BYRON – Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served their country in the military.
Toward that end, on Nov. 11 from noon to 4 p.m. the Byron Masons collected money from passerbys to raise money to help fund the Darkhorse Retreat.
DarkHorse Lodge is a retreat for combat veterans of all branches to come to relax, fish on Kentucky Lake, enjoy area activities and communicate with others who have walked in their boots. All at no cost to the guests. Once completed, there will be five, five bedroom guest cabins, each room named for one of the 25 men lost from the Marine Corps 3/5, Darkhorse unit.

The Lodge is the idea of Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood whose 19 year old son, LCpl Alec E Catherwood, was killed in action on Oct. 14, 2010.
For their money receptacles the Masons used actual Marine Corp helmets which they borrowed from a collection belonging to a member of the Lodge.
Last year, the Lodge donated $1,564.64 raised from the people passing by. The Byron police department granted the Lodge permission to conduct the fundraiser, the Byron fire department was on the scene the entire time with a fire engine with the lights going to help visual awareness, and GK graphics donated the signage used to attract people.
“We are extremely proud to have been able to help such a worthy cause such as Darkhorse Lodge and look forward to another successful fundraiser on Veterans’ Day to help our returning veterans,” project organizer Byron Lodge No. 274 Master Josiah Henson said.