Col. Edmund J. Degan (U.S. Army-ret.) was the keynote speaker Sunday at the annual Knights of Columbus Veterans Day celebration at the Church of St. Therese, Gloucester. Over 90 people assembled to hear Degen’s presentation and enjoy a generous brunch with veterans and their families. The retired field artillery officer most recently served as Director of the Chief of Staff, Army’s Operation Enduring Freedom Study Group. He commanded artillery units at all levels through brigade and served as the V Corps (U.S.) chief of plans for the Iraq invasion at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, chief of future operations for U.S. Forces Korea, and chief of staff for Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435 in Afghanistan. The ceremony was complemented by the presentation of the colors and service flags by the Color Corps of KofC Assembly 2184 of Yorktown. The Church of St Therese pastor Fr. Venancio R. Balatore “Jun” provided the parish social hall for the event. Past Grand Knight Eric Ander...