The primary purpose of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus is to foster the spirit of patriotism. To do this the Fourth Degree is designed to strengthen love of country and encourage responsible citizenship. There is no better way to achieve this than honoring fallen American Veterans.
The purpose of the organization “Missing in America Project” is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans. This is a joint effort of private, state and federal organizations. Doing this enables them to provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.
Knights of Columbus Honor Guards from Msgr. Matthew M. McHugh Assembly 592 in Great Falls and Assembly 589 in Helena were invited to participate June 5, 2015, in a Memorial service recognizing the service of six veterans unclaimed and stored at Croxford Funeral Home in Great Falls, Montana. Every one of these six had served this country with dignity and honor, during a major conflict from WWII up to Vietnam.
ICFN Curry, Henry W. – US Navy: 1964-1966 – Vietnam
SGT Larson, Andrew A. – US Army (Ret): 1943-1966 – WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam
PVT Rice, Thomas J. – US Army: 1972 – Vietnam
CPL Robinson, Richard L. – US Army: 1950-1952 – Korean Conflict
SSGT Tedrick, Melvin H. – US Air Force (Ret): 1950-1954 & 1958-1974 – Korean Conflict and Vietnam
CPL Peet (Cox), Mary Joan – US Army: 1943-1945 — WWII
In Great Falls, Assembly 592 lead the procession into the service followed by veterans carrying tri-folded American Flags to the altar containing the cremated remains of the six veterans. The memorial service was presided over by Deacon Robert Freguson, retired US Army and a member of the Knights of Columbus. The service lasted about an hour with several guest speakers including Great Falls Mayor Michael Winters, also of Assembly 592.
At the service’s conclusion, the Honor Guard formed outside of the funeral home on either side of the walkway. Then, each veteran’s name was read aloud, a white dove was released and the urn containing a veteran’s ashes and an American Flag was carried out by pair of veterans. When all the fallen veterans’ urns were assembled with a paired flag in a line, several doves were released and procession turned and walked through the saluting Knights Honor Guard to the waiting 1951 hearse for transport to Ft Harrison.
In Great Falls, the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Matthew M. McHugh Assembly 592 Honor Guard was represented by Faithful Navigator David Glaeske, Dean Erickson, Allen Hauer, William Leys, Michael Preciado, George Kupka, Dan Watson and special guest Wayne Mangold, District Master of the Fourth Degree from Plevna, MT.
It has been estimated that over 100 motorcycles and vehicles escorted the hearse to Ft. Harrison Veteran’s Cemetery in Helena, MT. All along the way were emergency personnel and citizens on overpasses, rest-areas and beside the road with American Flags young and old alike paying their respects to these fallen heroes.
In Helena, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Fort Harrison, the funeral procession of “Missing in America” Patriot Guard motorcyclists, Christian motorcyclists, Emergency Responders and family members arrived to a diverse group of active military personnel, veterans, the Veteran Warrior Society, the public, and the Knights of Columbus Assembly 589 of Helena. The U. S. Army Honor Guard carried the tri-folded American flags and the Missing in America Project Escort carried the fallen heroes through the arched Knights of Columbus Honor Guard past the American Flags.
The full military honors interment service had begun. Over the next couple hours, a U.S. Army Coronel Chaplain and the M.I.A.P Chaplain offered prayers for the fallen. The VFW Commander of the 11th District of Montana gave the eulogy. Deacon Robert Freguson recited “The meaning of the folding of the flag” which, included the phrase “When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our nation’s motto, ‘In God We Trust.’” This was followed by a 21-gun salute, and the Knights saluted with “Present Arms.” The U.S. Army Honor Guard folded the out stretched flag which was being held by them over the fallen heroes during the service and handed the six flags to the attending families and Patriot Guard stand-ins.
The main service ended and the mass of people began to leave. However, Deacon Robert Freguson, the Croxford funeral personnel, the attending families and some of the Patriot Guard moved to the waiting columbarium for the interment. After a blessing by the Deacon, the six fallen heroes’ ashes were set into their final resting place with dignity and honor so richly deserved.
In Helena, the Knights of Columbus Assembly 589 Honor Guard was represented by District Marshall Chris Curtis, Faithful Navigator Marty Beatty, Dan McKenty, Paul Miller, Peter Sullivan, David Wargo, Tony Etherington, David Anderson, Darvin Eckert, with special guests Wayne Mangold, District Master of the Fourth Degree and David Glaeske, Faithful Navigator of Assembly 592. 
Please help us continue
