Master's Log
Once again I must remind you not to call the Supreme Master’s Office about the patch for your New Uniform Beret. The Supreme Master’s Office does not handle that (although the e-mail used for it, makes you think so!). In the past few weeks, that office has been receiving an extreme number of calls about how to get the patch, and asking questions about the uniform. You all use the chain of command well, so I do not believe that we are doing this.
To order the colored patch, send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. providing your name, address, officer role, color of patch, and membership number. Please do not e-mail the Supreme Master’s personal e-mail account for this purpose. For a run-down of the patch colors and officer roles that are afforded a patch, please read this article.
To order the new uniform, please visit https://kofcuniform.com
Questions regarding the new uniform such as to place an order, change sizes, status on orders, etc., may be placed at 1-833-562-4327 or 833-kocgear, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Over the past two weeks the Archdiocese of Washington District Fourth Degree Color Corps has participated in a great number of events honoring our Church, our Country, and our Order. We had the privileged to assist with the sending home of two Sir Knights at Arlington National Cemetery; we participated in a Chalice Mass at the DC VA Medical Center, honoring those who have served our nation in uniform. We participated in the District of Columbia and the Maryland State Officers Installations, praying for the future success of the Order. We participated in the Episcopal Ordination of the Most Rev. Michael W. Fisher as Auxiliary Bishop of Washington. And soon we will be honoring our Order and Church in Baltimore for the 136th Supreme Convention.
These Color Corps events and many others are all outstanding, and provide a definite feeling of self-fulfillment, as we operate as the visible arm of the Knights of Columbus and add dignity to every event in which we participate! I encourage each Sir Knight in the Archdiocese of Washington District, to consider joining the Color Corps and then join us in these outstanding events!
If you would like to become a member of the Color Corps in your Assembly, please contact your Color Corps Commander or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Recently some of you have told me that you have contacted Knights Gear about the New Uniform, and you were told that they no longer handle the new uniform. It appears that this is true, and that a company named Waterfront, located in Connecticut, will be handling the orders and distribution. We have been told that the Contact phone number is 833-562-4327 and the email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by visiting https://kofcuniform.com. The uniform is listed at the same price and at least for the limited future, Knights Gear is still taking pre-orders. I recommend that if you have a uniform question, that you contact Knights Gear and let them refer you to the new company handling the new uniform.
The new company did tell me that they are in the process of shipping out 4,000 uniforms, so many who have ordered should see them very soon. I have had a pre-order in since October 27, 2017, and I was told that I will soon be asked to pay for the uniform, which means they are getting close to manufacturing it!
Fraternally and Patriotically,
Micheal W. Thumm
Colonel, USMC, Retired
Master, Archdiocese of Washington District
Fourth Degree, Knights of Columbus
Worthy Sir Knights of the Archdiocese of Washington District,
As many of you have heard, a new Fourth Degree Uniform was unveiled at the opening Mass of the 135th Supreme Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. The uniform consists of a blue blazer with an embroidered Emblem of the Fourth Degree on the breast pocket, dark gray trousers, a black beret with the Emblem of the Fourth Degree above the left eye, a Fourth Degree tie, and the Fourth Degree pin (PG-113).
Wearing the newly simplified Fourth Degree uniform, Supreme Master Dennis Stoddard leads the Order’s vice supreme masters in the recessional. (Photo Credit: Knights of Columbus Supreme Council)At the opening business session of the Convention, Supreme Knight Carl Anderson stated and showcased how the uniform had changed through the years, and that this is the new changed uniform. He also stated that the Color Corps Regalia will continue to be used on a limited basis at the Assemblies choosing for public and liturgical events to provide honor guards. Until the uniform becomes available to everyone, we will continue to use our previous Standard Regalia (Cape, Chapeau, Tuxedo), such as at the upcoming AMS Father Capodanno Memorial Mass. Beyond that, we will await further guidance from the Supreme Master and our Provincial Vice Supreme Master.
I will be the first to tell you, as a leader of Marines and your leader, that the rollout of this new uniform wasn’t perfect. But we must work with the facts that we have and move forward.
Certainly we may all have opinions about the new uniform, but we must not forget and continue to live by the guiding principles of our order: Charity, Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism. These are why we exist, and regardless of any change, I am here to work on and within these principles and the spirit of Columbianism. I hope that you are, too! In today’s world, more than ever, we are needed by many: Family, Clergy, Youth, and the Holy Catholic Church. So, my hope is that you will continue to assist in these and our many Knightly areas, no matter what!
As I receive any additional information, I will pass it on.
Thank you for all that you do for the Knights of Columbus in general and for our Patriotic Degree in particular!
Fraternally and Patriotically,
Mike
Micheal W. Thumm, FDD, PGK, PFN
Colonel, USMC, Retired
Master, Archdiocese of Washington District
Legacy
Have you ever given any thought to your legacy? I certainly didn’t until last year when I attended a funeral of a Brother Knight from VA. As I was sitting there listening to his eulogy they told a story of a man who truly left a great Legacy. Bill was in deed a great man, but you couldn’t tell that from looking at him. He didn’t drive a big nice car, he didn’t live in a big house. Bill was a modest man that left behind a GREAT legacy. That got me to thinking about my legacy as Master, and the legacy of our District. What will people say when I go to my reward, or for that matter what will they say about all of us when we all go meet our maker. Will they say we were dedicated husbands, or hard workers, of even better yet when they stand up at the pulpit will they talk about how much of a Redskins fan we were. Not that any of these are bad, but I would rather they say how we touched in a positive way the lives of the people of our community, and Church. I would rather them say we fed the hungry, and brought smiles to children who had no reason to smile, or we helped someone who really needed our help. These are the true legacies we should be looking for. It isn’t about glory here on earth. It is the command of our Lord to make a difference while we are here.
You ask, what the heck does this have to do with being a Sir Knight of the 4th Degree? Moreover what does this have to do with this season? My answer is this. As we sit down and think about our blessings I would suggest you think about the blessings you have provided someone else this last year. Have we made someone’s life better, or less troubling? Also as we embark on a new year, what will we do over the next twelve months to change a life, and make a difference? As members of the 4th Degree, our District and Assemblies have a great opportunity to do just that. We have a great need in our Country and community, and the question is, do we as Sir Knight have the heart, and love to take on those challenges. I believe we do. So my New Year’s resolution, and I hope yours is as well is to find one way, one project, one effort that will change one life. If we can accomplish that we will truly MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
From the Winfrey family John, Gloria, Mandy, Kassie, Rachel, and Cynthia we wish you and your family’s a Blessed of New Year.