(Clarksville, Tenn., 6 Feb 2022) CSM Gary W. Crisp American Legion Post 289, along with Scout Troop 289 and Scouts BSA Troop 21, all honored the courageous sacrifice of the Four Chaplains at the Four Chaplains Memorial Service. "This service is a tribute to those courageous chaplains and the 672 brave young men who lost their lives on that fateful night. Further, this service honors all those who have served, and whose courage and faith have sustained our country,” stated Ernest Schmidt, 2nd Vice and committee chairman for this event. Post 289 Commander David Zeveney described how on that cold and icy morning, four men of different denominations came together in solidarity, giving up their life vests so others could live. “At 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, 1943, the bell on the United States Of America Troop Ship (USAT) Dorchester rang twice and never sounded again,” recounted Schmidt. “USAT Dorchester was torpedoed by an enemy submarine, and 672 young men paid the supreme sacrifice. Four candles were lit in honor of the chaplains, each with a story reflecting his life and service..
Carmen Cherry of Post 289 explained that when the war started, Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister from Vermont and veteran of World War I, told his wife, “I’ve got to go. I know from experience what our boys are about to face. They need me.” Kerem Hashem, a member of the Messianic Jewish Congregation in Clarksville, lit a candle for Lt. Alexander D. Goode and told the story of how Goode was an outstanding athlete and scholar who wanted to be a rabbi, like his father. When the war broke out, he joined the Army Chaplain Corps, leaving his wife behind. Larry Johnson of Post 289 explained that Lt. Clark V. Poling, a seventh-generation Dutch Reformed minister, was the youngest of the four. He asked his father to pray for him when he left for the war. Tony Carmona, post chaplain, explained how Lt. John P. Washington, a young Irish man, was the leader of the South Twelfth Street gang. “His wonderful voice, raised in song and prayer to comfort those around him, could be heard until his final moments." In World War II 231,000 men and 10,000 women served in the Coast Guard. Of these, 1,918 gave their lives in service, and Charles Walter David Jr. was one of them. Post 289's Jason Knight honored Steward’s Mate David Jr. That night, out of the 227 survivors of Dorchester, he saved 93 of them.