Legions, local students honor four chaplains

American Legion Post 240 and Auxiliary Unit 240 hosted a special service honoring the 80th anniversary of the sacrifice of the ‘Four Chaplains.’ On Feb. 3, 1943, the SS Dorchester was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine while traveling to southern Greenland. The damage was severe and sank in 20 minutes. Chaplains George L. Fox Alexander L. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John Washington all surrendered their life jackets to other crewmen and helped get others to safety. Reports state that survivors in nearby rafts could see the men on the slanting ship, offering prayers and singing hymns. Congress named Feb. 3 Four Chaplains Day and awarded the men the Chaplain’s Medal for Heroism. In a Sunday service at the Legion post in Stephenville, members of the Legion told the story of their sacrifice while Stephenville High School Student Council members presented biographies, lit candles in their honor and sang “Amazing Grace” before the playing of Taps. Paul Gaudette