Knights of Columbus
Members of the Rev. Joseph J. Donnelly Council, the Vince Lombardi Council and the Bishop McFaul Assembly of the Knights of Columbus held a flag raising ceremony at 11 a.m. on November 11th commemorating both Veterans Day and honoring the Revolutionary War veterans or families buried in a small burial ground at Burlington and Cedar Avenues in Leonardo.
This was the first time a flagpole has been raised and dedicated at the site, which includes the burial sites of members of the Applegate and Stillwell families, among the earliest settlers of the area.
The two councils of Third-Degree Knights, together with the Bishop McFaul Assembly, have restored the property which was overgrown and had become a dumping ground for trash and dog waste, volunteering at the site many hours during the past year and a half.
Members of the Knights cleaned the tombstones, cleared the area, cut the grass and made the site presentable before purchasing and installing a lighted flagpole in order to continue to honor the American flag past dark. Future work on the site includes landscaping and planting shrubs and flowers.
Sir Knight Ian McGinniss, Faithful Captain of the Assembly, introduced the program and Atlantic Highlands Councilman James Murphy was a guests speaker at the event. The councilman, who is also a member of the Rev. Joseph Donnelly Council, said the gathering was “to dedicate this site and flagpole, remembering the sacrifices earlier generations have made to establish our country and leave it for future generations. We owe them nothing less. “
The Rev. Sir Knight Cosmas Maduekwe, a priest visiting Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes parish from his native Nigeria, g offered the prayer to open the ceremony, noting that as Knights of Columbus “it is our duty, and we are honored to help maintain their eternal resting place and preserve it for future generations.” Fr. Cosmas also included in his prayer a request “to provide us with the resources to perform this honored duty” and to encourage by example, continuance of such work.
In his address to the crowd gathered at the small burial site, Murphy also reminded attendees that the peace and future of our nation has depended on the strength and bravery of its armed forces in every branch, and the nation should continue to show their honor and respect for both the living and deceased men and women who have preserved and continue to protect the nation.
The Knights Color Guard presented the American flag and formed a background around the newly installed flagpole before the recitation of the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. Sir Knight John Brandon, the Master of the McFaul Assembly also spoke on the importance of honoring all veterans before Fr. Cosmas blessed the flagpole “and the country whose flag flies on it.” He also prayed “to inspire our citizens to understand you are the foundation on which our country was founded” and that it is from God that the cherished rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness come.
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