MANCHESTER – It was the first proclamation presentation for new Mayor Joseph Hankins who was joined by Police Chief Antonio Ellis and local chaplains to observe Four Chaplains Day.
The mayor summoned up before the dais, Major Raphael Berdago of the U.S. Air Force, Francis Watson and Owen Olsten who accepted the proclamations that honored four heroic U.S. Army Chaplains who demonstrated extraordinary courage, selflessness and compassion during World War II.
Their Story
Early on February 3, 1943, an enemy torpedo struck the Army transport Dorchester as it carried 902 officers and enlisted men, Navy armed guard, merchant seamen and civilian workers in the North Atlantic. The Coast Guard cutter escorts Comanche and Escanaba rescued 230 men.
As Dorchester took on water, four Army chaplains – Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed) – calmed frightened soldiers, aided the wounded and guided the disoriented toward safety.
On deck, they opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. When there were no more available, the chaplains removed their life jackets and gave them to four young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, a survivor.
As the ship went down, men in rafts saw the four chaplains, arms linked and braced against the slanting deck, singing hymns and praying.
Congress attempted to confer the Medal of Honor on the chaplains but was prevented by strict requirements of heroism under fire. It authorized a one-time posthumous Special Medal for Heroism, awarded by President Eisenhower in 1961; it was intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor.
Mayor Joseph Hankins (right) joins chaplain representatives Major Raphael Berdago of the U.S. Air Force, Francis Watson and Owen Olsten and Police Chief Antonio Ellis for a presentation of a proclamation honoring Four Chaplains Day during a recent held township council meeting. (Photo by Bob Vosseller)
Remembering Their Sacrifice
Every year, American Legion posts across the country commemorate the selfless acts of the Four Chaplains on or near Feb. 3, designated Four Chaplains Day by Congress in 1948. Through interfaith services, memorial ceremonies and other solemn events, members of the American Legion Family lead their communities in honoring the chaplains and 668 other men who died when Dorchester sank.
Founded in 1951, the Chapel of Four Chaplains in Philadelphia encourages and supports these observances, and recognizes selfless service to community, nation and humanity through its Legion of Honor award program.
Mayor’s Proclamation
The mayor’s proclamation declared February 3 as Four Chaplains Day in Manchester Township and called upon township residents to observe this day with solemn remembrance and reflection and gratitude “for the courage and sacrifices of the Four Chaplains, as well as for all those who serve in our armed forces.”
Hankins further remarked, “probably one of the biggest things is for our two police chaplains here who ride along with our police officers is to get the officers to trust them to speak with them. It is the same in the military, I am sure.”
“Once they are able to jump that hurtle, they are able to provide some spiritual advice to our officers and our military,” the mayor added.
A Timely Message
Councilwoman Michele Zolezi summed up the historical significance of the event during the latest township council meeting. “February 3 was Four Chaplains Remembrance Day and for me it really resonates, especially with things that are going on, I find it really empowering because it is really about four chaplains from various backgrounds.”
“One was Jewish, one was Baptist, one was methodist and one was Catholic and the story itself was profound for its day. They really put away any difference that they may have had and just worked together in collaboration for the betterment of people,” she added.
“You could apply it to today,” she continued. “People have different backgrounds, different opinions, different ideology and you come together and collaborate for the betterment of people or a community.”
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