We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
On Monday, November 3, 2025, this writer had the privilege to witness humility in the first person – in real time. The occasion was a bowling tournament sponsored by the Special Olympics Committee. The Knights of Columbus role in this affair was to awards the medals to the winners on each bowling lane. This facility – Bowlero of Garland – has 58 lanes and 44 of them were used for this Special Olympics tournament. The first impression this writer got was the happiness and glee displayed by these special needs athletes. You’d have thought they were competing for a national championship. There was simply a joyful atmosphere throughout the tournament. There were an estimated 220 Special Olympic athletes at the venue. The parents and teachers who attended were enthusiastic and supportive of these special needs athletes. The tournament began at 10am and concluded about 1:30pm with each lanes’ participants having bowled three games. The Knights job then was to go to the lane just completed and present the medals as tabulated by the Special Olympic personnel.
The first glimpse of humility was seeing these athletes showing such a love for life even though they will never be able to do some of the things we take for granted. Their smiles were heart-warming. My second glimpse was Jim Kowalski, a 92 year old man, and a veteran of many Special Olympic competitions, overseeing the 11 other Knights awarding the medals. My third image of humility was seeing Dennis Sawyer of council 6402 (Prince of Peace) in a wheelchair with only one leg helping distribute medals.
A fourth glance and I saw Chuck Rohrer in a walker breathing extra oxygen, helping with awarding medals. Even a member of the police security detail, Julio Flores, took his turn in awarding medals.
There were Knights from 8 different councils, with our council represented by two Knights. Do you need a better picture of humility? This tournament will continue for the next two week – see the schedule on our website or take a look at the email you received. Jim Kowalski will be in charge all week at the Garland location – come out and help if your heart beckons you.
