Chaplains’ story told here

Pike County American Legion Post 197 will present the ‘Four Chaplains’ program Saturday, Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. at Pike Assembly of God Church at 4990 Highway 19, just 3.5 miles south of Zebulon. ***************©The Pike County Journal Reporter/pikecountygeorgia.com: This information may not be reprinted, broadcast or distributed electronically in any form or fashion without express consent. For reprint permission, e-mail news@pikecountygeorgia.com.***************’We will tell the true story of four chaplains ‘“ two were protestants, one was Catholic and one was Jewish ‘“ who were on board a ship that was torpedoed in the middle of the night,’ said Post 197 chaplain Ben Maxedon. ‘There were a little more than 900 people on board. The four chaplains did everything they could to save as many people as they could, giving up their life jackets, getting men in life boats and praying for them all. It was just a very unselfish service and it’s a unique story that is well worth being retold.’The four U.S. Army chaplains gave their lives to save others during the sinking of the troop ship Dorchester during World War II. They all held the rank of lieutenant and it is reported as the ship went under, they joined arms and prayed together. Of the 904 men aboard the ship, only 230 were rescued. ’This is a moving patriotic and spiritual program about the sacrifices of four Army chaplains during WWII and everyone is invited to attend,’ Maxedon said. ‘This is the first time Post 197 has done this program, but this is an annual event for many American Legion posts throughout the country. Hopefully, if the event goes well, it will be an annual event here too.’