OUR GRAND KNIGHT SPEAKS   June 14, 2008

Brother's all,

As of last nights Officers Meeting, I have respectfully resigned my position as Grand Knight of Council 14178. I do so with mixed feelings. It was a very hard decision for me to make, but had to be done in the best interest of my personal well being as well as that of my family. I have been dealing with several health issues as well as a personal issue that has to be dealt with in a manner that needs me to take a step back and deal with the issue at hand.

We have come a long way since our inception on November 30th of 2006. The road we took to get where we are now was not always smooth. We fought many uphill battles, but always came out a winner. I am so thankful to all our Brothers who helped along the way to get us to where we are.

 

A Council with 114 members, 80% of who have achieved their Third Degree status and about 25 Fourth Degree Sir Knights. This is a testament to the Members committment to our Order.

 

A Council that has won many awards including Double Star Council for 2007 / 2008, which we will again win for the 2008 / 2009 Fraternal year.

 

A council that has continuously practiced all of our Virtues. Giving of ourselves be it financially or with our time (Charity). Standing together be it for moral issues such as Pro-Life, or banding together to get a job done (Unity). Showing support for each other during times of distress such as sickness, spiritually difficult situations, and showing support in death, be it Clergy or a fallen Brother or their Family members (Fraternity). Helping our Veterans with either our time, donations or just being there to show our support for the Freedom that they have given us (Patriotism).

 

Despite some situations where issues and accusations were brought up by a certain couple of people about the handling of Council business, I have ALWAYS and HONESTLY acted in the best interest of Council 14178. If I didn't, we would not be in the elite position we are today.

 

This Council was started on a wing and a prayer. I was member of Gulfport Council 5131. I couldn't understand why the Parish I belonged to, The Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, the home of the Bishop, did not have their own Council. After meeting with Father Tottle in July of 2006 and expressing my wishes to start a Chapter at St. Jude's, he welcomed with open arms the idea of bringing the Knights to the Cathedral. Being a 4th Degree Knight himself, he knew how much the Knights would be of assistance to the Parish, School, and Community.

 

To Fr. Tottle, I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this growing experience between the Parish, myself, and the Council, and also for your Spiritual guidance in many situations in my personal life.

 

To my former Grand Knight from Council 5131, Don Mulholland. Thank you for letting me grow to a whole new level of Knighthood through your Council and under your direction.

 

Special thanks to our original District Deputy Brother Bob Miller. While beginning this journey to start our Council, quite a few Members of other Council's had told me they would help as much as possible to get this thing off the ground. When the smoke cleared, I was basically standing alone. Brother Bob gave me the guidance neccessary to follow through with the growth and development of our Council as it stands today.

 

I want to Thank D.D. Bob Collins for making this transition much easier by appointing the Deputy Grand Knight, Chuck Bryan as the acting Grand Knight until the new Fraternal year begins on July 1st of 2009. I will be taking Chucks spot until that time so I can assist him with the transition.

 

I will not be going far. I will be running the website, as well as staying on to Chair the Recruitment & Retention Committee. However my wife and I wish to step down as the Pro-Life Couple for the Council. She is involved with several Ministries and we just have too much going on right now. Although we will still support the issue with much enthusiasm, we are hoping another couple will step up and be loyal to this Ministry.

 

I ask that you respect my decision and I hope you will all give Chuck the proper respect and support that he needs and deserves to keep this Council where it is at. Which in my mind is one of the best and strongest in the State of Florida.

 

Again, thanks to all that have given me their support over the last 3 years. I am very honored and blessed to have been the first Grand Knight of this Council. You have made me a better person in many ways. I hope I have meet your expectations. Sometimes decisions needed to be made on the spur of the moment, If I offended anyone along the way, I apologize. The Council had to move forward and I did what I thought was neccessary for us to succeed.

 

May God bless all of you and your families, and may we continue to grow as Brothers in Christ.

 Vivat Jesus.