Hill Air Force Base forms Deacon Douglas R. Sliger Knights of Columbus Council

Friday, Mar. 27, 2015

LAYTON — A Mass recognizing the formation of the Deacon Douglas R. Sliger Knights of Columbus Council 16127 at Hill Air Force Base was celebrated March 22; it is the newest council in the United States and the 36th in Utah.

Retired Colonel Charles Gallina, military liaison for the international fraternal Catholic men’s organization, presented Master Sargent Richard Jones, Grand Knight of Council 16127, with a charter. 

Representing the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council, Gallina said the highest priority of Supreme Knight Carl Anderson’s administration is service to the military and the veterans. “When I took this position we had about 40 military councils – this makes the 65th active military council in the nation,” he said.  

The council was named for Deacon Doug Sliger “because he came to serve,” Gallina continued. “He was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he was a commissioned U.S. Air Force officer and pilot, he had 22 years of active service and he retired as a lieutenant colonel. He also was a deacon for 24 years and served 12 years at Hill AFB. The council must now take its energy and drive from Doug Sliger.”

Gallina said support to the Hill AFB Catholic community and those of other denominations who use the base chapel are first and foremost in the council’s mission. When airmen deploy, Knights must support their families, he said. 

The council was named for Deacon Sliger “because he was a convert and he embraced the faith so deeply that he became a deacon,” said Deacon Thom Rodgers of Hill AFB in his homily. “Deacon Sliger’s first assignment took him to Saint Joseph Schools. After a number of years he was asked to start a parish in Ogden Valley; he literally went door to door to find Catholic families. Today we have the flourishing parish of Saint Florence.”

Deacon Sliger also was instrumental in starting Saint Ann’s Center for the homeless in Ogden, Deacon Rodgers continued. “He baptized many adults and children, counseled people, and convalidated many marriages here at Hill AFB. I greatly admired Deacon Doug; he was that grain of wheat that died and produced 100 fold.”

Father Joseph Idomele, pastor and Air Force captain and Fourth Degree Knight, said knowing what the Knights do will help to deepen the people’s faith in the Scriptures. “I have shared with the congregation that we are called, we are created out of love, we are called to love and we will be judged based on how we have loved one another,” said Fr. Idomele. “The whole mantra of the Knights is charity and love; I think it epitomizes who we are as Christians. I think it will make more people want to become Knights and practice their faith.” 

Establishing a council at Hill Air Force Base is a way for the Knights to serve those in the military service, said State Deputy Jerry Hanten.“This is our 36th council in Utah. When those in the military sign up, they know they could be giving up their lives; we want them to know we are behind them and we appreciate everything they are doing.” 

The first principle in starting a Knights of Columbus council at Hill AFB is charity, said Lt. Col. William Vill-egas, Deputy Grand Knight. “That spreads beyond our Catholic community to the needs of the local community, where we will look at assisting those who need food, wives who need their grass cut or other assistance when their husbands are deployed or they need babysitting,” he said.

Jones became a Knight last June in Okinawa, but when he came to Hill AFB in July he found out there wasn’t a Knights council on base. 

“I already had the fire in me and found out that Saint Rose of Lima Parish had a Knights of Columbus Council,” said Jones, adding that he transferred there and got his second, third and fourth degrees. “I was working with Deacon Rodgers to find out why Hill AFB didn’t have a council; it would go so far and then not happen; but he was thrilled with the idea.” 

On base, Jones found other Knights as well as some men who wanted to join the organization, so he was able to recruit the minimum of 30 Knights to start a council. “Seven months later we have our council and 45 members. This means so much to me,” Jones said, with tears filling his eyes. “I have been deployed 13 times and I am going to be deployed again. I know my wife and children will be taken care of and I’ve had her support in getting the council started.”