Knights of Columbus Veterans Honored

Eight of our Knights of Columbus veterans have participated in the National Honor Flight Program which recognizes their service and dedication to our country. We are so proud of them and everyone that has served our wonderful country. Patriotism is one of the pillars of the Knights mission. The most recent Honor Flight took place on September 30, 2023, and Sir Knight Dick Gabrys was honored on that trip. Dick’s amazing experience got even “sweeter” because he was escorted on the flight by his son Brad from Milwaukee, also a veteran.

The Honor Flight Program was established in 2005 with a simple, yet powerful mission of honoring our nation’s veterans. These amazing veterans fly off to Washington D.C for a day trip to visit the many memorials built to commemorate their service and sacrifice. Since the inception of the program in 2013, over 1,200 WWII, Korean, and Vietnam veterans from Southwest Florida have been honored on this deeply emotional and rewarding trip. Every participant says the trip is nothing short of life changing.  These trips are funded entirely through donations to the Honor Flight Program.  To learn more about the Honor Flight Program visit www.honorflight.org.

The trip starts off in the wee hours at 2:00 AM at Naples airport where they board a bus with other veterans and receive a police escort with sirens blaring up route 75 all the way to Fort Myers airport. They are escorted to their plane and are ready for take-off at 4:30 AM. The Knights have a tradition where they write letters of appreciation and praise to the Knight on the Honor Flight and the honoree reads them in flight. That is what fraternity and brotherhood are all about when it comes to the Knights of Columbus. The day continues with visits to various memorials, lunch, talking with fellow veterans, reflection, and a return trip home the same day landing around 9:00 PM.

After the return flight home, they walk through the airport terminal to one of the most moving experiences they have ever witnessed. In forty-five states across the country, these veterans receive a greeting that includes bands, bagpipes, flags, signs, and cheers from thousands of people lining up inside the airport to welcome them home. It is a hero’s welcome, and well-deserved. One of our Knights said “when I finished my tour of duty and the ship dropped us off in NYC, no one was there to welcome us. But when we walked through the terminal at RSW after the Honor Flight, it felt like the whole state of Florida was there to say THANK YOU. I will never forget that feeling.”

We are so proud of the following eight Knights who have had this incredible experience of the Honor Flight over the years are:

Fred Adani, Sergeant – US Air Force; stationed in Virginia, Vietnam, and North Carolina

John Basic, Petty Officer 2nd Class - (passed August 2023 at 99 years old) – US Navy, Stationed in South Pacific/Okinawa

Joe Batte, Captain – US Marines; Stationed in Virginia, Okinawa, and Philippines

Dan Flynn, 1st Lieutenant – US Army; Stationed in I Corp Northernmost province.

Dick Gabrys, Staff Sergeant – US Air Force; Stationed in Vietnam, Virgina, and Washington

Jerry Hautman, Private – US Army; Stationed in Germany

Dan Moll, Sergeant – US Marines; Stationed in Illinois

Sal Sciarrino, Corporal – US Marines; Stationed in North Carolina and South Pacific

Besides being part of defending our country, the Knights organization raises money for many local charities on and around Marco Island. These men work tirelessly sponsoring many different events to raise money to help others in need. Some of our upcoming events at our Parish Hall include:

Knights of Columbus 2024 Fund Raising Events:

Bingo:  Every Thursday January 5th – March 25th (7-9:00 PM)

Jersey Boys/Tenors Tribute Concert: February 10th (7-9:00 PM)

Beach Boys Tribute Concert: March 12th

History of Rock-n-Roll Concert:  April 6th

(Concert Tickets available at parish hall or online at koc.booktix.com)