| Annual Knights-Masons Friendship Dinner |
Seventeen Brother Knights joined twenty seven members of the Spicket Lodge, Order of Masons, at the annual Friendship Dinner held at the Masonic Lodge on May 24, 2011. The excellent roast beef dinner was prepared and served to the guests by members of the lodge. The event, held annually since 2000, alternates between the Council and the Lodge.
The guest speaker for the evening was former Selectman Arthur Barnes, who recently returned from the Washington, D.C. area where he and his wife had spent months helping their son, badly injured in Afghanistan by an IED mine, in recovering from his multiple injuries. Despite being told he’d never walk again, the younger Barnes, committed himself to proving them wrong …and he won that challenge. His dad explained the incredibly important role that prayer played in the family’s daily efforts to win back his son’s health. He talked about the many support groups that came to their side during the long healing process. Mr. Barnes asked the group to remember the many organizations that were there for his family including Army Wounded Warrior Program, American Red Cross, Yellow Fund, Soldier’s Angels, Fisher House Foundation, Blue Star Mothers and Care-A-Mile (a group that collects extra air miles to share with families needing flights).
The elder Barnes was particularly grateful to the weekly visits of support given by Greater Richmond (VA) Masonic Lodges (Arthur is a long-time Mason) and the Richmond area Knights of Columbus Councils. His dad chronicled the wounded soldier’s journeys through Walter Reed Hospital, McGuire Army Hospital and the Monroe House. He also talked of the very appreciated weekly cookouts at the Monroe House put on by the NYC Fire Dept. personnel.
After the dinner, the Knights were given a tour of the Masons meeting chamber where our Grand Knight Dick Collopy was invited to lead the combined group in a closing prayer.
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