Four military chaplains offer a lifetime of inspiration for the summertime doldrums.
Their selfless acts saved many from a sinking ship, the Dorchester, in 1943.
Their heroism will inspire you for many years to come.
Searching for heroes
So far, the 2023 headlines have been . . .
- Ukraine war
- school shootings
- political strife
Where are the heroes today? Where is God? Where is sanity, beauty and goodness?
That’s what 900 civilian and military folks were thinking about 1:00 AM, February 3, 1943 when a German submarine torpedoed their ship, the Dorchester, off the Newfoundland coast in the North Atlantic.
- Middle of the night
- Few life boats
- 36 degrees
The torpedo blew up the electrical circuits and panic ensued as many were trapped below decks.
Chaos emboldens chaplains
This is when the ship’s chaplains took over.
Relatively new, they all held the rank of first lieutenant.
- Rabbi Alexander D. Goode
- Catholic priest Father John P. Washington
- Methodist minister George L. Fox
- Reformed Church in America Reverend Clark V. Poling
As chaos billowed, the chaplains became the captains and calmed everyone into orderly evacuation.
They led the wounded to safety and handed out lifejackets.
When the supply ran out, they gave theirs to others.
They loaded as many as they could into the lifeboats.
In the final moments before the Dorchester sank, many survivors recount the remarkable scene of the four chaplains linking arms in prayer and singing hymns as they disappeared with the ship into the freezing waters of the North Atlantic.
Our lives like ships on a journey
Why not see your life mission like the chaplains?
Whatever your profession or stage in life, hand out life jackets.
Hand out life jackets to your . . .
- family
- friends
- community
- co-workers
You’ll be happier with better mental and emotional health.
Your purpose will be enhanced and you will be loved and remembered just like the four chaplains.
On 19 December 1944, they were honored with the Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross. A commemorative stamp was issued by the U. S. Post Office in 1948.
Afterwards, Congress introduced the Four Chaplains’ Medal which was presented to their survivors.
What lifejackets are you handing out?