Honored Guests
TAKEN FROM “COLUMBIANISM IN MARYLAND 1989-1999”
The Chapter had an Honored Guest for several years, but it was not until 1988 that the Honored Guest was given special recognition by having the annual Anniversary Banquet held in his honor. The Honored Guest and his wife were seated at the head table and he was called on to speak. They were both presented with many gifts and the family was recognized in the audience.
The Presidents and Honored Guests from 1988 to the present were:
1988 | *Francis G. McFarland, PSD | *Charles E. Fraim, PCP |
1989 | *Herbert F. Behrens | *Stanley F. Miedzienowski, PCP |
1990 | *Ralph J. Close | *Francis G. McFarland, PCP, PSD |
1991 | *Joseph C. DuBay | *Burton Stromyer, PCP |
1992 | *Matthew W. Bogdan | *Richard F. Gordes, PCP |
1993 | *Charles F. Evans, Jr. | Rev. Fr. Richard P. Wojciechowski, Chaplain |
1994 | *Jack M. Schultz | *Herbert F. Behrens, PCP |
1995 | *Owen M. McGinley | *Richard T. Zeller, Sr., PCP |
1996 | *Timothy D. Burke | *Ralph J. Close, PCP |
1997 | *William C. Kuchmas III, PSD | *Daniel L. Peterson, PCP |
1998 | *Marion F. Fowler | *J. Carroll Mueller, PCP |
1999 | *Carroll McComas | *Jack Schultz, PCP |
2000 | Edward McGinley | *Owen McGinley, PCP |
2001 | *Patrick Ruckle | *Matthew Bogdan, PCP |
2002 | Carl Roberts, FDM | *Eugene C. Cullum, PCP |
2003 | T. Gregory Crist | *Joseph C. DuBay, PCP |
2004 | *William Jerry Davis | *Carroll C. McComas, PCP |
2005 | Steven M. Cohen | *William Kuchmas, PCP, PSD |
2006 | *Raymond L. Lowman | *Rev. Msgr. Chester J. Mieczkowski, Assoc. Chaplain |
2007 | E. Paul Jones, FDM | *Pat Ruckle, PCP |
2008 | Jere Danaher | *Timothy Burke, PCP |
2009 | Michael J. Sallese | *Carl Roberts, PCP, FDM |
2010 | *John Price | All Past Chapter Presidents |
2011 | Samuel P. Orlando | Steve Cohen, PCP |
2012 | Vince Grauso | E. Jere Danaher, Jr., PCP |
2013 | Gary Gray | |
2014 | Gregory McClain | *Samuel P. Orlando, PCP |
2015 | Michael J. Sallese | Edward J. McGinley, PCP |
2016 | Michael "Mike" Forehand | T. Gregory Crist, PCP |
2017 | Joseph Herman | Michael Sallese, PCP [8736] and Gerald Novak, FDD [2942] |
2018 | Gregory Lynch | *John Price, PCP [7025] and Deacon David Ludwikoski, FDD [1960] |
2019 | Jamie Gouldin | Santo DiFrancesco and Thom Partenope |
2022 | Jim Duryee | Greg McClain, FDD, PCP, PGK, PFN (Cathy) [3413] and Erwin Lacanienta, PCP, PGK, FN [9462] |
* = Deceased |
On July 1, 1988, the Chapter Officers shed their traditional gold jackets and black trousers for dark blue jackets and gray trousers.
The Chapter still conducts its annual collection for the children at St. Vincent’s Child Care Center, Villa Maria and the Gallagher Center, and conducts a Christmas Party and Spring Picnic for them. The time honored traditions of a Summer First Degree (dropped in 1987 for the first time), members’ crab feast, Memorial Mass, adult Christmas Party, Honored Guests’ Night and Ladies’ Night have all gone well.
The Chapter provides for its 61 member councils the opportunity to meet with the State Officers, State Directors and State Chairmen each month and to keep abreast of the many events taking place in the Maryland Jurisdiction.
Ever since that Wintry Saturday afternoon of January 22, 1910, when the six Grand Knights of the councils in Baltimore met and formed the Chapter of the Grand Knights of Baltimore, the original purpose has been faithfully carried out. That purpose was and still remains to further the interests of all of its member councils and to work for the common good of the Order. That total good that the Chapter has accomplished could never be recorded in the limited space that condenses its history in the past 10 years.
The greater story remains indelibly marked on the minds and hearts of all of those thousands of orphans, abused children and God’s special children who have been the beneficiaries of the Chapter’s charity.