Post 90 honors troops with Four Chaplains ceremony

The ninth annual Four Chaplains ceremony at American Legion Post 90 in Cape Coral honored the acts of the “Immortal Chaplains” who sacrificed their lives on the USS Dorchester during World War II.
On Feb. 3, 1943, George Fox (Methodist), Alexander Goode (Jewish), Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and John Washington (Roman Catholic) ensured their fellow servicemen had life jackets before they perished after the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat off Greenland. Their selfless act symbolized unity and interfaith cooperation.
The ceremony was held Sunday and included a moment of silence, a prayer, and readings detailing the tragic events and the chaplains’ heroism. The service emphasized the importance of teaching future generations about selflessness.
John Baker, Commander of Post 90, led the service.
“Many of those survivors owe their lives to the courage and leadership exhibited by the historic four chaplains who, by sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood,” Baker said. “Since 1951, the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has spread the message of interfaith cooperation and selfless service, touching the lives of thousands of people across this great country.”
Baker mentioned the importance of keeping Southwest Floridians informed on the chaplains and the history of the U.S. military and those who served.
“It is vital for them to understand and put selfless service on behalf of others and their accomplishments,” Baker said.
Patty Kelton, the treasurer of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 90, told the history of the attack, which resulted in the single-greatest death toll for a U.S. convoy during World War II. There were 904 aboard; 675 died.
“The chaplains talked and listened to the men, soothing their apprehensions, (providing) encouragement and sharing a joke by their concern, their camaraderie with their men and one another,” Kelton said. “It only took 27 minutes before the ship began to slip under the waves.”
The service these men committed was commemorated and forever in the hearts of many.
Sherry Baker, the first president of Post 90, shared, “When last seen, they were standing together on the deck, leading the men in prayer, with arms linked in friendship and heads bowed in prayer. They sang beneath the waves.”
The readings continued with a summary of each life of the four chaplains and a backstory on their motivations to join the service.
George Fox was the oldest of the four and he won a Silver Star for rescuing a wounded soldier from poison gas on the battlefield.
Alexander Goode led his high school class in scholarship. He planned to follow his father’s footsteps steps and become a rabbi, but that didn’t keep him from having a good time.
Clark Polling, the youngest of four ministers, expressed his desire to serve on the front lines in a letter to his father. Despite his father’s advice to stay safe, Clark became a chaplain, recognizing the high mortality rate among chaplains.
John Washington was always laughing right through his training as a priest and, after he was ordained, he played ball in the streets with the boys from his parish. He organized baseball teams and when the war came along, his boys went into the army, and he did, too.
A moment of silence was presented after each story, and a symbolic candle was lit in honor of each Chaplain who passed.
“The Ceremony of the Empty Chair” took place in which those missing in action are honored.
A red ribbon and a slice of lemon serve as reminders of their sacrifice and the bitterness of their fate. Salt on the plate symbolizes the endurance of volunteers and families, while an inverted glass and a candle signify the hope for their return.
The service finished with a 21-gun salute and a last prayer.
Baker gave a few comments about the future of Post 90 and the events they are planning.
“Well, we always participate in the Veterans Day Parade. With the city of Cape Coral, we have a law and order program going where we honor Cape Coral’s fireman, a policeman and an EMT. We’ll have a banquet and submit them to our department,” John Baker said.
Lisa Arnold, chairperson for the American Legion Post 90 Women’s Veteran Community, has plans to give a spotlight on the women who served through her service with Post 90. She plans to have an event March 30.