On Wednesday, December 17, 2008, the Chapel of Four Chaplains award was presented to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller (center) at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC by Bron R. Mogenis (right), retired FBI Special Agent (member of American Legion Post #56), Vice Commander of the District of Columbia Department of the AL, and Trustee of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. 

The award presentation was witnessed by the Bureau photographer, Director's Administrative Assistant, and Paul H. Hasz (left), also a member of American Legion Post #56 and DC Department AL NEC Officer.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, students from Holy Family University of Philadelphia, PA, conducted a bake sale on behalf of The Chapel of Four Chaplains.   Presenters of the proceeds from the bake sale were: Brittany McSorely, Kristen English, Catherine Snyder, and Danae Senft. A check in the amount $147 was presented to Viola Bostic (center), Executive Director of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation who gratefully accepted the donation.

[Click to Enlarge]

The historic "Chapel of Four Chaplains" will honor with the "Gold Medallion of the Legion of Honor"

Mr. PETER NERO
artistic director and conductor of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops

at the HILTON PHILADELPHIA CITY AVENUE
4200 City Avenue -Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT
for more information: Phone: 215-218-1943 or 1-866-400-0975, or
E-Mail: info@fourchaplains.org

The historic "Chapel of Four Chaplains" has honored two recently with the "Bronze Medallion of the Legion of Honor"

 
 
Major David B. Sandvold, USMC
was honored on November 18, 2008
at the National Headquarters of the American Legion
in Washington, DC
 
 [more photos]

Walter Walsh, 101 years young,
oldest living retired FBI Special Agent,
and retired US Marine Corps Colonel,
was honored on September 16, 2008
at the J. Edgar Hoover memorial Post of the
American Legion in Burke, VA.
 
 [more photos]

The Capital City-West Shore Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and The Chapel of Four Chaplains presented the following awards:

BRONZE MEDALLION OF THE LEGION OF HONOR
to Adrian "Good Morning America" Cronauer and H. Robert Davis, MD

HUMANITARIAN OF THE CHAPEL to Michael Cassidy and Jane Cassidy

LEGION OF HONOR OF THE CHAPEL to 1SG Bill Martin, USA Retired, Carol White, and Madeline Stahl

Ceremonies at 1030 am, Sunday, August 17, 2008 with Brunch and Reception following at the Letort Community Club, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Contact: Larry Babitts at 717-241-6117 or LGBabbits1962@Embarqmail.com

On 22 June 2008, A Four Chaplains award ceremony was held in Mechanicsburg, PA to recognize 22 members from the XGI Fraternity and XGI Alumni of Penn State University. There were approximately 125 guests in attendance.
From left-to-right are Bronze Medallion recipients: PA State Rep Jerry Nailor (received Bronze on 10 Sep 2007 in Philadelphia), Dave Kurtz, XGI President and Bronze Medallion recipient, James Sauve Bronze Medallion recipient, Colonel (Ret.) John Ent, Bronze Medallion recipient, and Robert O. Baker, Chapel Trustee and  past recipient of the Bronze Medallion. 

On 21 June 2008, Chapel of Four Chaplains Legion of Honor Induction Ceremony was held at the Department of New Jersey, Marine Corps League Annual Convention.

From left-to-right are Michael Alu, Emma Asetta, Thomas Cunningham, Jane Cosco, Robert Kovacs and Peter Abramchak. 

