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| Staff photo/Joshua Archer The heroic efforts of the Four Chaplains of the U.S.A.T Dorchester were remembered Feb. 7 during a solemn ceremony at the American Legion Post 15 in Caribou. Marking the WW II event were, from left, Steffin Gallupe, District 16 sergeant-at-arms and Post 18 Mars Hill commander; Lloyd Woods, past national vice commander of Madawaska; and Andy Olson, past state commander from Stockholm. |
By Joshua Archer
Staff writer
CARIBOU — Members of the 16th District of Maine’s American Legion met at the American Legion Post 15 hall in Caribou Saturday to honor four chaplains who selflessly gave their lives to save American servicemen during World War II.
Saturday’s ceremony was dedicated to four chaplains, George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington who gave up their life jackets to sailors falling into the water after an enemy submarine torpedoed their ship, the U.S.A.T Dorchester, on Feb. 3, 1943.
The four chaplains – two Protestants, a Catholic and a Jew – went down with the ship, arms linked in brotherhood and their heads bowed in prayer, according to eyewitness accounts.
According to Department of Maine Adjutant Paul L’Heureux the memory of the chaplains lives on in the ceremony performed not only by Aroostook County veterans, “it’s also performed all over the country and the world in 15,000 American Legion posts.
“Four men dedicated to God, which is what we stand for as veterans— God and country — the ceremony means a lot to veterans and what these men did for veterans,” L’Heureux said.
Roderick Collins, 16th District commander, said he’d never heard the story of the four chaplains until he joined the American Legion six years ago and according to him not knowing this piece of American history is a travesty.
“We’re trying to get history out to the public. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for people like this. Not everybody can serve and those who do serve do it selflessly and I think people should be aware of it,” Collins said.
The Loring Job Corps Color Guard presented the nation’s colors to the 16th District before the story of the four chaplains was read aloud to a crowd of family members and veterans. A candle was lit in memory of each chaplain and the ceremony closed with heads bowed in silence while “Taps” played in the background.
Staff photo/Joshua Archer
Among those attending a recent American Legion ceremony to honor four chaplains who gave their lives during WW II when their ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat were, from left, Wayne Little, commander for Post 15 area 7; Clyde Brown, chaplain for 16th District; Roderick Collins, commander for 16th District; Doug Michaud, chaplain for Post 15; Steffin Gallupe, District 16 sergeant-at-arms and commander for Post 18 Mars Hill; Lloyd Woods of Madawaska, past national vice commander; and Andy Olson of Stockholm, past state commander. The event was hosted by Post 15 in Caribou.
