month ahead of time. Lent has begun and it is time to reflect on the Way of the Cross and the Passion of Jesus Christ. As I did last year, I would like to end my article with the following quote. It comes from a set of prayers I try to pray every day and to me is one of the most profound statements.

“Sweetest Jesus! What is there that Thou couldst have done for us which Thou has not done!” Fraternally, District Master SK Dave Onofrio, PSD

God Bless You, God Bless Our Church, and God Bless America

District Master’s Message Continued

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Worthy Sir Knights All, I want to express my thanks to all parties involved in the selection process for the "Honoree" of the Exemplification at Saint Patrick's on Sat-urday Feb. 28th. It was a total surprise to me, and although I am very ap-preciative, I wish someone had asked me. My sneaky wife and my friends never leaked a word. This being my 49th consecutive year with the KofC, I can truly say it's an honor to be part of such a patriotic and generous or-ganization. I will not mention names, for the fear of leaving someone out, but I must mention one particular individual who inspired me to go further than I thought I ever could. That person is State Master David Onofrio. I first met him as the State Deputy and then later interacted with him closely as State Ceremonial Chairman. I've never met anyone who feels that comfort-able in any job, let alone ALL the positions that he has held for all these years. To him and to all involved, heartfelt thanks and together with my wife, Camille at my side, and your continuing prayers, we'll beat this nasty disease. Fraternally, Sir Knight Al Grupy, PGK, PFN Assistant District Marshal

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Worthy Masters and All Sir Knights:

Guess What? We are starting the final third of this Fraternal Year and we need to look at what we have accomplished. More importantly we need to look at what we still have to complete before this Frater-nal Year ends.

Membership is very disappointing. As of February 1, 2015, here are the percentages of growth in membership toward our membership goals. Florida 33% Georgia 34% North Carolina 34% Puerto Rico 50% South Carolina 33%

Only four months remain in this Fraternal Year to reach 100% of our membership goals. Sadly, the DeSoto Province stands at 38% of its goal. In the remaining months there are seven Exemplification dates on the calendar. Faithful Navigators, check with the District Master on upcoming Exemplification dates and let’s get to work on getting those new Sir Knights. It is not an impossible task and I know it can be accomplished.

Since my last message, an Exemplification was held on January 31, 2015, in Miami, Florida where 88 new Sir Knights were welcomed. On February 21, 2015, an Exemplification was held in Columbia, South Carolina which welcomed 59 new Sir Knights. An Exemplification is scheduled for February 28, 2015, in Fayetteville, North Carolina and I will report on it in my April message. The only Exemplification scheduled for March is in Puerto Rico on March 8, 2015.

In regard to holding an Exemplification, it is important to remember that a Fourth Degree Exem-plification must be a stand-alone Degree. It is not to be held in conjunction with any other Degree.

Congratulations to North Carolina and South Carolina for having submitted 100% of their Frater-nal Activity Reports. There are still many Assemblies that are outstanding in the other three Districts. We need 100% in all Districts. How hard is it to fill out the paperwork and submit it to Supreme with copies to the District Master, Vice Supreme Master and the Assembly’s file? Faithful Navigators check to see that your Assembly has submitted its Report and contact your Master if you have any questions on its submis-sion. This is part of your duties. All I can say is if not submitted as yet then my message is “Get it done ASAP”. No more excuses.

Currently, we have 140 of the 153 VA Medical Centers covered with Knights of Columbus Repre-sentatives or Deputy Representatives. Please be sure that all Medical Centers in the DeSoto Province are covered by Knights of Columbus representation. This is very important.

I am again asking for all to please consider one more donation before the end of May, 2015, so that the Military Chaplains Fund project will be closed out when the fraternal year ends on June 30, 2015. As of this message, we have total contributions of $956,226.98, which leaves a total of $43,773.02 to be raised by the end of this fraternal year. Currently there are 36 men in the co-sponsored Seminarian program with an additional 12 men who are in various Chaplaincy candidate programs but not yet in our scholarship pro-gram. There are also several men who are in the process of looking for acceptance in the seminary and into the co-sponsored Seminarian program. Only 277 Catholic Chaplains out of 800 allotted positions serve our military men and women throughout the world.

