Fourth Degree Mass at VAC, Togus

11/22/2022

Council: 1423 - No. WHITEFIELD

Project Description:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13 (NIV). Those who willingly offer to serve their Country do so at great risk. They may, as referenced by President Lincoln, “give their last full measure of devotion.” They may also bear invisible wounds, as evidenced by PTSD, psychological trauma, such as TBI, or physical trauma, including loss of function, or actual body parts. The Veteran may also be suffering from lack of support; from friends, family, and, sometimes, as in “AO”, the government itself. Because of this dynamic cascade of physical and emotional trauma already endured by the Service Member, they may find themselves under the care and treatment of the Veteran’s Administration. It is these fellow humans who deserve our utmost respect, honor, and care. The Knights have long provided assistance to the patients at Togus, but our ability to serve them has been severely thwarted and reduced by the impositions of the pandemic of Covid-19. neverless, we Knights are still able to attend, and serve Fr. Jacob George, at the weekly Mass at the Chapel. On this day, ten Sir Knights were present, including the State Deputy, Jon Harvey, District Master, Duane Belanger, State Secretary, Michael Giroux, and SKs from “the County” south to the Lewiston-Auburn area. Although we were not able to continue our fellowship as we had in the past, we fervently pray that we will one day be able to continue our tradition of actually escorting the patients from their wards, to Mass, and back.
A Reminder: Each Council has an assigned date to participate in “Operation Wheelchair.” When the Fourth Degree is scheduled, don’t let the lack of the New Uniform stop you from attending, and supporting this effort.