- January 11, 2025
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Locals sang hymns and officials gave speeches at the American Legion Flagler Post 115's Four Chaplains Memorial Service on Saturday, Feb. 4.
The service was hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8696. Palm Coast Mayor David Alfin presented a proclamation at the service.
The four chaplains referred to in the event's title were military chaplains who died after giving up their lifejackets to save others aboard the American troop ship the SS Dorchester as it sank in the North Atlantic on Feb. 3, 1943, after a German U-boat torpedo attack.
The four chaplains — George Fox, a Methodist minister; Alexander Goode, a Rabbi; Clark Poling, a Reformed Church minister; and John Washington, a Catholic priest — helped other people board lifeboats, then stood hand-in-hand in prayer as the ship went down.
They were among the 675 who died during or as a result of the sinking, of the 904 people on board.
The sinking of the SS Dorchester is considered one of the worst sea disasters of World War II, and the chaplains' selfless actions are celebrated annually.
The Central Florida Police and Fire Pipes and Drums played taps at the Feb. 4 ceremony at the VFW post, and attendees sang "Amazing Grace, “America the Beautiful,” and “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace.”