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All checks should be made payable to “Knights of Columbus Charities” and on the memo line of the check write “Military Chaplains Fund”. Send the checks to Gary L. McLain, VSM, 36 Currant Ave, Middleburg, FL 32068. Any questions or needed information should be directed to me at garymc36@comcast.net or by calling me at (904) 406-2718. Donations are tax exempt and will be acknowledged by a letter from Supreme by information provided on your check. We wish a happy St. Patrick’s Day to all those who are Irish and to all those who wish they were Irish.

Fraternally, Gary L. McLain, PSD Vice Supreme Master DeSoto Province

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

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Photo courtesy of SK Lew McCloud

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ATTENTION!

This training applies to Assembly Comptrollers also!

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2015 North Carolina Fourth Degree Regional Exemplification

April 18, 2015

Hosted By: The Msgr. Eugene Livelsberger Assembly No. 1713, Hickory Where: St. Aloysius Church, 921 Second Street NE, Hickory, NC 28601 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 your luncheon fee. Luncheon: Immediately following the Exemplification at approximately 3:00 PM – Please advise if there are any Dietary Restrictions! FEES & PAYMENTS Candidates fee is $70.00. 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 $20.00 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!! Candidate and Guest money, completed Form 4, and the completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in together no later than April 4, 2015. No refund requests will be accepted after that date. Observer and Guest money and completed Exemplification Dress Code Form must be sent in by the same date. If the Form 4 is not complete, it will not be accepted. See attached example of a completed Form 4. Send to District Master SK David L. Onofrio, 601 Parker Street, Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 If you are planning on staying overnight, there are some Hotels and Motels in the area that you should be able to use. “Do not wait. Recruit candidates now.” This is a less expensive way for a Third Degree brother to

become a member of the Patriotic Arm of the Order and do it in just one day.

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April 18, 2015 Hickory Exemplification

The following “Exemplification Dress Code Form MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, AND SUBMITTED WITH EACH CANDIDATE'S COMPLETED FORM 4

Appropriate Dress for Candidate and/or Observers is Black Tuxedo, Plain White Tuxedo Pleated Shirt (with lay down collar - NO wing tips allowed), Black Bow Tie, Black Shoes, Black Socks, Black Cummerbund. Observers must also wear their social baldric and the PG-113 lapel pin, not the flag lapel pin. Candidate will receive his Social Baldric and Fourth Degree pin in the Ante-Chamber after register-ing with the District Secretary. Clergy to wear their “Blacks” or cassock. Active Duty Military may wear their Class A or Dress Uniform instead of the Black Tuxedo. You also have an option of not wearing the baldric with your dress uniform. No weapons, concealed or otherwise, are permitted! Attach lower portion to candidate's completed Form 4 and send to the District Master OBSERVERS MUST COMPLETE THIS FORM ALSO, IF ATTENDING THE LUNCHEON. I fully understand the above requirements and must be in the appropriate dress to be eligible to take my Fourth Degree. I am to report to the District Secretary’s Registration Desk no later than 1 hour prior to the published start time of the Exemplification (9:30AM to 10:00 AM is recom-mended). Print Full Name of Candidate or Observer ________________________________________________________________________ Please indicate whether you are staying for luncheon YES NO Will you be bringing a guest for the luncheon? YES NO Print Full Name of Guest_____________________________________________ Please advise if there are any Dietary Restrictions! _________________________________________________________________________ No refund requests will be accepted after February 14, 2015 ASSEMBLY OFFICERS: THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED OUT AND SIGNED BY THE CANDIDATE AND ATTACHED TO THE CANDIDATE'S FORM 4. BOTH MUST BE SUBMITTED, TOGETHER, TO THE DISTRICT MAS-TER ALONG WITH A CHECK FROM THE ASSEMBLY MADE OUT TO THE “MASTER'S FUND”.

