Awards
The Chapel of 4 Chaplains

The Legion of Honor
 

Membership in the Legion of Honor is awarded to nominated individuals whose lives reflect selfless service to community, nation or humanity without regard to race, religion or creed, as dramatically exemplified by the Four Chaplains.

Four Army Chaplains: LT. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish); LT. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed Church); LT John P. Washington (Roman Catholic) and LT. George L. Fox (Methodist) and approximately 900 men were aboard the Army Troopship DORCHESTER when it was torpedoed by an enemy submarine off the Coast of Greenland on February 3, 1943.

Survivors reported that the Chaplains moved among the frightened men, calming, comforting and praying with them. Many who struggled to the deck had no lifeiackets. When no more could be found the Chaplains took off their own and gave them to nearby soldiers who had none, never asking whether the men were Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish.

In 1951, President Truman dedicated the Chapel of Four Chaplains, in honor of the heroic sacrifice of the Four Chaplains and the motto of "Unity Without Uniformity" was created. Since then, Chapel awards have been presented to several Presidents, Cabinet officers, and members of Congress of this country, foreign heads of state and to luminaries such as Bob Hope, Surgeon General Everett Koop, Martha Raye, and John Cardinal Krol, as well as to citizens in all walks of life in every part of the country.

In 1996, two distinguished members of the Chester County Assembly were honored to receive this most prestigious award. Sir Knights James Wright, PFN and William M. Dunleavy, PFN were recognized for their commitment to the West Chester community and the Knights of Columbus.

Since then other members of our assembly have been recognized by the Chapel of Four Chaplains for either their community and or military service, as well as, their involvement with the Knights of Columbus.

SK John M. Brady SK Albert M. Bryson
SK Rev. Michael J. Davis SK Albert D. Fuller, Sr
SK Edward A. Grzenda, PFN SK Gordon A. Jefferes
SK Robert V. Kennedy, PFN SK James E. Lyons, PFN
SK Rev. Msgr. Robert T. McManus SK Daniel A. McCormick, PFN
SK James J. Nardi, Jr. SK Walter S. Roscoe, III, PFN
SK Rev.George P. Schneider SK Robert F. Smith
SK Dante A. Terzano SK Robert W. Weber

Sir Knight of the Year Award
PA East District - Calvert Province

In 1997, Sir Knight John M. Fidishun, Master of the Pennsylvania East District - Calvert Province, established two new award programs for the area Fourth Degree Assemblies.

They are the "Assembly of the Year" and the "Sir Knight of the Year." The Sir Knight of the Year Award is not the same award mentioned in Section 6 of this booklet. Sir Knight James Wright, PFN, received the runner up award for the Sir Knight of the Year in 1997 from the PA East District - Calvert Province. The announcement of this award was made at the 99th Fourth Degree Exemplification at the Adams Mark Hotel in Philadelphia, PA. on May 25, 1997. The official presentation of this award was made by Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Daniel A. McCormick, to Sir Knight James Wright, PFN at the June 1997 Assembly Conclave.

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Assembly of the Year Award
PA East District - Calvert Province

On May 24,1998 at the 100" Exemplification of the Fourth Degree in the PA East District - Calvert Province. The Chester County Assembly received the "Assembly of the Year Award" from Master, John M. Fidishun. The Award was presented to Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Jata S. Ghosh on behalf of the Assembly. The Assembly was privileged to have received this award in only the second year of this new awards program. The award is in recognition for the dedication and hard work of the assembly in promoting the principles of the Fourth Degree and the Order.

On May 3 0,1999 at the 101 Exemplification of the Fourth Degree in the PA East District -Calvert Province. The Chester County Assembly received for the second consecutive year the "Assembly of the Year Award" from Master, Bernard A. Pallo. The award was presented to Faithful Navigator, Robert W. Weber. The Assembly through its members, continue to set and maintain high standards of excellence and commitment to the Fourth Degree and its principle of patriotism.

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The Civic Award

The Civic Award is given each year to an assembly for outstanding implementation of Patriotic programming, faithful to the principles of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus. During the fraternal year of 1994-1995, under the direction of Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight James Wright, the assembly was honored to receive this most prestigious award.

The Assembly received the Civic Award during the fraternal year of 1996-1997 under the direction of Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Daniel A. McCormick.

