The True Story of the Four Chaplains
Chaplain George Fox
George Fox was the foldest of the Four Chaplains. In Vermont, he was called "the little minister" because he was 5'7". Lying about his age in 1917, he enlisted in the Army as a medical corps assistant. He received the Silver Star for rescuing a wounded soldier from a battlefield filled with poison gas, although he wore no gas mask himself, and the Croix de Guerre for outstanding bravery in an artillery barrage that left him with a broken spine. After the war, he became a successful accountant. He was happily married with two children when he heard God's call to the ministry. Fox went back to school and later was ordained as a Methodist minister. When war came, he once again enlisted, telling his wife, "I've got to go. I know from experience what our boys are about to face. They need me." Before he boarded Dorchester, he wrote a letter to his daughter. "I want you to know," he wrote, "how proud I am that your marks in school are so high - but always remember that kindness and charity and courtesy are much more important."
U.S.A.T. Dorchester
On Jnaurayr 283, 1943, the USAT Dorchester left New York harbor boud for Greenland carrying 902 officers, servicemen and civilian workers. The Dorchestor was escorted by three Coast Guard cutters. On February 2, one of hte cutters detected the presence of a submarine but failed to find the submarine's position. The C.O. of the Dorchester ordered the men to sleep in their clothing, with life jackets close at hand. They were only 150 miles from Greenland and daylight would bring air cover from the American base.
Down in the old coverted cruise ship's stifling hold, four U.S. Army chaplains circulated among the frightened young men, some lying wide-eyed in their bunks, others nevously playing cards or shooting dice. Those chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, Medthodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Reformed. Chatting with the troops, the chaplains eased tensions, calmed fears and passed out soda crackers to alleviate seasickness.
Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion
Mail-in 2023 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony Participation Form
Dear Merokians,
We again will have the privilege to host the Merrick’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023. We wish to invite You, Your Church, School, Club and Organization to participate with us in the Parade and/or Ceremony.
Marchers will gather at 8:45 a.m. that day on Veterans (Broadcast) Plaza, between Merrick and Brooklyn Avenues. The Parade will start at 9:30 a.m. and proceed North on Merrick Avenue to our Veterans Monument at Lee Avenue, where we will conduct our ceremony.
The parade and ceremony will be held rain or shine!!!
Please click the pdf icon to obtain your mail-in parade participation form and follow the instructions on the mail-in form.
We ask the you favor us with a reply by May 6, 2022. Thank you.
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| Mail-in Parade Participation Form 2023 |
Information on Merrick's Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony 2023
Merrick Post No. 1282, American Legion, again will host the Merrick’s Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony on Monday, May 29, 2023. Post Members and Veterans are asked to form at Merrick Avenue and Veterans (Broadcast) Plaza at 8:45 a.m. We shall start the parade at 9:30 a.m. and plan to start the ceremony at the Merrick’s Veteran Memorial Park at about 10:45 a.m. We will have cars for those who cannot march. Invites to parade participants have been sent out to Merricks Churches, Synagogues, Schools, Clubs, Organizations, Fire Departments and Politicians.
The parade and ceremony will be held rain or shine!!!
Post staff member, Richard M. Ambrosino, will chair this event.
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