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Properly completed Form 4

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Greetings Sir Knights;

We are quickly approaching that time of year again where each assembly will consider its leadership for the next fraternal year; Annual Elections. This annual event is important for the stability and growth of your Assembly, and is not something that should be done last minute. To plan properly for this event, we need to work backwards from the date of your assembly election in order to have enough time to pre-pare a slate of officers and give all members of the Assembly ample time to review and consider their op-tions.

WHEN TO HOLD ELECTIONS:

Per the Supreme By-laws governing the Fourth Degree, Article VIII, Section 23, subsection j; “The regular election of officers in Assemblies shall take place annually at the first regular business meeting of the assembly held in May of each year. The officers then elected all hold office for the term of one year, except the faithful trustees who election is for a three year term and until their successors are elected and qualified.” Navigators should mark their Assembly calendars now so that all membership knows when the elections will be held.

WHEN TO PRESENT THE SLATE OF OFFICERS:

A slate of officers should be presented to your membership for your April meeting by the nomi-nating committee. The proposed slate of officers should be read into the minutes of the meeting by one of the committee members for the record. The slate needs to be provided to ALL members after being read at the meeting. It is recommended that a hard mailing (USPS) be done with the slate to ensure all members receive it. However, email can be used if you are confident every member receives emails. Those who do not will have to have the slate mailed to them.

WHEN TO PREPARE THE SLATEOF OFFICERS AND BY WHOM:

Solicitation of those seeking office should occur in March. Though at the discretion of the Faithful Navigator to appoint a nominating committee to prepare the slate of officers, this is a great job for the As-sembly Trustees. In considering candidates for office, the committee should ensure that each candidate seeking election: A. Understands what the duties of that office are. Candidates should be provided with a written docu-

ment to read through. Copies of each position can be found in a number of periodicals of the Fourth Degree. Make them available

B. Be able to perform the tasks consistently throughout the year C. Be able to attend assembly meetings regularly, as well as other officer meetings as designated by the

Faithful Navigator.

A slate of officers CAN have more than one proposed name for an officer position, provided the nominating committee has vetted the candidates properly to ensure they are qualified to fulfill the office.

If you have any questions regarding the process for preparing or presenting a slate of officers, you can contact your Assistant District Marshal for assistance, or contact me directly.

Fraternally, SK Rick Lewis, PFN NC District Marshal

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MEMBERSHIP in the Fourth Degree

The life blood of any organization Without bringing in new members, what happens? How long can the same men continue doing each program over and over again? How long can the same men continue as the officers over and over again? How long can the same men march in parades over and over again? I think you get my point. We are all getting older and many cannot do all the things or be as involved as they used to, no matter how dedi-cated and devoted to the Order and the Fourth Degree they are. Even if you have a large number of mem-bers in your Assembly, it doesn't matter. There are so many ways the VISIBLE ARM of the Order can get involved, but we can't if we don't ask more brothers to join the Fourth Degree and become active. Notice the key words – become active. I don't know about you but I'm proud to be a member of the largest Catholic, Family, Fraternal, Service Organization in the World. I'm proud of all that we stand for, and do, throughout our Church, Communities and our Countries. I'm proud of the common bond we share – Our Faith. I'm proud to call each and everyone of you – My Brothers. If you share this pride, then let's, together, do something about it. Let's share this feeling with oth-ers and ask them to join us. We have so many brothers who have not taken the step to become a part of the Patriotic Degree. They just need a nudge and a reminder of what we stand for. In these economic times, they may feel they cannot afford to spend the money for a tuxedo and an entire weekend at a hotel. That's where we can help. As you know, the Fourth Degree does have Regional Exemplifications. They are on a Saturday and you come and go the same day. The cost to a candidate is $70 and the cost of a tuxedo. There are a few J C Penny stores that still offer a discounted price for the proper tuxedo attire that makes up the official uniform of a Sir Knight. This is not a corporate program and entirely up to the store manager. He may tell you it's a corporate program, but it isn't. KC Formalwear - this is located at the State Fairgrounds but do not wait until Sept or Oct. to go there. Late Sept they prepare to move out to make room for the State Fair. Oct. is the State Fair. Start now!!!! The new owner is Monica Faith - her phone number is 919-586-1456 and email is kctuxedo@gmail.com. Her website is www.raleightuxedo.com. They are still located in one of the enclosed buildings. One of our Sir Knights just bought 2 shirts and an extra set of cuff links for $12. Another place to get a Tux is Formalwear Outlet in Hillsborough. They have a package of a com-plete Tux (jacket, pants, shirt, bow tie, cummerbund, studs, & cufflinks) for $95 + tax. Just have members tell them they are Knights. 415 Millstone Drive Hillsborough, NC 27278 Now for the correct formal wear for each of you: Black Tuxedo (normally this would be the "After 6" version) - no tails, just a straight bottom cut jacket with normal lapels. Plain white tuxedo shirt - pleated and with a straight collar (no wing tip collars). Black bow tie. Tuxedo studs and cuff links (these are the round black ones). Black cummerbund (no vests). Black socks and shoes. SK Dave Onofrio, District Master

