Across the nation The American Legion Family gathered to honor Four Chaplains Day.
On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester was hit by a German U-boat torpedo as it was transporting troops in the North Atlantic to an American base in Greenland. The ship sank, killing 672 of the 902 officers and enlisted men, merchant seamen and civilian workers aboard. Among the dead were four members of the U.S. Army Chaplains Corps.
As soldiers rushed to lifeboats, Rev. George Fox (Methodist), Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode, Rev. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Father John Washington (Roman Catholic) comforted the wounded and directed others to safety. One survivor watched the chaplains distribute life jackets, and when they ran out, they removed theirs and gave them to four young men. As the Dorchester sank, the chaplains were seen linked arm in arm, praying.
For decades, members of The American Legion Family have honored the chaplains’ bravery on or around Feb. 3 of each year. In 1988, Congress designated February 3 as "Four Chaplains Day"; Four Chaplains Sunday is celebrated on the first Sunday of February.
Again this year, Four Chaplains Day commemorations took plaec across the nation. The following are just a few examples. American Legion Family members who hosted or coordinated a similar event are urged to share their stories and photos at www.Legiontown.org.
Alabama
In Oxford, American Legion Post 111 performed a Four Chaplains Church Service at Trinity Baptist Church, followed by a luncheon.
Arkansas
In Siloam Springs, American Legion Post 29 hosted a Four Chaplains memorial service that included a proclamation being presented by Mayor Judy Nation to Post 29 Commander Charles Ricks, reading the biographies of the four chaplains and a video about them, live music, a candlelight service and bell ringing.
California
· In Placentia, American Legion Post 277 hosted a Four Chaplains Day event that was open to both Legion Family members and the community.
· In Sanger, The American Legion Department of California’s Four Chaplains’ Day Inter-Faith Service will take place at Grace Community Church on Feb. 6. The service is open to Legion Family members and the community.
Florida
· In Dania Beach, members of Florida’s Ninth District American Legion Family conducted their Four Chaplains Commemoration Ceremony at I.T. Parker Community Center, a waterfront venue. The ceremony included an indoor portion and the placing of a wreath into the water. Following the ceremony, American Legion Post 304 hosted a dinner and evening event.
· In Orlando, Pine Castle Memorial Post 286 hosted a Four Chaplains ceremony that featured participation from the post’s entire American Legion Family and drew a packed house.
· In Palatka, Bert Hodge Post 45 hosted a Four Chaplains Day ceremony that featured a display with photos of each chaplain in front of either a cross or Star of David, a candle lighting and four chairs with life preserver on each.
· In Safety Harbor, Post 238’s American Legion Family hosted a Four Chaplains Day event. Each member of the Legion Family had a role in organizing and conducting the ceremony.
Georgia
At Fort Benning, American Legion Post 333 hosted an interfaith Four Chaplains memorial service at Chaplains Field, which is located adjacent to The Infantry Chapel.
Illinois
In Schiller Park, American Legion Post 104 hosted a Four Chaplains ceremony for the Department of Illinois 9th District American Legion Family. The ceremony included prayers, a reading of the biographies of each chaplain and the playing of two videos that told the story of the Four Chaplains.
Maine
In Boothbay, Past Charles E. Sherman Jr. Post 36 Commander David Patch conducted a Four Chaplains ceremony at an assisted living facility in Brunswick. During the ceremony he shared information on each of the chaplains.
Michigan
In Lapeer, Department Second Vice Commander Roger Deaton was the guest speaker at American Legion Post 16’s Four Chaplains service. The service also included support from the Young Marines of Lapeer County.
New Hampshire
In Rochester, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 7 is hosting a Four Chaplains ceremony that will include coffee, water and a light brunch.
New Jersey
In Kearney, American Legion Family members from Essex and Hudson Counties attended the annual Four Chaplains mass at Saint Stephens Church. The Legion Family members entered the church as a group, prompting Essex County Sons of The American Legion Commander Kevin Infield to note “Marching in as a unit shook me to my core … it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.”
New York
In Hudson Falls, American Legion Post 574 hosted its annual Four Chaplains interfaith memorial service.
Ohio
· In Wapakoneta, American Legion Post 330 hosted the Department of Ohio 2nd District Four Chaplains memorial service. “When it was time to pass out the lifejackets and give the gloves and coats away to somebody else, there wasn’t a question about ‘What are you anyhow?’,” American Legion Ohio 2nd District Chaplain Jim Fast during the ceremony. “‘You’re a good Catholic boy, should I give you my coat?’ See, things like that don’t enter into it. It was the love for your fellow man that these men were the example of when they did this.” Post 330 member Leslie Kubinski added the chaplains knew their fate and still performed their heroic deed. “They knew that they would soon be with their maker, as the man who died on the cross for our salvation,” Kubinski said. “And so, we honor these brave spiritual men with words cast on metal plaques, telling of their selflessness and acts of true heroism. We remember them in our hearts and minds as we pass on their stories of their love for their God and their fellow man.”
· In Wilmington, American Legion Post 49 conducted a Four Chaplains memorial service at First Christian Church, led by Post 49 Chaplain Dr. Anthony Smith. Wilmington Mayor Patrick Haley also proclaimed Feb. 3 Four Chaplains Day in the city.
· In Georgetown, American Legion Post 180 conducted a Four Chaplains ceremony at the Ohio Veterans Home in Georgetown, something the post regularly has done throughout the years.
Oklahoma
In Sand Springs, Billie A. Hall Post 17 conducted a Four Chaplains ceremony that included a candlelight vigil, as well as honoring American Legion Auxiliary Department of Oklahoma Education/Scholarship Chairman Patsy Chinn for being a recipient of the Legion of Honor Award.
South Dakota
· In Sioux Falls, American Legion Post 15 conducted a Four Chaplains Day service. “It’s always on your mind what can happen. And then, during a time of war, we could all place ourselves in that moment,” Post 15 Commander Patrick Branco said. “The soldiers in the room, the sailors in the room, each of us can know what it feels like to be heading to war, and you’re already afraid for that.”
· In Sturgis, American Legion Post 33 was one of three veterans organizations who took part in the Four Chaplains remembrance at the Vets Club. Post 33 Commander Craig Sanderson concluded the ceremony by playing Yaps; American Legion Auxiliary Unit 33 provided a soup meal for those in attendance following the ceremony.
Tennessee
In Gallatin, Department Chaplain Jon Shonebarger will lead the Four Chaplains memorial service on Feb. 8 at John T. Alexander Post 17. The ceremony was scheduled for Feb. 1 but had to be rescheduled due to weather.
- Honor & Remembrance