Both grief at the loss of a beloved Knight and the threat of heavy rain led to the postponement for a second time of the Knights of Columbus and the Borough of Highlands celebrating the Pledge of Allegiance ceremonies at the Twin Lights Sunday.
Yet the Knights of the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council put aside their grief and continued to host their Appreciation Mass and Breakfast for all veterans at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. The Knights were joined by representatives of the VFW Post 6902 of Highlands and VFW Post 2179 of Port Monmouth, together with the American Legion Post 143 in Highlands and Legion Posts 338 in Leonardo, together with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 22 of Sandy Hook and the NOSC Earle at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo.
Veterans, Knights, and church members said prayers and remembered Knight Thomas Welch, Jr., who died suddenly four days before the Veterans event at age 34. Welch’s parents Tom and Louise, who is president of the Columbiettes, were both present for the veterans appreciation ceremonies.
Grand Knight Kevin McKenna was master of ceremonies for the Veterans Appreciation ceremonies that followed the Appreciation Mas at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and welcomed all to the ceremony, asking all to join in thanking veterans for all they have done in the service of their nation. McKenna is Grand Knight of the Council.
The Rev. Jarlath Quinn, a Knight of Columbus and pastor of the OLPH St Agnes Parish, gave the opening prayer and Faithful Admiral for the Bishop McFaul Assembly Ian McGinnis led the Pledge of Allegiances. Grand Knight McKenna also made introductions and Albert Doty, Former District Deputy and Past Faithful Navigator for the Assembly, gave the Navigator’s Message.
Ellen Williams sang a musical rendition of the Pledge of Allegiance with music written by Mike Strickland and lyrics by Francis Bellamy. Â The Solas Na Mara Pipes and Drum Corps of the Highlands VFW post also played God Bless America and Father Quinn offered a special blessing for all veterans.
Knights Council Past Grand Knight Mike Napolitano, who headed up plans and arrangements for the event as well as a the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Borough of Highlands, said the celebration of the Pledge of Allegiance being said publicly for the first time at the Twin Lights, together with the revision of the Pledge adding the words “under God’ at the behest of the Knights of Columbus many years ago will be celebrated at another date in the future, possibly in April. Plans will be announced when final arrangements are made.
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