The Four Chaplains
The Four Chaplains, were George Fox, a Methodist; Rabbi Alexander Goode, Jewish, John Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt. Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister, who died rescuing civilian and military personnel as the American troop ship SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943.
The Dorchester was a civilian liner converted for military service in World War II as a troop transport and was able to carry slightly over 900 military passengers and crew.
The ship left New York on January 23, 1943, heading to Greenland, as a part of a convoy of three ships escorted by Coast Guard Cutters. During the early morning hours of February 3, 1943, the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine off Newfoundland. The 4 chaplains helped the other soldiers board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. The chaplains remained on the ship as it went down. Each of the four chaplains was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. Please join us on February 5, 2023, at 2:30 pm as The Nassau County American Legion invites you to join us for our annual 4 Chaplains Interfaith Ceremony as we recall their unity and sacrifice.
WHERE:
Central Synagogue Beth Emeth
430 DeMott Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
For additional information contact Chaplain Eric Spinner (516) 369-5313
Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
Credits for photo used: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Chaplains
The image used is a stained glass window located at the U.S. Pentagon
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