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| Bill Welch and Dave Johnston |
Spouses were invited to attend and widows were guests. Knights were dressed in full regalia. The awards and the installation ceremony were preceded by a $13 per plate dinner with the following menu: Caesar salad, crusted Parmesan chicken breast, Florentine tomato and shell pasta in a sun dried tomato with Tiramisu and lady fingers for dessert.
The meeting began with awards announced and presented by Faithful Navigator Bill Welch:
Appreciation Award to Phil Carl "For all of your work over the years."
One of the backbones of the St Francis House Project, co-chair of the CPID project, and Honor Guard member, to name just a few of the many activities you have undertaken during this period of your life, we all wish you happiness in the next phase of your life.
Service Award to Tom Yerina "Color Guard Commander since 1998"
There is not enough room on this plaque to cover the many activities you have undertaken for the Church and this organization. You have stayed with the Honor Guard during periods with short lead times and a limited number of available members. Recently you covered the funeral of Bishop McDonald with a special thank you from our State Master Russ Anzalone who stated, "Of all the units in the state, you provided more guards and covered the majority of the difficult times."
Family of the Year to Mike and Ruth Kerwin
You two are exceptional - Eucharistic Ministers, Mass servers, members of various Church organizations, Meals on Wheels, Helping Hands, Jackson House, Habitat for Humanity, Christmas Baskets, Exemplifications, and last but not least, the St. Francis House Project. Mike has been the Faithful Navigator twice and as next year’s Faithful Captain, he may hold the position of Faithful Navigator three times. Tuesday, April 7th, they participated in a Social at St Francis House, and Mike stood guard early Wednesday morning and took an active part in the Bishop McDonald’s funeral service as a member of the Honor Guard. I don’t think there has ever been a family who deserves this award more; I got tired just gathering information on what the two of you have done.
The new faithful officers were installed as follows:
Navigator Dave Johnston; Friar Father Elser; Admiral Bill Welch; Captain Mike Kerwin; Comptroller Sam Justus; Purser Mike Garstecki; Pilot Bill Gribbon; Scribe Jack Widlowski; Sentinel Inside John Lucas; Sentinel Outside Ray Ambrozich; Trustee 1 Jerry Bertrand; Trustee 2 Ron Boudreaux; and, Trustee 3 Ed Miller.
Dave Johnston thanked Bill Welch for his year of service as Faithful Navigator and presented him with a plaque. Ron Cuba will continue as Membership Chair, Tom Yerina as Honor Guard Captain, and Russ Harrison as Flags Forever Chair.
Photos can be viewed in the Photo Section.