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Archdiocese of Washington District

Please enjoy the ADW Newsletter "The Shield". We will feature news, information, and updates from around the District, the State, and concerning our Faith.

It's Time To Get Moving!!!!!

Worthy Commander a while back I sent an email asking you to start rounding up Color Corps from you Assemblies for the Exemplification. I asked for 8 from each Assembly . Thus far I have gotten “0” commitments. We need

LTs - 1 (Purple)

Candidate Escort - 4 (White or Red)

Door Guard – 3 (Red)

Attached is the Roster I asked each of you to use ro report back to me with the names of brothers who will be helping. Please make the nessasary calls and let get these guys lined up for the best Exemplification yet.

Thanks

SK John Winfrey _{(FDD,PGK,PFN)}

Exemplification Rehearsals and Feedback

Our first rehearsal is this Sat. 1/16/2010 following the AWD Meeting @ St. Mary's the Assumption School. Please let me know of your availability.

I am not sure that I want to use slides this 1st time out, and am looking for your feedback and suggestions. Subsequent rehearsals will begin to incorporate Honor Guards and other logistics.

Other rehearsals now scheduled:

Sat. 2/6/10 - in school basement to include slides

Sat. 2/20/10 - to include procession logistics for the speakers at least.

Sat. 3/6/10 - in basement to include Honor Guards [earlier at SK Winfrey's request.

Sat. 3/20/10 @ 0945 - full dress "rehearsal" with the exemplification of our priests and other selected candidates.

I WISH TO CONSULT THOSE STUDYING PARTS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS TO NEED AND DESIRE FOR ONE-ON-ONES at mutually acceptable time[s]. I could propose a meeting at St. John Vianney Columbus Room on Sat. 1/30/10. We will talk Saturday.

Please put your thinking caps on for a session between 3/20 and 4/18. I trust we will not need one, but a tune up session could be helpful after a long layoff especially for the TRIO which has a couple "poems" to recite.

The problems are:

Sat. 3/27 4th Degree in the MD District in Frederick; some may be considering going

Sat. 4/3 is Holy Saturday

Sat. 4/10 MD State Mtg in No. Beach may have some folk tied up

Sat. 4/17 is the eve of AWD's 4th Degree; we certainly can have a tune up here.

Let us see how we do as scheduled then act accordingly.

Feedback is much appreciated.

Vivat Jesus

LJS

S/K Larry J. Smialek

smialeklj@aol.com

Annual Survey Coming Due

Worthy Sir Knights:

Again Happy New Year. As you are aware the Annual Survey of fraternal Services is due on January 15, 2010. As of this date I have received on 4 reports. Attached please review the letter and comply on or before January 15, 2010.

I am available to talk with any Navigator or Comptroller about the report and how it is to be completed. Last year, the Archdiocese of Washington District was the First District to have this report completed and on time. I know we will want to keep this record. Therefore , the Secretary and I look forward to your making this information available to us ASAP.

Fraternally yours

Charles H. Smallwood, Master

Veteran's Information Memo

Worthy Sir Knights

I just received this release regarding assistance to our Veterans. Please review the attached and get the word out to all of your members who may come in contact with any Veterans as soon as possible.

The effect of this release is that the increase of the Veterans Co-Payments for medicines will be frozen until June 30, 2010. To assist them in this and so they can properly plan how to deal with the shortfall, please disseminate this document and information as quickly as you can.

Thank you so much

Charles H. Smallwood, master

Archdiocese of Washington District.

Dress for ADW and Provincial Events

Worthy Marshals, and dear Brothers

Just as a follow up, please remind you members we will be strictly adhering to the uniform standards published in the new drill manual, and memo from the SM. This mean 2 lapel pins. One flag pin, and one 4^th Degree pin (113), also the mini jewels should be centered over the jacket pocket. Lastly no Past Chapter President jewel.

We have plenty of time to make sure the word is out, and our members can get the appropriate pins. If you have any question please feel free to give me a call.

Thanks!

