Bluffton Legion commemorates 4 Chaplain Sunday

To commemorate the sacrifice of four armed services chaplains during World War II, Bluffton American Legion Post 382 will observe Religious Emphasis Week Feb. 5-11, and Four Chaplains Sunday, Feb. 5, Chaplain Donald Rock of the post announced.

Legion members will attend the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service on Feb. 5, at St. John’s United Church of Christ.

This marks the 74th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Dorchester and the heroism demonstrated by four chaplains.

The story of these four men stirred the nation; they were credited with the saving of more than 200 lives. These four - a Jewish rabbi, a Roman Catholic priest and two Protestant ministers - calmly issued life belts to American servicemen aboard the troop transport after it was torpedoed on Feb. 3, 1943.

When the supply of life preservers was exhausted, the four Chaplains removed their own life belts and gave them to four soldiers and then stood calmly on the sinking ship, their arms around one another’s shoulders and their heads bowed in prayer.