"Not for my safe return, that wouldn't be fair. Just pray that I shall do my duty...never be a coward...and have the strength, courage and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate."
~ Chaplain Poling to his father before board the Dorchester
Today marks the 75th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Dorchester, an American military transport ship. Six hundred and seventy-five people died that fatal morning. Among them were four Army chaplains - George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington. In the moments of terror that followed the torpedo strike, the Four Chaplains selflessly gave their life vests to four soldiers. This action was a choice to die. Over 40 eyewitnesses confirm that, after sealing their own fate of death, the Four Chaplains linked arms, sang hymns and offered prayers in their own faith tradition as the ship sank into the frigid waters. The Four Chaplains, each of different faith traditions, gave their lives in the hope that four others might live.
These Four Chaplains became immortal heroes that cold night. They became chaplains because they believed they were called to serve and love Soldiers. They fulfilled that mission with a valor and strength that leaves me personally inspired and in awe.
Learning this story had made me ponder some things. Where we are today is because of the people who have come before us. When we take titles or positions, we take them with the history that they bear. Those history's become a part of our story or rather, we become a part of their story. We become fruit of their labors.
The Four Chaplains knew their identity. They knew their call and they knew the sacrifice they were making. I wonder if they knew their story would live on for generations to come? I wonder if they realized the lasting legacy they would be leaving for every chaplain who would come behind? Sometimes we never see the fruit of our labor, but good or bad, it is always there. We all produce fruit of some sort. Our choices and decisions impact not only ourselves and those around us, but they go on for generations. Our stories are not our own, but are instead a part of a story that transcends time and space.
