Friday, February 03, 2006

Four Chaplains Day

Today, February 3, is Four Chaplains Day in America, a day that was established by Congress in 1988. This column by Rees Lloyd in today's WorldNetDaily gives the story of the four chaplains who are honored on this day each year.

The Four Chaplains are: Rev. George Fox (Methodist); Father John Washington (Roman Catholic); Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode; and Rev. Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed).

On Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester, a converted luxury cruise ship, was transporting Army troops to Greenland in World War II.... At approximately 12:55 a.m., in the dead of a freezing night, the Dorchester was hit by a torpedo fired by German U-boat 233 in an area so infested with German submarines it was known as "Torpedo Junction." The blast ripped a hole in the ship from below the waterline to the top deck.

The Four Chaplains acted together to try bring some order to the chaos, to calm the panic of the troops, to alleviate their fear and terror, to pray with and for them, to help save their lives and souls.

The chaplains passed out lifejackets, helping those too panicked to put them on correctly, until the awful moment arrived when there were no more life jackets to be given out. It was then that a most remarkable act of heroism, courage, faith and love took place:

Each of the Four Chaplains took off his life jacket, and, knowing that act made death certain, put his life jacket on a soldier who didn't have one, refusing to listen to any protest that they should not make such a sacrifice.

There's much more in Lloyd's column, including quotes from the Dorcester's survivors who witnessed the chaplains' dedication to God and the men they served. Read it for inspiration, and take a moment to remember these men who gave all that they had so that others could live.

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