SK John Winfrey _{(FDD,PGK,PFN)}

Provincial Marshal

Calvert Province

District Marshal

Archdiocese of Washington District

MD State Deputy Message from Supreme Knight

Dear Brother Knights,

I am sending you this letter because I believe we need to help our Bishops and Priests, we do not want a bill with language that destroys the long-standing policy against the federal funding of abortion. Please contact every Knight you know and ask them to help oppose the wording of this bill.

Please everyone, read the letter that is attached from Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson. This is very important! Please contact your Representatives in the House and Senate. You can call them or send a letter or fax. It is crucial that every member hear from us so that the final bill will not have wording for federal funding of abortion. We must let all our representatives know how we feel.

Time is important we need to do this ASAP.

Jesus We Trust in You!

S/K Dick Siejack

SD Maryland

Knights of Columbus March For Life

Worthy brother Sir Knights:

Enclosed, as attachment, is the flyer to promote the National March for Life, on the Washington DC Mall on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:00 noon.

Please promote within your councils, parishes, families, and other pro-lifers.

Maryland Knights will gather at 7th and Madison NW, right on the Mall, with the blue banner we use every year. See you there.

John Eure

Maryland Knights of Columbus

Pro-Life Chairman

Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency
payment of their education benefits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Katie Roberts

Sept. 30, 2009
katie.roberts@va.gov

Secretary Shinseki Announces Ability to Sign Up for Emergency Education Benefit Payments on VA Web-Site this Friday Vans to Help Veteran-Students

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki today announced further outreach to Veteran-students eligible for a special emergency payment of their education benefits. Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

“Our Veterans went the extra mile for their country,” Shinseki said. “One of our top priorities in transforming VA is to be, first and
foremost, the advocate for Veterans.”

Last week Shinseki announced that on Friday, Oct. 2, VA’s 57 regional benefits offices will begin providing on-the-spot emergency payments up to $3,000 to students who have applied for their
education benefits but who have not yet received a government payment.

Citing the distance many Veterans would have to travel to apply in person at a VA benefits office, Shinseki announced Veterans can also apply online at <http://www.va.gov/>www.va.gov, starting Oct. 2. The online application will guide Veterans through the process to supply needed information. Shinseki noted that online applicants will receive their emergency payments through the mail after processing.

“VA is adapting to meet the financial needs of our Veteran-students who are on campus,” Shinseki said. “They should be focusing on their studies, not worrying about financial difficulties.”

Students without their own transportation can also request free van service, provided by volunteers, to carry them to the nearest benefits
office. To obtain this service, Veterans would have to call their nearest VA medical center and ask for the “Volunteer Transportation
Coordinator.” Transportation will be on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. Veterans can find a map and list of medical
centers at <http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1>http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=1.

Whether traveling by personal vehicle or volunteer van, VA officials suggest students check their mail boxes and banking accounts
before leaving home, since some Veterans will find their checks have already arrived. VA would like to recognize the volunteers and Veterans Service Organizations for partnering with the Department to ensure that Veterans’ needs are met.

The emergency checks are an advance on each student’s education benefits, and the amount will be deducted from future benefits
payments. Checks will be written at the regional offices for Veterans who bring a photo ID and evidence of their enrollment. VA officials
emphasize that $3,000 is the maximum payment, with many Veterans receiving smaller payments based upon their likely monthly education benefits.

A map and list of the participating VA regional benefits offices is available on the Internet at <http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3>http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=3. The most updated information regarding VA issuing emergency checks will be available at VA’s web site <http://www.va.gov/>www.va.gov starting Oct. 1.

Applications from approximately 25,000 Veterans are currently being processed for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefit payments to students or schools.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE ACT (FOCA) TO GO TO CONGRESS:

Again Christ and His teachings are under attack. Freedom Of Choice Act (FOCA) will be brought before the Congress once again. During the Clinton administration it was brought forward but due to the opposition of many Christians and others (notably the Conference of Catholic Bishops) it did not make it out of the Capitol.

During the weekend before the March for Life, parishes across the country will be conducting a postcard campaign to the elected officials in Washington urging the defeat of FOCA.

To read and understand the threat of FOCA please go to:

http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/FOCA/

for a better understanding of this piece of legislation.