The American Legion National Convention and 48th Annual Washington Conference was held on 1 April 2008 at the Renaissance Washington Hotel.  Robert O. Baker - Chapel Trustee, Viola Bostic - Executive Director, and Bron Mogenis attended the American Legion (2.8 million members, the world's largest veterans organization) Washington D.C. Conference.  The Chapel of Four Chaplains Awards Program, inducted the National Commander of the American Legion, Martin F. Conatser with the Gold Medallion Award.  The five Vice-Commanders of the American Legion received the Bronze Medallion; the Vice-Commanders inducted were: David A. Korth, Randall Allen Fisher, Peggy G. Dettori, Thomas L. Burns, and Donald J. Hayden. Lou Dobbs (CNN) will receive his award in June.
Also in attendance at the conference were: Pete Geren - Sec. of the Army, Nancy Pelosi (CA) - Speaker of the House, John A. Bohner, (OH) - House of Rep., Richard Burr-Ranking - member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Chet Edwards (TX) - House of Rep., James B. Peake - Secretary of the Veterans Administration, and General Zanetti - Commanding Gen. Guantanamo Task Force.  [more photos]

Many organizations have recently held Interfaith Memorial Services to commemorate the legacy of the Four Chaplains - the enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage, and selflessness.

The segments below provide more information about a few of the services.

February 23rd, Oahu Veterans Council at the Punch Bowl, Honolulu, HI

February 16th, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16, Cleveland, GA

More than 100 people attended The Four Chaplains service at Mt. Yonah Baptist Church commemorating the saga of four men who gave their life jackets so others would live.  The service was filled with patriotic hymns and a tribute to the four chaplains who died when the transport ship, the USAT Dorchester, was sunk after being torpedoed on Feb. 3, 1943, 65 years ago.  Gen. Russ Weiskircher recounted that amid the terror and confusion, the four US Army chaplains went about their duties comforting the men and helping them into lifeboats.

February 3rd, Veterans Council, Sebastian, FL, led by Dorchester survivor Ernie Heaton

Ernest L. Heaton (center), USS Dorchester Survivor, receives the Legion of Honor Gold Medallion award from Wendy R. Levine Gross with Senator Michael Haridopolis looking on. Ernie was thrilled to received the medal and certificate saying that it was the greatest day of his life. The ceremony took place as part of the Four Chaplains Interfaith Memorial Service held on Sunday, February 3, 2008 at the Saint Sebastian Catholic Church in Sebastian, FL.

February 2nd, Texas Independence Trail Region, Schulenburg, TX

The Second Annual Chapel of Four Chaplains Memorial Ceremony of the Texas Independence Trail Region was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in High Hill.  In honor of four heroic World War II chaplains, who died aboard the USAT Dorchester 65 years ago, the ceremony recognizes veterans for selfless volunteer service to their community.  A total of 41 awards were given.  The highest award bestowed, the Gold Medallion, was presented to Colonel Mykle E. Stahl of San Antonio for outstanding contributions to the well-being of others on the national or international level, to world peace, or to interfaith and interethnic understanding. [more photos]

February 2nd, Summit County Council American Legion, Akron, OH, Laura Dunlap, Adjutant

The January 28, 2008 issue of the Waukesha Freeman reported the story of the guest speaker at the annual Boy Scouts of America's Southern Trails District Recognition Dinner. Leonard Ponath was only 17 years old when he joined the U.S. Army. He was 23 when he came close to death. Ponath was a sergeant aboard the Dorchester, once a luxury cruise ship, now transporting troops to Greenland during World War II. He is one of 230 people who survived the sinking of the USAT Dorchester on February 3, 1943. At 87 years old, today he is among 19 remaining survivors.

[read the full story]

at the
SHERATON HOTEL
17th & Race Streets -Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
the historic "Chapel of Four Chaplains" will honor
Screen, Radio, Stage, TV Star, and World War II Veteran
MICKEY ROONEY
with the "Gold Medallion of the Legion of Honor"
Reception: 5:30pm Dinner: 6:30pm
Corporate Sponsor Packages Available
Organization Tables - Seating up to 10 Guests - Available
$100 per Guest
Other award recipients include:
Derek C. Hathaway - Philanthropist
Bill George - President, Pennsylvania AFL/CIO

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THIS SPECIAL EVENT
(Reservations Required)
Phone: 215-218-1943 or 1-866-400-0975
E-Mail: info@fourchaplains.org