Betty Blair's April 2009 Bulletin Board
Betty Blair, Lorain County Commissioner

Four Chaplains Memorial Stamp

April 1, 2009 -- FOUR CHAPLAINS - At the February 12th meeting of the Lorain County Board of Commissioners, representatives of the American Legion Post #118, Jack McNauton, Trustee, Sally Cornwell, Ladies Auxiliary and Tom Hauck, Commander, gave a presentation on the Four Chaplains.

The Four Chaplains were assigned to the USAT Dorchester during World War II and gave their lives to save other soldiers during the sinking of the Dorchester. They helped other soldier's board lifeboats and gave up their own life jackets when the supply ran out. 230 of the 904 men aboard the ship were rescued.

The Chaplains, who all held the rank of Lieutenant, were: Methodist Reverend George L. Fox; Jewish Rabbi Alexander D. Goode; Roman Catholic Priest, John P. Washington and Reformed Church in America, Reverend Clark V. Poling. They were sailing on the Dorchester troop transport on February 3, 1943, when the vessel, traveling in convoy, was torpedoed by the German submarine U-223 in the North Atlantic. As the vessel sank, the Four Chaplains calmed the frightened soldiers and sailors, aided in the evacuation of the ship, and helped guide wounded men to safety.

The Four Chaplains were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross on December 19, 1944. The Chaplain's Medal for Heroism was authorized in 1961 and posthumously presented by the President of the United States to the families of the Chaplains.

The Chaplains were also honored with a stamp, issued in 1948, and by an Act of Congress designating February 3rd as "Four Chaplains Day."

At the February 19th Commissioners meeting, Ronald T. Fradley of W. 33rd St., Lorain, presented each of the Commissioners with a FIRST DAY ISSUE of the 3 cent stamp: "These Immortal Chaplains." together with the envelope entitled "FOUR CHAPLAINS MEMORIAL - UNITY IN BROTHERHOOD - THREE FAITHS- ONE GOD - showing their pictures."

What an awesome treasure to share, Ronald Fradley. Thank you so very much!

LORAIN COUNTY TRANSPORTATION DAY

The Lorain County Community Alliance will again host Transportation Day on Friday, April 3rd at the Lorain County Administration Building, Elyria, beginning with a networking session at 9 a.m. The formal presentations will begin at 9:15 a.m. and will include information from the Federal, State, and County level on projects for 2009.

AN OLD FARMER'S ADVICE

"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment."
"The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'."
"The best sermons are lived, not preached."