Patriotic Memorial Service attendees in Louisville hear American Legion national chaplain share the story of a dying D-Day veteran’s vow renewals and the letter he wrote to his bride before storming Utah Beach.
American Legion National Chaplain Michael Pollitt is a retired Army chaplain and Department of Veterans Affairs chaplain. He began his VA career at the VA Detroit Medical Center where he served as chaplain and addiction therapist, and finished his career as national director for VA chaplains service under then VA Secretary Eric Shinseki. “But somewhere in the middle was my favorite, probably my best assignment,” he said to American Legion Family members and guests attending the Patriotic Memorial Service Sunday at the Kentucky International Convention Center for the 107th American Legion National Convention in Louisville.
That was his time serving as chief chaplain at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania.
He shared the story of a time when he filled in for a hospice chaplain and had the great honor of presiding over the renewal vows of a dying World War II veteran and his wife. The service was held in the dayroom where the veteran was wheeled in wearing a tuxedo T-shirt and a silk-top hat. It was in that room that Pollitt met the son.
“This was very difficult for him. He was breaking down every 10 minutes. His dad was dying, and they had a very, very bad relationship,” Pollitt said. “They had gone years without speaking.”
Before the social worker could read a letter that the World War II veteran had written his fiancée when they were engaged as teenagers and Pollitt administer the vows, a group of veterans walked in representing the 29th Division of the Maryland National Guard – all veterans of D-Day. Then a group of senior active-duty officers from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., the 4th Infantry Division, walked in.
“I found out later the word had gotten out that a dying D-Day veteran from the 4th Infantry Division was renewing his wedding vows on the hospice unit at the Coatesville VA,” Pollitt said. “At this point, the dayroom was filled to capacity.”
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The social worker then began to read the old letter held inside a plastic protector written by the then 18-year-old soldier. And it immediately grabbed Pollitt’s attention. “I said to myself, this is his last letter before the invasion. This guy is on his way to Utah Beach with General Roosevelt.”
The letter read, “4th Infantry Division, June 5, 1944. My Dearest Darling, I don't know when you will receive this letter because the mail has been frozen. This may be the last time I have ever write to you. We are getting ready, and I wanted to write to you one last time. I love you with all my heart. And if I don't make it back to you, please know that my last conscious thought will be you and your name, the last thing on my lips.”
As Pollitt became aware of tissues being drawn and noses blown, the social worker finished the young soldier’s letter that ended with the words of poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
“If God chooses, I shall but love thee better after death. Your Sam.”
The moment after the letter was finished, the dayroom erupted in applause and cheers.
“Just for a brief moment this dying old man was 18 again,” Pollitt said. “He rose to his feet, gave a sheepish grin, and he began to blush.
“He died the next day.”
A week later Pollitt received a letter from the son who wrote how moved he was by the service and the D-Day veterans and active-duty who came to pay their respects to his father. Pollitt said that he also wrote, “I never really understood what it meant to be a veteran but now I do. I have two regrets in life. I wish I had a closer relationship with my father. And I wish I had served in the military among those who gave of their youth for this great nation of ours.”
“And so my fellow Legionnaires, if today America shall appear great to you, consider that her greatness was purchased by valiant men and women,” Pollitt concluded.
Attendees of the Patriotic Memorial Service enjoyed music by the Louisville Chorus Fleur de Lis, while 2026 American Legion Boys Nation President Sawyer Ray of Arkansas lit the Candle of Remembrance for the POWs/MIAs.
American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley joined National Adjutant Rodney K. Rolland in a memorial wreath-laying ceremony, as did American Legion Auxiliary National President Pam Ray and National Secretary Kathy Daudistel, and Sons of The American Legion National Commander Bill Clancy III and SAL National Adjutant Anthony Wright.
And the Lady Lake, Fla., American Legion Post 347 Color Guard – winner of the 2025 and now 2026 National Color Guard competition – presented and retired the colors.
- Convention