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By Editor Becky Watts
ZEBULON - On February 3, 1943, a convoy of ships traveled through the cold night off of the coast of Greenland. A U-223 submarine fired upon the USAT Dorchester which had 902 men on board. In less than thirty minutes, the ship sank into the freezing water. 672 men died in the icy waters with only 230 surviving this ordeal.
There were four Chaplains on board that night: two Protestant pastors, a Catholic priest and a Jewish rabbi. Rabbi Alexander Goode, Father John Washington, Rev. Clark V. Poling, and Rev. George L. Fox each encouraged the men and gave their life jackets, coats, and gloves to others as the ship went down that night. Multiple witnesses said that they were locked in a huddle and, as the ship went down, they were singing praises and praying for the men. This program honored these four men who willingly gave their lives for others.
American Legion Pike Post 197 hosted the second annual Four Chaplains Program on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church. Members from various American Legion posts around our area and the state attended this program as well as many members from the community with over 70 people in attendance. Members from Special music was provided by the Life Springs Praise Team.
Sons of American Legion Chaplain Bart Brock, Sons of American Legion Cdr. Dwayne Walker, American Legion Member Ted Arnold, and American Legion Auxiliary Tamra Granger read the story of each chaplain's life as his photo was shown on the screen. At the end of each chaplain's life story, his picture was laid face down, the candle that had burned so brightly was snuffed out, and a black ribbon was placed on their cross or Star of David.
The audience learned that these four young men had enough in common to bond them together. Their common cause was the desire to render service to their country. They also had the same Heavenly Father in common. Everyone stood in a show of respect as TAPS played across the sound system after their stories were told.
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:12-13 (NIV).
They gave comfort to hundreds of men and never once sought out others of the same faith as the ship was going down. “They didn’t call out for a Methodist, a Reformed Church member, A Catholic or a Jew – they helped every single man they could,” said Post 197 Chaplain Ben Maxedon. They showed a higher sense of duty and commitment and ultimate service in fulfilling the Great Commission.
A Special Medal for Heroism was created for these four chaplains and later presented to their families. It will never be given to anyone else. This was the 70th anniversary of that fateful night.
Other portions of the program were presented by American Legion Cdr. Bill Payton, Sr., American Legion Auxiliary Chaplain Patti Maxedon, American Legion Auxiliary President Peggi Payton, American Legion Vice Cdr. Steve Huckaby, American Legion Sr. Vice Cdr. Dan Kiser, and American Legion Chaplain Ben Maxedon.
