Brothers,
It was an honor to represent you at the 113th annual Knights of Columbus Oregon State Convention in Klamath Falls April 30 – May 2nd. It was my first convention (I don’t count the ‘virtual’ convention last year!) The convention was worthwhile and well-run; our state leadership team did an excellent job as did the local Klamath Falls council who hosted the event. Archbishop Sample and Bishop Cary of the Diocese of Baker were in attendance.
It was extra special to accept the 2021 Council of the Year award on your behalf. Brother Ron Bernt and I both accepted the award. The St. Anthony Council 2439 received the award because of our outstanding efforts to provide wildfire relief services. We demonstrated what it really means to ‘Leave No Neighbor Behind.’
State Deputy Ron Boyce summed it up when announcing the award:
“The St. Anthony Council 2439 aided those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic by making sure those in the Lyons, Sublimity community had the assistance they needed. Then the on September 7th the Beachie Creek Fire or Santiam Fire grew in acreage over the next 24 hours the communities of Elkhorn, Brietenbush, Detroit, Gates, Mill City, Mehama, and Lyons received Level III Evacuation notices with a large number of those residence losing their homes and business’s. Council 2439 Stepped to the plate in working with SIT team and opened their Anthony Hall to be used as a Distribution area for people to drop off food, clothing and supplies for those in the area to get the items they need to survive.”
Congratulations to you, Brother Knights, for your hard work supporting our community!
Two other councils also won council of the year for 2021 – Rogue River Council 1594 for their COVID and wildfire relief, and Hillsboro Council 1624 for food box distribution and several other initiatives demonstrating Knights in Action.
I was also honored and humbled to receive the Knight of the Year award, also as it related to the wildfire relief effort. My wife Jamie accepted the award with me; without her support and encouragement I could not do what I do! Two other Knights also received Knight of the Year – Joe Schaecher of Rogue River Council 1594 and Thomas Price of St. Jude Council 17442.
The awards are not why we do this work, but it is nice to be recognized by our fellow Knights for a job well done.
Vivat Jesus,
Ed Diehl
Grand Knight
St. Anthony Council 2439
