On Feb. 4, American Legion Post 1711 hosted a service to commemorate the memory of the four chaplains who were killed when their ship was torpedoed during World War II. The service, held at the Levittown Community Church, marked the 44th anniversary of the sinking.

"The story of these men is remarkable," said Legislator Dennis Dunne who attended the service. "The bravery they showed while facing certain death is a story that should be told again and again."

On the morning of Feb. 3, 1943, a torpedo fired by German U-boat U-223 hit the USAT Dorchester. Reverend George L. Fox, Rabbi Alexander R. Goode, Reverend Clarke V. Polling and Father John P. Washington were the four chaplains aboard the ship. As the ship sank, the four chaplains helped to calm the frightened sailors and handed out lifejackets. When there were no more lifejackets to be given out, the four men gave their life jackets to other sailors. Over 200 sailors were saved from the sinking vessel from which 600 were lost. When last seen, the four chaplains were seen with their arms locked in prayer to the one God they all served.

The service began with the Posting of Colors and an invocation by Levittown Community Church Pastor Dr. Joseph L. Cusack. The Pledge of Allegiance then followed, along with the playing of America the Beautiful by concert pianist Marianela Santurio, who has performed in Carnegie Hall. Four present day clergymen then spoke briefly about each of the four chaplains' bravery and character.

Reverend Paul Furniss spoke about Reverend George L. Fox and how he had been awarded the Silver Star for saving a wounded soldier from poison gas while not wearing a gas mask himself. Reverend Furniss also spoke about a letter that Chaplain Fox had written to his daughter shortly prior to the sinking. In that letter, Chaplain Fox told his daughter that he was happy to hear about her good grades but that she "should always remember that kindness, charity and courtesy are much more important."

Rabbi Stanley Dreifuss spoke about the memory of Rabbi Alexander Goode and how Rabbi Goode had grown up in Washington D.C., excelled in tennis, swimming and track and then married his childhood sweetheart. He also spoke of how Rabbi Goode had earned a medical degree from Johns Hopkins because "he felt he could better heal men's souls if he could heal their bodies as well."

Dr. Joseph L. Cusack is the pastor of Levittown Community Church. He talked about the bravery of Reverend Clarke V. Polling. Dr. Cusack spoke about Reverend Polling's decision to join the military when World War II began because "he wouldn't hide behind a church." This was despite his father's warnings that chaplains have the highest mortality rate in war, as they do not carry weapons.

Father Gerard Ringenback spoke about how Father John P. Washington had come from an Irish immigrant family and had spent his life laughing, singing and praying. Father Ringenback said, "As the ship was sinking, he was still laughing, singing and praying to comfort those who could not reach the lifeboats."

Following each clergyman's talk, a lifejacket was symbolically placed on a Boy Scout. Three of the four chaplains had been members of the Boy Scouts or a Boy Scout Leader. Attending from Boy Scout Troop 310 were Chris Scarallo, Robert Barbaro, Dan Cangelosi and Ryan Nolan.

Also attending the service was Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes. Said Hudes, "We are honored to have this gathering in Levittown. It is appropriate because this community was founded on the dedication and service of veterans who fought for freedom. The story of the four chaplains is typical of the heroism of veterans then and those soldiers fighting today all over the world."

American Legion members from throughout Nassau County attended the service. Frank Colon, 2nd Division Commander of the Nassau County American Legion, said, "All of our functions are open to the public to teach young people the heritage of our country and to pass it on from generation to generation."

A stained glass window with the likeness of the four chaplains is located in the A Ring on the third floor of the Pentagon. There is also a plaque in their memory located in Belmont Park behind the clubhouse near the racing secretary's office.