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One Nation Under God Designated Flag Flying Days from the U.S. Flag Code

New Year’s Day, January 1 Inauguration Day, January 20

Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, (third Monday in January) Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12

Washington’s Birthday, (third Monday in February) Easter Sunday (variable)

Mother’s Day, (second Sunday in May) Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15 (half-staff all day)

Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May

Flag Day, June 14 Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, first Monday in September Patriot Day, September 11 (half-staff all day)

Constitution Day, September 17 Columbus Day, (second Monday in October)

Navy Day, October 13 Veterans Day, November 11

Thanksgiving Day, (fourth Thursday in November) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7 (half-staff all day)

Christmas Day, December 25

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Knights of Columbus District of North Carolina Programs

The following programs are considered as District wide. Military Chaplain Scholarship Fund – To support priestly vocations for the mili-tary. This is reserved exclusively for seminarians who will, once ordained, serve both their home diocese and the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, as a uniformed chaplain. The goal is to have each State, combined with the Fourth De-gree District, raise a minimum of $4000 per year over a five year period. Checks are to be made payable to “Knights of Columbus Charities” with the notation “Military Scholarship” in the memo area and mailed to:

Gary L. McLain, VSM 36 Currant Avenue

Middleburg, FL 32068 Wounded Warrior Fund – Run through the Military Order of the Purple Heart, we raise money to send all of the Wounded Warriors, in the Military Hospital at Camp Lejeune Marine Base, home for the Holidays. This is a 501c3 non-profit or-ganization and your contributions are tax deductible. 100% of the money is used to send them home. This program has been approved by Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard. Checks are to be made payable to “M.O.P.H.” with the notation “Wounded Warrior Fund” in the memo area and mailed to:

Robert J. Singer, FVSM, FDM, PSD 2506 Canal Drive

Wilson, NC 27896-1326 VAVS (Veterans Assistance Volunteer Service) – This encompasses so many activities in support of our Veterans and it is only limited by your imagination. SK Tom DuPree is our representative for this extremely valuable program and has im-plemented several ways we can help and work with our Veterans. One such activity was the collection, at the Fourth Degree Exemplification, of specific items that are needed at the VA Medical Centers in NC. Please contact Tom, find out what he has already set up and volunteer. Tom is always looking for more ideas.

Tom DuPree, North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA twdupree@aol.com

H- 919-577-6901 or C- 919-302-5550

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Knights of Columbus

District of North Carolina Programs

“One Nation Under God” Pledge Program – It calls for all assemblies in each

U. S . state to gather at the state's capital city on Flag Day, June 14th, to conduct

a flag ceremony and recite the Pledge of Allegiance each year. Every Assembly

should plan and event in their community for Flag Day. Assistant District Mar-

shal Paul Spire is heading this up for the District.

Contact Paul at: pspire@hotmail.com

Patriotic Coupon Program – All we are asking you to do is to save all the na-

tional product unexpired or expired coupons and send them to Joe Bailer. He is

working with his contacts at Fort Bragg to distribute these coupons to military

families in the U.S. and overseas. This doesn't involve any manual labor (except

using a pair of scissors) and would mean so much to many military families.

