community

On January 23, 1943, the USAT Dorchester, escorted by three Coast Guard cutters, left New York harbor bound for Greenland carrying 902 officers, servicemen and civilian workers. On February 2, one of the cutters detected the presence of a submarine but failed to find its position. Down in the ship’s stifling hold, four U.S. Army chaplains, Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Reformed, circulated among the men calming their fears and passing out soda crackers to alleviate seasickness. Early in the morning of February 3 the chaplains were still up just before 1:00 when the torpedo struck. The tremendous explosion threw soldiers from bunks and the lights went out as the stricken ship listed to starboard, sinking fast.. The four chaplains quickly moved among the bewildered men, calming them, directing them to life rafts, urging them to escape the doomed ship. Many had forgotten their life jackets. The chaplains located a supply in a deck locker and passed them out. When the bin was empty they pulled off their own and made others put them on.. The four chaplains remained on the ship’s slanted aft deck, standing together, arms linked, heads bowed in prayer, as the Dorchester slipped beneath the waves. Their sacrifice would be remembered as one of the most touching stories of the Second World War, and their legacy continues to this day. This event was the catalyst for Americans to embrace interfaith understanding. Until the Dorchester, there was no mention in print of Catholics, Protestants and Jews working together in this manner, especially in prayer. It was a transformational moment for America, the first time all three denominations were recognized by the mainstream population as serving together and with common purpose. This year, Pastor...

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