MEDIA RELEASE__Chaplain Gary Dipnarine of Bluffton American Legion Post 382 has announced that the post will observe the Sacrifice of Four Armed Forces Chaplains during World War II, during the Sunday, February 1, worship service at the Bluffton First Methodist Church, 116 Church St.

The public is welcome to attend the service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. All veterans are invited to attend and will meet at 10:15 a.m. in winter dress.

Of the many incidents of World War II, none stirred the nation more deeply than the story of these four men of God, whose heroic efforts were credited with saving more than 200 lives.

These four--Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode, Roman Catholic Priest John Washington, Methodist Minister George Fox, and Reformed Church in America Clark Poling--calmly issued life belts to American servicemen aboard the troop transport after it was torpedoed on February 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.

Inspired by the heroic deeds of these four chaplains, The American Legion each year marks the anniversary of their supreme sacrifice through special services and programs throughout the nation. This annual observance, as part of the Legion’s Service to God and Country program, helps bring new emphasis to the religious aspects of our American heritage and the need for continued adherence to the basic religious concepts upon which America was founded.