There is no reason you can't get your Assemblies and Councils involved imme-

diately, at little or no cost.

Contact info:

Joe Bailer

3717 Colorado Drive

Hope Mills, NC, 28348-2106

910-424-4880, No email

At the 4th Degree Exemplification Lunch-eon, the helmet was passed around and a collec-tion was taken up for the “Military Chaplains Fund”. Thanks to your generosity, $401.00 was raised for this very important program and we know that our efforts are greatly appreciated.

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Greetings Grand Knights, Faithful Navigators and Brothers All,

Vivat Jesus!

By the time you receive this month’s issue, hopefully our winter season would have come to an end. Spring is a time of renewal and thus, I ask each of you to renew your efforts in support of our Veterans. In this issue, (see flier) I provide additional guidance on the “Dollar per Knight Challenge” (also see February article in Golden Plume and Tar Heel Knight for additional infor-mation.) Thanks to those who have already made their donation. Monies are due by April 24, 2015 so that a check can be cut to present to Durham VA Medical Center on April 28, 2015, This check will be presented on behalf of the Knight of Columbus, North Carolina. Wheel Chair Games: This year’s games will be held in Dallas, Texas June 20-27, 2015. The four VA Medical Centers will be sending teams to these Games. Each of the VA Medical Centers, Chiefs, Voluntary Services has requested the continual support of the Knights in supporting our Veterans at these games. My VAVS Representatives will be contacting your Councils and Assem-blies in the coming months to seek monetary support for these Veterans. To give you an estimate of cost: a room for the week is $1,008.56 and flight is around $400. Rooms are shared by two Vet-erans. In the past seven years, we have sent Veterans from Durham and Salisbury. Read the fol-lowing letter from John C. Wills, Navy Veteran from Team Durham Avengers VAMC “Dear Sirs: I want to personally thank you for your efforts to send myself & my fellow Veterans to the Nation-al Wheel Chair Games in the City of Brotherly Love, I would have been under hardship if I took on this endeavor by myself along with my teammates, if was a heartfelt gifts that you and your fel-low Knights gladly gave us, starting with, uniform sweats that are sharp, good looking and give the team a look that we in the State of NC and the Durham VA Medical Center can be proud to wear!!! Then your fellow Knights were just getting started by supplying us with hotel and airfare which again was really from your hearts and made myself and my teammates feel really special, it’s hard for us in wheel chairs to get such great support from others. Sometimes as we are seen as different or broken, but I really noticed that with you Knights don’t that way about us and care that we suc-ceed in our efforts as wheel chair athletes which in itself makes me feel like whole person and wor-thy to give by all and see how far I can go the distance!! Then as another heartfelt gesture you take care of rooms the night before our flight to make the trip a little less stressful for coaches and fel-low athletes, I know truly think that without your support of our Durham Avengers Wheel Chair Athletic Team it would have been not the trip that makes us feel like we could give all to compete on the National Level as this event has 500-700 athletes from all States and Territories of our Country, so I have seen on reading about your group that you help put in the United States Pledge of Allegiances “in God we trust”!! and since I agree with that, I can only feel that God sent you to help us succeed in this event Bless you all for this, and I want to personally say thank you for the picnic you are throwing for us along with rooms at a hotel close to the picnic to make it easier for my fellow teammates.” How can we not support these great American Veterans???

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(Veterans Affairs

Voluntary Service)

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Fraternally, SK Thomas W. (Tom) DuPree Jr. PGK, PFN, VAVS Representative Durham VA North Carolina District VAVS Representative VA, North Carolina State Council Veterans Affairs and VAVS Chairman

