FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2023
Douglas County Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Four Chaplains Day
(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe Four Chaplains Day, on Friday, February 3, 2023. For more than seventy years the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has told their story and supported the Legion of Honor Awards program all across America, which publicly recognizes and honors outstanding members of society whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity without regard to race, religion, or creed exemplified so dramatically by the Four Chaplains. A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged, “We recognize that February 3, 2023, marks the eightieth anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport Ship Dorchester by enemy action off the coast of Greenland in the midst of World War II. One this day we honor the four Army chaplains who were on board the Dorchester - Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist Minister from Vermont; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi from Pennsylvania; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest from New Jersey and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed Minister from New York – for rendering services beyond valor, as they stood arm-in-arm leading those on board in prayer, giving away their own lifejackets, as the ship sank into the deep.”
Commissioner Freeman presented proclamation certificates to Douglas County’s Legion of Honor Chapter Co-coordinators, as well as and previous Legion of Honor Recipients from Douglas County. Douglas County Legion of Honor Co-Coordinators - James Little (Retired U.S. Navy) and James Barnett (Retired USMC). Previous Legion of Honor recipients from Douglas County in attendance: Gerald Anderson, Roger Arnold, Commissioner Tim Freeman, Sheriff John Hanlin, David Hopkins, Jim Barnett, Carol Hunt, Neil Hummel, Jim Little, Carmen Little, Mary Newman-Keyes, Lee Paterson, John Pierson, Bob Shelander, Richard Sciapiti, Tammy Turner, Mike Winters and Heidi Wood.
“We so much appreciate you all being here today. We look forward to the days when we have this group of people in our room. As Commissioners we get to deal with a lot of different segments of our population for a lot of different reasons. Without a doubt this is our favorite day. You all are the people that made this country what it is as veterans, and as people who continue to serve in their communities and our country. We are grateful and appreciate you,” commented Commissioner Freeman.
Douglas County Commissioners proclaimed Friday, February 3, 2023, as Four Chaplains Day in Douglas County and encouraged all our citizens to honor the Four Chaplain’s and the memory of those who perished on the Dorchester that day by stepping up and giving back to your communities in service. To learn more about the Legion of Honor and the Chapel of Four Chaplains log onto their website: http://fourchaplains.org/.
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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us
Proclamation Attached. Photos © T.Howell/Douglas County.
