Four Chaplains Ceremony

The American Legion Post 166, St. Simons Island, Ga. will be conducting the Four Chaplains Ceremony which will be held on February 3, 2026@ 6:30 pm at our Post. This memorial is an annual event throughout the American Legion but it’s the first for our area. We are honoring the chaplains who were on the ship USS Dorchester which was sunk by a German torpedo on February 3, 1943. These men gave up their life vests and perished in a hope to save the lives of four sailors. The chaplains locked arms and sang praises to God as they drowned. More details are found on Wikipedia. The order of service is: The welcome will be given by the Post Adjutant, George Ellis and an introduction video of the Four Chaplains Story (found on YouTube) will play. An
Honor Guard will post the colors, the National Anthem will be sung by Timothy Bernal. There will be a table with pictures and a candle for each of the four chaplains. We have four speakers who will light the corresponding candle, read the biography of their respective Chaplain then speak a few words. The first will be General Robert Magnus representing Temple Beth Tefilloh, Brunswick, Deacon Trey Hayden of St. William Catholic Church, St. Simons Island will follow, then Rev. Jay Hanson of The Chapel, Brunswick and last will be Rev. Chris Oglesby of Northside Baptist Church, Brunswick. I will close and the colors will be retired, then dismissed with Taps played by Evan Ratliff. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Thank you so much for your willingness to help us make this event a huge success. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me via email or call me, 912.571.0920. May God continue His blessings on you.
Respectfully,
Dennis Bernal
Chaplain
Post 166