A Patriotic Award is a good fit for a man who owns multiple American flag suits. But beyond that, it’s for what the man in the suit did. On Sunday, June 7, Owen Loof, known to many as the Best Dressed Man in Rockaway, was honored with the Patriotic Award at the Knights of Columbus General Stephen J. Moylan Assembly #715’s 13th Annual Patriotic Ball at Russo’s on the Bay.
Loof was among other honorees that included Rev. Alonzo Cox, who was presented with the Pro Deo Et Patria Award and Debbie Hampson, who received the Americanism Award.
Tony Harilall of General Stephen J. Moylan Assembly #715 hosted the ceremony, presenting awards to each honoree. “There is one common quality here and that is to celebrate this act of service. Service is a fundamental aspect of humanity which often leads to a more harmonious society. The Knights of Columbus fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment, knowing that we contribute to something greater than ourselves, whether serving individually or collectively. I hope that this event serves to encourage a culture of service that can inspire others to join in creating a ripple effect of kindness and support.”
Harilall spoke of some of the reasons Loof was honored, including his service with the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1971, which included serving in the Vietnam War from March to October 1969. Loof earned a Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat and for his actions to save lives. Following his service, Loof went on to work for the New York City Transit Authority for 27 years and joined the Knights of Columbus in Rockaway in 1977, where he most recently served as Grand Knight.
Upon receiving the award, Loof said, “This is a really great honor. I am so thankful for the Stephen Moylan Assembly. Thank you to my brother Knights at the Knights of Columbus and the Columbiettes in Rockaway. I wouldn’t be here without them. Patriotism is not just loving your country. It’s the country, it’s not the government. James Madison said, ‘If men were angels, no government would be necessary.’ Country is ideals, but we can’t reach those ideals because we are not perfect and no government, no country is. The country is us. We are the country and that’s what we live for and strive for. It’s striving for those ideals that make the ideals worth it.”
In true Owen Loof fashion, after an outfit change, he accepted the award while wearing a patriotic print suit and was the star of the dance floor for the rest of the afternoon.
