Ranger – American Legion Post 96 and Ranger Elementary/Middle School will present the Four Chaplains program at 8 a.m. Monday in the school’s gymnasium.
Everyone is invited to attend.
Last year was the first year the organization worked with the school and students for the program. Post chaplain J.D. Baker said there would only be small changes this year.
“It turned out so good,” he said.
Each year, American Legion posts share the story of the Four Chaplains. The program details the sacrifice of Lt. George L. Fox, Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Lt. John P. Washington and Lt. Clark V. Poling.
The men, chaplains of different faiths, helped save the lives of 203 soldiers when the USAT Dorchester was hit by a German submarine’s torpedo on Feb. 3, 1943.
Josh Griggs, music director at Ranger, believes the actions of the chaplains on that day is the “one of the proudest moments in our country.” He is happy to coordinate with the American Legion on the program.
“We want to show these kids who our heroes really are,” he said.
Griggs has done more research on the chaplains since last year, changing the program slightly as a result. This year, the entire school will sing “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” the same song the chaplains sang as they linked arms while the ship sank.
The program will once again feature four eighth-grade students who exemplify the qualities of the chaplains sharing their story, as well as middle school girls helping with the ceremony.
“What we hope to achieve is have students stop and think what it means to be courageous, to be brave, and what it takes to put others forward,” Griggs said.
Four Chaplains program returning to Ranger school
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