Memorial Service held for The Four Chaplains

On Sunday, February 3rd the South Middleboro United Methodist church and the American Legion District 10 of Southeastern Massachusetts conducted a memorial service in honor of the four heroic WWII Chaplains. The service was organized by District 10 Chaplain Mary Standish and church pastor Rebecca Hewitt.

Reflecting on the sacrifices of the Four Chaplains is a major annual event of the American Legion. Each year, on the first Sunday in February, local Post members are invited to honor the memories of the Four Chaplains, who, during the sinking of the USS Dorchester in January, 1943, gave their life vests to others who needed them.

The Four Chaplains, who remained on board as the ship went down, were last seen, arms linked, praying and singing hymns on the bow of the ship. They were John P. Washington, Roman Catholic priest; George L Fox, Methodist minister; Alexander D. Goode, Jewish rabbi and Clark V. Poling, Reformed Church in America minister.

Among those attending the annual event were State Commander Fred White, State Vice-Commander Tony Diaz, State Finance Officer Bob Burke, Frank MacDonald of Post 220 and the Honor Guard of Plymouth's PFC Edward A. Ribeiro American Legion Post 40 consisting of Phil Ryan, Allan Martin and Stan Skrabut.

Also attending from Middleboro's Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 were Wayne Packard, Walter Campbell, Jr, Don Triner, Richard Washburn, Mary Standish, Paul Provencher and Walter Elliot. Leaders and Boy Scouts of Troop 64, which is sponsored by Post 64 also attended the service. They were Barry Schuster, Bud Martenson, Don Baldwin, Debbie Schuster, James Desmond, Joshua Desmond, Eric Baldwin, Ross Middleton, James Baldwin and Tyler Heidke.