BENTONVILLE — 2010 has been an eventful one for the Swisher family. Brian and Gail Swisher and their two sons, Daniel and Michael, were named the Knights of Columbus’ Arkansas Family of the Year at the state convention this spring and represented the state at the Knights’ national convention in Washington, D.C.
Gail and Brian are both religion education teachers at St. Stephen Church in Bentonville. Gail also teaches at St. Bernard Church in Bella Vista. Brian ushers at Mass and Gail is an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist. Brian’s community activities include Cub Scout leader, assistant Scoutmaster and adviser to the Philmont Boy Scout Training Center in New Mexico. He has also served on various boards of special needs organizations.
Gail, a nursing instructor at Northwest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, has worked for more than a decade at Camp Barnabas in Purdy, Mo., a summer camp that serves children with disabilities and their siblings.
Their activities as a family stem from their involvement with the special needs of their youngest son. Eighteen-year-old Michael, who has cerebral palsy, has set an example for others in the community through his achievements as an Eagle Scout and his participation as a member of the Knights of Columbus along with his older brother, Daniel, who is 23.
The family was first nominated and voted on by the St. Stephen council and a detailed application for the family was submitted for consideration by the state members. According to Brian Swisher, each of the 55 councils in Arkansas may submit Family of the Year nominations, and most councils participate.
“I was very honored by the award and surprised because I think of our family as just a typical family,” he said. “We try to do what Jesus and our Church expects. I am truly humbled.”
The Swisher family traveled to the Knights of Columbus convention in Washington, D.C., in August where state winners of the Family of the Year awards were in attendance. As one of the delegates, Brian said, “Going to the Supreme Convention was a thrill. I have been to many state conventions, but the opportunity to be with brother Knights from all over the world was truly amazing. My sons both have followed me into the Knights on their own, and it was great having them along. I know they both have a much better idea now of all the good our Church and Knights of Columbus do around the world.”
On July 29, preceding the family’s visit to Washington, U.S. Rep. John Boozman spoke on the House floor to honor the Swisher family as the Knights of Columbus Arkansas Family of the Year. According to the Congressional Record, Boozman recognized the family’s efforts in the community as “an inspiration and a heartfelt story that should be commemorated throughout the nation for their passion, commitment and desire. They truly are deserving of the recognition Arkansas Family of the Year.”
The convention opened Aug. 3 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, with nearly 2,000 delegates, their families and guests in attendance. Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl was the principal celebrant of the opening Mass, along with eight cardinals and 140 priests.
Gail Swisher said, “The size of the basilica is overwhelming. The processional entrance of the opening Mass celebration took 25 minutes that included the altar boys, seminarians, priests, bishops, archbishops and cardinals. Two at a time and it still took 25 minutes.”
While Brian attended business meetings during the convention, Gail and her sons were able to tour the White House.
“They won’t let you take anything on the tour, no cameras, no cell phones, no bags of any kind so we had left everything at the hotel. Because of Michael’s wheelchair, we couldn’t go upstairs on the tour. It was at this point that one of the guards came up to us and said, ‘Follow me,’” Gail said.
The guard then took them through President Barack Obama’s kitchen to an elevator. As the elevator door opened, a young woman stepped off. She greeted the family and then asked Michael if he liked dogs. “When he answered ‘yes,’ the girl said, ‘Do you want to pet Bo, the president’s dog?’ She opened the door behind her and called the dog out for Michael to pet. The girl told Michael that the president’s daughters were away and that Bo was lonely so it was nice that Michael got to pet him,” Gail said. “I wished we had had a camera.”
One highlight of this convention was the state dinner Aug. 4. This event brought together the members from 50 states and other countries. The delegates, families and guests sat according to their countries and states, waving flags and singing songs along with the band. National anthems of different countries were played, including the official song of the Vatican City State.
“Every state table had its own flag and flyers. It was a very formal affair where they announced the individual states and countries,” Gail said. “Before the dinner the various states or countries hosted special events in their own hospitality rooms. It was interesting to see all these people. Anywhere in the world where there is a Knights of Columbus council, members can participate in the convention.”
After the meetings concluded, the Swisher family stayed in Washington over the weekend.
“We wanted to see more of Washington,” Gail said. “We had never been there before. It was a lot of walking and a lot of the Metro. We visited several of the Smithsonians, the Holocaust Museum, Arlington Cemetery and other historical sites like the Lincoln Monument. Our son, Daniel was an art major so we went to the National Gallery of Art and several other art galleries. It was a wonderful opportunity for our family.”
