I CONSIDER IT A PRIVILEGE

Each year for around the last 20 years, I have been invited to participate in “The Four Chaplains Service”. The American Legion, Post 147, on Folly Road, invites me along with a few other Pastors, Priests and Rabbis to participate in the reading of the story. This Sunday, February1st at 2:00 will be the time of the meeting. If you have never seen the service, I invite you to join us. It is an inspirational story of faith and bravery.

On February 3rd, 1943, a German submarine sank the USS Dorchester, a transport ship with 902 souls on board. With total chaos and panic of the explosion, smoke and fire many were killed and many were terrible wounded. In the midst of such pandemonium, the four Chaplains on board joined together to bring hope and comfort. They offered prayers and help to those disoriented. They also offered their own life jackets giving hope to soldiers but sealing their own fate. They never asked are you Protestant, Catholic or Jew. They were an inspiring example of their faith, courage and selflessness. Only 230 of the men on board survived. All four of the Chaplains perished. Almost 82 years later, their story is still told and their names are read with gratitude: Lt. Rev. George L. Fox; Lt. Rabbi Alexander Goode; Lt. Priest John Washington; Lt. Rev Clark Poling. They were posthumously awarded The Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart.

Our thanks to the many men and women who serve and have served our beloved country. We pray God’s protection on all who serve. May you all come home safe to your homes and your families. May we remember those who did not.

God bless America,

Pastor Tom Brown