Knights of Columbus’ Patriotic Degree at Groundbreaking of New Arizona Heroes Memorial

By Carissa Krautscheid

Knights of Columbus from Oro Valley’s Assembly 2308 gathered at the end of February for the groundbreaking ceremony of a new initiative in Southern Arizona.

Nestled among Oro Valley’s natural desert with a picturesque view of the Santa Catalina Mountains, construction is now underway on the Arizona Heroes Memorial. This collaborative effort will “honor the veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers who answered their country's and community's call with service, bravery, and honor.” It will be a “place for educating citizens about the meaning of service and sacrifice, and to honor what these brave men and women have given to our country.”

But how does this relate to the Knights of Columbus?

Made up of four ‘degrees,’ the Knights of Columbus are united by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism. The latter is the guiding principle for Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the uniformed men you’ve seen serving in honor guards. Among other duties, Fourth Degree Assemblies organize programs that promote Catholic citizenship. 

“The fourth principle of ‘Patriotism,’ commits our members to the preservation of our Church, our Order, and the many nations where Knights serve,” said Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard. Its motto is “Patriotism – enlightened and informed by religion.”

The Knights of Columbus website elaborates, “For most men who follow Jesus, there comes a time when duty extends beyond our own lives, beyond how we lead our families, and into how we serve our fellow man. That’s what the Knights of Columbus is all about. The Patriotic Degree allows knights to take this one step further. ‘Sir Knight’ is more than a title. It’s an honor.”

This commitment to selfless service is mirrored in the pursuits of the active-duty military, veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers who serve our country, sacrifice for our community, save lives right here in Southern Arizona and around the world.

Present at the groundbreaking was Sir Knight Michael Foster who is currently serving as the Deputy Grand Knight of Council 8077 and the Faithful Captain for Assembly 2308. “The Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree embodies and fosters the principal of Patriotism – on top of Charity, Unity and Fraternity,” he said. “This is a unique patriotic monument that is designed for spiritual reflection in our own back yard, that cries to the core of our faith. Our Order’s core values of Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, and Respect are vividly on display at the Arizona Heroes Memorial: ‘In Service to One, In Service to All.’”

“The Living Memorial,” its website explains, “will create a space in which we honor and celebrate our heroes while educating future generations about the meaning of service and sacrifice to our country. Young people can learn that liberty and safety are attained through selfless acts of kindness and valor. Families and friends who have suffered loss can visit a solemn place of remembrance.”

“The Memorial groundbreaking marks the exciting start of an amazing addition to Arizona, honoring active-duty military, veterans, first responders and healthcare workers – the first step in recognizing those that have served and sacrificed,” said Lisa Hopper, Executive Director of the Arizona Heroes Memorial.

The Diocese of Tucson’s newest priest, Fr. Richard Rivera, was also present at the groundbreaking to offer the opening prayer and invocation. Fr. Richard is currently serving at nearby parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which also graciously made tables and chairs available thanks to their pastor, Fr. Edward Lucero, who served in the Army before becoming a priest.

Remarks were offered by Oro Valley’s Mayor, Joe Winfield, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States of America.

Our communities are kept safe because of the selfless, tireless dedication and service of the first responders, armed forces, and healthcare workers. 

“Each Knight must answer for themselves how faith informs patriotism,” said Sir Knight Foster. “For over 135 years, the Knights of Columbus have been dedicated to service, faith, and brotherhood. For me, faith is in the grace of Jesus Christ to shepherd these many heroes who are being memorialized, and my personal belief He will lead generations to come, to learn that freedom is not free, and sacrifice in service of others is truly recognized as heroic.”

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. This I command you: love one another” (John 15:12-14, 17).

The Knights of Columbus practice this selfless love for their neighbor by being faithful Catholics and faithful citizens, and by promoting Catholic citizenship and community involvement. We are each called to this same great denial of self for the love of God and neighbor. Indeed, Jesus equates real love to laying down one’s life for another. We might not all be called to physically die in the line of duty, but there are many ways that each of us can “die to self” so that God might be more present through us in the community and in his Church.