Leadership: Brothers, I need your assistance! VAVS Representatives and Deputy Reps are needed immediately for the Fayetteville Medical Center, Salisbury Medical Center and Asheville Medical Center. Reps regularly attend local VAVS Committee quarterly meetings and set up a VAVS point of contact at every Council, Assembly and Circle, to distribute meeting information (i. e. donations needs list and volunteer assignments). They assist with the coordination of plans and policies for community and Knights participation. They provide input/feedback to VA Staff and VA Committee. They promote donations of financial and material goods. They maintain records/ hours and donations. If interested, please contact me at twdupree@aol.com or 919-302-5550 cell for further discussion. Services: Greenville Health Care Center will be celebrating their first anniversary with a Health Fair on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 starting at 10:00 AM. For more information, please contact Ms. Karna Bennett, Voluntary Service Specialist at karna.bennett@va.gov or 252-830-2149 ext 3228. This HCC is the new concept for providing Medical Services to our Veterans. She and the Veter-ans need our support. My Knights of Columbus contact for the Greenville HCC is SK Thomas (Tommy) Potter III, GK Father Maurice Tew Council 15752 at ptotter30@gmail.com or 252-808-5343. This Center has one box and $400 cash to serve her Veterans. Suggested donation list: bath-room supplies, kitchen supplies, cleaning supplies, bedroom needs, clothes for men and women, gift cards, food item (non-perishable such as dry food and can food i.e. Hormel Complete Meals, bottle water. Fayetteville Medical Center: Sweat pants are desperately needed sizes small thru XXX. Durham Medical Center: In need of Hormel Complete Meals. Great need men’s size 11-15 tennis shoes. Does not have to be expensive shoes but brand NEW to assist our Veterans in need. They also need sweat shirts and sweat pants prefer blue or gray, size XL—XXX. Men’s underwear need medium thru X-Large. Reporting: Quarterly report due by April 15th for your Councils/Assemblies support of our Vet-erans. Please do not report activities done at the four VA Medical Centers under the VAVS pro-gram. They should be reported by the Rep and Deputy Rep at each facility. Suggest you do your report as you do the activity. Any questions, PLEASE CONTACT ME. “Thank you for serving those who served us.”

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Upcoming National Veterans Creative Arts Festival Fundraisers

April 11th: SpringFest Wine Tasting & Silent

Auction (Food Trucks & Vendors) Doyle’s Vineyard; 8913 North Carolina 751 Durham, North Carolina 27713 Wine Tasting Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door Silent Auction: Items are needed April 24th: Fish Fry Sponsored by Recreation

Therapy & EMS Held at the Durham VA Medical Center May 2nd: VA Bull City 5K Run, Walk, & Roll This event will start and finish at the Durham

VA Medical Center For more information about these events and the National

Veterans Creative Arts Festival please contact the NVCAF office at (919) 286-0411 ext 7728, ext 6070, or ext 6044.

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CHALLENGE $ Dollar per Knight

Supporting the Durham VA Medical Center As host site for 2015 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival

The Festival will be held in Durham NC (October 12-19, 2015). The National Creative Arts Festi-val originate 1981 to spotlight the 4 Creative Arts therapies of Art, Music, Dance and Drama. In 2005, a 5 Creative Arts division, Creative Writing, was added to the Festival Roster. Veterans from across the country in five divisions will feature their art exhibits showing the 1st place artwork from fifty-four categories. A live stage show, complete with orchestral accompaniment provided by the Music Performance Fund, is performed by Veterans who have achieved medal-winning status. Workshops are offered during the Festival Week for participants and staff, educating them in a variety of artistic modalities by utilizing the talent of local, community artists. There is NO competition at the Festival itself, as it is a showcase for previously judged medal winners. In 2014, 3,208 Veterans from 129 VA Medical Centers participated. Of those, approximately 150 winning Veterans earned an invitation to participate. Financial support by the Knights of NC GOAL: $16,400. This will go towards the Durham VA of $30,000. needed to fund this very important program. Please consider making a personal donation of $1.00 per knight. NC currently has 16,500 Brother Knights in 127 Councils and 47 Assemblies. How do I donate? Please give your donation to your Council FS and Assembly to your FC marked as “Dollar Per Knight”. Request the FS and FC to cut one check of the total donation of your Brother Knights, making check to Bishop McGuinness Assembly: Memo: Arts Festival. Mail to SK Jerry Cucurullo, FC Due date: Friday, April 24th 6208 Heacham Ct. Presentation: Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 2:30 Raleigh, NC 27614

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