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The Four Chaplains (this story appears on the Civitan International website) 
"On February 3, 1943, the USS Dorchester was pushing through the treacherous waters of the North Atlantic. With 905 American servicemen aboard, the Dorchester left its convoy a few hours short of its destination. A German submarine, stalking the ship undetected, took this opportunity to fire a torpedo straight toward the ship's stern. The torpedo struck amid ships and exploded in the boiler room. Many on board died instantly, and some were trapped below deck. Others, jolted from their bunks, half asleep, clambered to reach the decks of the stricken vessel. The ship, taking on water rapidly, began listing to starboard. Because security reasons prevented use of distress flares, escort vessels, still close enough to assist, pushed on into the darkness, unaware that the Dorchester was sinking. Overcrowded lifeboats capsized; rafts drifted away before anyone could reach them.
On deck, amid confusion and terror, Army Chaplains George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling and John P. Washington moved about calming frightened men, directing bewildered soldiers to lifeboats, and distributing life jackets with calm precision. Soon, the supply of jackets was exhausted, yet four young soldiers, afraid and without life vests, stood waiting. Quickly the chaplains stripped off their own and forced them upon the young soldiers.
The four men of God (one Catholic, one Jewish and two Protestant) had given away their only means of saving themselves in order to save others. Men rowing away from the sinking ship in lifeboats saw the chaplains clinging to each other on the slanting deck, arms linked together and heads bowed as they prayed to the one God whom each of them loved and served. The Dorchester sank beneath the icy waters of the North Atlantic, carrying with it the four chaplains and 675 servicemen.
It is this moment which Civitans annually pause to remember, and in so doing, pause to say thank you to the clergy of their communities." Service photos of the Chaplains appear below, from right to left: LT. George L. Fox, LT. Alex D. Goode, LT. Clark V. Poling, and LT. J. P. Washington.    
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The Tampa Metro Civitan club proudly honors "The Four Chaplains", their sacrifice at sea, and the lessons they remind of us each day. With our fellow Civitans, we invite everyone to celebrate our diversity and remember our common bonds: our faith -- every faith, our fellowsihp, and our humanity.
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Past Events We held a joint meeting with the Clearwater Civitan Club to honor the clergy. The meeting was at Antonio's Pasta Grille on February 4, 2008, at 6:30 p.m.
Frank Kelley invited Chaplain (Lt. Colonel) Linda Pugsley as our guest speaker. Two other clergy members from our community were in attendence: Fr. Michael Cooper and Bob Wiley. Our Florida District Governor, Jean T. Smith, told the story of "The Four Chaplains" who gave their lives so that other could live. Temple Terrace Mayor, Joe Affronti, made a suprise visit and presented our club with a copy of the City of Temple Terrace Proclaimation honoring Clergy Appreciation Week. Our club also received copies of Clergy Appreciation Week Proclaimations from the City of Tampa and the City of Clearwater. Thanks to all who please and participated in this special event.
Proclamations appear below:   
Photos from the meeting appear below:  
1) Chaplain Lt. Col. Linda J. Pugsley with Civitan Florida District Governor, Jean T. Smith, and Tampa Metro Civitan President-elect, Steve Steenberge, at the February 4th meeting. 2) Frank Kelley and Steve Steenberge present our speaker, Chaplain Lt. Col. Linda J. Pugsley, with a Civitan Clergy Appreciation Week Certificate at the Tampa Metro and Clearwater joint club meeting to honor the clergy February 4th. |
