February’s noted by American society for many things: Super Bowl football, Valentine’s Day, African American life and history, and more. We in the Army Chaplaincy note most February 3rd (1942) the memory of sacrificial unity by four chaplains.
During WWII four Army Chaplains were aboard the SS Dorchester with soldiers on their way to Europe and war’s hell. The ship was torpedoed enroute sinking rapidly. Many lives were lost but many more saved physically and spiritually by these four sacredly called men of God. They gave their life jackets away to others when there wasn’t enough to go around. They comforted the scared and directed others to safety. Then linking arms, they sang praises to the God who created them, sustained them, and would now receive them into eternity. Brothers to the end of “bringing God to soldiers and soldiers to God” through their sacred calls. They were Chaplain George L. Fox (Methodist), Alexander D. Goode (Reformed Jew), Clark V. Poling (Reformed Church in America), and John P. Washington (Catholic Priest).
Their lessons for Unit Ministry Teams (UMT) across the generations still chime true: belief in God, commitment to God’s calling, sacrificial duty and more. Perhaps in our current times one lesson needs emphasis because of the ever-increased challenges placed upon it. The diversity of our faiths represented by our soldiers and chaplains does not negate our ability and need to be united in one mission and Corps by one call, both from God. UMT’s and Directors of Religious Education are charged with supporting soldiers and their families in the religious support of their choice equally among the faiths under their responsibility. This is difficult given the individual vows and loyalty to God as clergy as we experience the Devine. Yet in this love of God, we are able to love our neighbor in all their expressions of the Holy finding ways to share our own experiences while respecting others witness. Somewhere in this religious mix of relationships, we find God’s ultimate truths for us all. All this by God’s grace for His creation.
Please take a moment among the other events of this month, and remember four chaplains on the SS Dorchester: Chaplains Fox, Goode, Poling, and Washington. Remember them not just as heroes who “gave their all” but living lessons of success for us today in upholding the freedom of religion as written into our United States Constitution and Amendments. What the four chaplains did is what all chaplains are supposed to be. May it ever be so.
Pro Deo et Patria
Scottie Lloyd
USACCRA President
