| Event Information |
Date: Monday October 14th, 2013 11:00 AM Until 11:45 PM
Event: MOVED Columbus Celebration
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| Details |
Worthy Sirs:
Let me try to condense and clarify all the various messages that have been flying all over the District and the Province with regard to the Annual Columbus Day Celebration and Event at the Columbus Statue in front of Union Station in D.C. This is my current understanding.
1. There will be a ceremony, it has not, repeat, not, been cancelled.
2. The location has changed due to the government shutdown and the traditional co-sponsorship of the event by the National Park Service. The Columbus statue and fountain is closed to the public and cannot be used.
3. The chosen alternative site is Holy Rosary Church and the adjacent Case Italiana located at 595 (535) 3rd St. Northwest, in Washington. It is approximately 6 blocks to the west of Union Station, just East of the 395 freeway and south of Massachusetts Avenue on 3rd St. Much of the ceremony will take place indoors. There will be no Marine Band, and there will not be a Joint Services Color Guard. There is a Columbus statue on the property.
4. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will have to provide the Color Corps Honor Guard to present the Colors since the Joint Services Color Guard will not be available.
5. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will have to provide Flag Bearers for the several National Flags (Spain, Italy, Bahamas, etc.), plus the KofC flag, as we have done in the past a Union Station.
6. The Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will carry the 27+ U.S. National Flags, as we have done before at Union Station. If we have extra flag bearers, the Service Flags and other Flags will be displayed.
7. Fourth Degree Members will escort the wreathlayers, as we have done in the past.
8. Parking is limited even with a Government Holiday. Carpooling is STRONGLY recommended. You can also take the Red Line to Judiciary Square Station. Then take the exit toward the National Building Museum and walk one block east to Third St. The Church will be in front of you just across the street.
9. BOTTOM LINE: WE WILL STILL NEED ABOUT 75 FOURTH DEGREE COLOR/HONOR GUARD MEMBERS TO MAKE THIS EVENT A SUCCESS. AGAIN, VIRGINIA IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE HALF THE REQUIRED HONOR GUARD MEMBERS. PLEASE DO YOU WHAT YOU CAN TO ENLIST YOUR ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE. Report time is 9:00 AM because we will need to do several run-throughs given the new location.
10. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay tuned! See you on Monday!
Fraternally,
District Master
The Columbus Day Celebration at Union Station has been cancelled. It's being moved to Casa Italiana, next to Holy Rosary Church on 3rd St, NW. It will necessarily be a somewhat smaller event, but better than cancelling it altogether.
I do not think SKs are any longer requested. Parking is very limited in that area of DC.
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