Knights of Columbus Celebrate the Holiday

The statue of Christopher Columbus at Washington's Union Station is expecting some visitors and fanfare. The Knights of Columbus are preparing for ceremonies this morning on behalf of their patron. The group is usually very service-oriented, but the holiday presents members with a chance to gather and celebrate.

Charles Smallwood is the Master of the Washington Archdiocese. He remembers seeing the Knights in a parade in Southern Maryland. "When I was nine years old, I saw these men walking so proudly -- so very, very proudly -- in their capes and chapeaus. At nine, I said, 'That's what I want to do!'"

Now that he's a high-ranking Fourth Level Knight, he says he's looking forward to one aspect of the ceremony in particular -- a reading by the young winner of this year's Daughters of the American Revolution essay contest. "When you have the youth talking about what this country means to them, that to me is more important than anything the old folk can do!"

Columbus Day ceremonies begin at Union Station at 11am.

Stephanie Kaye reports...