The American Legion Post 164 family, along with The Four Chaplains Foundation, held the fifth annual ceremony of “The Chapel of the Four Chaplains” on February 7 at Venture Christian Church, 5425 Morton Road in Katy.

The solemn service commemorates the sacrifice of four Navy chaplains who lost their lives on February 3, 1943, after the US Army Transport Dorchester sunk in the icy waters off the coast of Greenland. Following a torpedo strike from an enemy submarine, the ship’s boiler room exploded, and the vessel began to take on water. Although many were killed instantly, sailors scrambled to escape in overcrowded lifeboats. The four chaplains aboard – Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, George L. Fox and John P. Washington, each of different faiths -- calmed the men and organized an orderly evacuation, even giving up their own life jackets as supplies ran out. The chaplains went down with the ship.

During the ceremony which reflects on the unity of all faiths, the biography of each chaplain was read by local religious leaders, including Reverand Marlin Fenn of the First United Methodist Church, Rabbie David Lipper of Temple Sinai, Past Chad McElveen of St. Peters United Methodist Church and Revend Pedro Lara of the Church of the Holy Apostles.

To honor the sacrifice of the four chaplains, the Legion of Honor program was created, explained Mark Oldmixon of the Four Chaplains Foundation. Oldmixon presented the “Chapel of Four Chaplains” award to two area recipients in honor of their contributions to the community. Lt. Aaron Brown of the Harris County Sheriff's Office was recognized for his successful resolution of an hours-long situation involving a mentally-ill woman, and Jack Crawford of Crosby was honored for his contribution of more than 21,000 volunteer hours to the VA Medical Center.