The Assembly received the Civic Award for the fraternal year 1997-1998 under the direction of Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Jata S. Ghosh.

The Assembly received the Civic Award for 2007/2008 under the leadership of then Faithful Navigator Bill McDonald.

 "For outstanding implementation of patriotic programming faithful to the principles of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus"

 Signed by Carl A Anderson, Supreme Knight and Joseph P. Schultz, Supreme Master 

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Assembly News Letter Award

This award is given to the assembly that best promotes Fourth Degree information and new ideas related to the promotion of Fourth Degree Principles, within the Pennsylvania East District of the Calvert Province. The Assembly received this award for the fraternal year 1996-1997 from Master, SK John M. Fidishun. Sir Knight Daniel A. McCormick, Navigator, Sir Knight Jata S. Ghosh, Editor, and Sir Knight Gordon A. Jefferes, Assistant Editor. The Assembly is proud of the work these Sir Knights accomplished and those who helped support their efforts that enabled the assembly to receive this award.

On December 14,1998 Supreme Master, Charles H. Foos, sent an unsolicited letter to Faithful Navigator, Robert W. Weber and stated that, 'He receives our newsletter and takes interest in our reported events.' He further states that, 'The dedication, determination and opportunities offered by the assembly in furthering the work of Columbianism and patriotism are recognized and appreciated by him.' He concludes by saying that, 'He wanted to express his gratitude and praise for the good work the assembly is doing in producing a good publication. He wishes us success in the days ahead in bring the ideals of patriotism into a world sorely in need of them.' Faithful Navigator, Robert Weber presented this letter to our Editor and Faithful Pilot, SK Gordon A. Jefferes at the January 1999 Conclave and expressed his thanks on behalf of the assembly, for producing our newsletter.

On June 30,1999 Vice-Supreme Master, Francis M. Feeley, sent an unsolicited letter to SK Gordon A. Jefferes, Editor of our newsletter The Compass. In his letter he states, 'Congratulations on doing a really fine job. It is a first class publication with a lot of good information. I read the newsletter with great interest'. The assembly is proud of our newsletter and the efforts by our editor in making the newsletter one of the best.

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Rosary Program Award

The Assembly received the Calvert Province Rosary Program Award for 1997-1998 from the Master of PA East District, Sir Knight John M. Fidishun on August 10,1997. The Assembly was recognized for our active participation in this program. The Assembly's involvement is recognition of the love we have for Our Lady and the promise to carry the rosary and pray it often. The rosary is recited at each of our Conclave Meetings. Faithftil Navigator, Sir Knight Daniel A. McCormick and Sir Knight Frederick G. Wales, PFN Program Chairman, were instrumental in carrying out this program.
RSVP Program Award

The Assembly began it's participation in the orders Refund Support Vocation Program (RSVP) during the fraternal year 1996/1997. The Assembly has supported several seminarians from the Chester County area studying for the priesthood at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, PA. The Assembly has received the orders Program Award since 1997 for our active participation and support of our future priests. The Program Chairmen responsible for the success of this program include: 1996/1997 Sir Knights Walter S. Roscoe, PFN and Charles P. Broglio . 1997/2000 Sir Knight Robert F. Smith.

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Membership Award

At the November 8, 1998 Masters meeting in Allentown, PA. The Assembly was presented the Award of Merit for our 1997/1998 Membership Intake Goal. The Award was presented by Master, Sir Knight Bernard A. Pallo on behalf of Supreme Master, Charles H. Foos to Faithful Navigator, Sir Knight Robert W. Weber. Sir Knight Jata S. Ghosh was the Faithful Navigator, and the Membership Chairman was Sir Knight Robert F. Smith during the 1997/1998 fraternal year. This award was achieved through the hard work of our assembly officers and members, in addition to great support from our area Grand Knights. Thirty-three worthy candidates from Chester County made their Fourth Degree at the 1998 exemplification.

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PA State Council Certificate of Merit Award

On May 30, 1999 at the Annual Fourth Degree Exemplification, the assembly was recognized by PA State Deputy, Robert J. Cherenyack for our faithful and exceptional service. This is the first year for this award and is in recognition of the Chester County Assembly dedication and service to the Knights of Columbus and the work we do for our Order and the community.