OUR PROGRAMS

On this page:   Chapel of Four ChaplainsLegion of HonorEmergency ChaplainsYouth Scholarships

1. The Chapel of Four Chaplains

Friends of the Chapel of Four Chaplains (The Four Chaplains) is a non-profit organization that advocates for cultural harmony and religious tolerance. It is comprised of community leaders, friends and corporate contributors. It is a 501(c) (3) organization. Donations are tax-deductible under IRS laws.

The Four Chaplains promotes annual memorial services in communities across The U.S. on or near the February anniversary of the sinking of the U.S.A.T. Dorchester to raise awareness of the need for cooperation among all peoples.

The Four Chaplains also advises in developing and constructing public inter-faith memorials and chapels throughout the nation. It provides comprehensive information and visual materials about the proper technique of retelling The Four Chaplains saga.

The regionalization network and the state chaplaincy system are integral components of The Four Chaplains.

Click here to view guide for FOUR CHAPLAINS Memorial Services

The Regionalization Network

Regionalization is a coordinating network of volunteers who are members of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains and represent the organization in all 50 states. Duties include creating awareness of the Four Chaplains legacy, promoting chapel membership, seeking youth applicants for chapel scholarships, recommending Trustees, nominating Legion of Honor candidates and fundraising.

These spokespersons are designated regional directors or state chaplains. A regional director is the primary contact person in one of ten geographic regions across the United States.

Regional breakdown by states:

Regions States Regions States
New England CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT West Central IA, IL, MN, WI
Northeast DE, NJ, NY, PA Mid-South AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX
Mid-Atlantic DC, MD, VA, WV North Plains CO, KS, NE, ND, SD, WY
Southeast AL, FL, GA, NC, SC, TN Northwest AK, ID, MT, OR, WA
East Central IN, KY, MI, OH Southwest AZ, CA, HI, NM,  NV, UT

The State Chaplaincy System

State and associate chaplains are men and women who represent a diversity of religious traditions and serve as community spokespersons. A primary obligation is to retell the saga of the Four Chaplains so that its significance will never be lost.  Another is to suggest Legion of Honor nominees. They also participate in religious or patriotic ceremonies, speak at memorial services and assist with youth outreach. A chaplain may be a clergy person, certified lay speaker, or lay person who serves as a chaplain in a veterans or fraternal organization.

Selection Criteria for Regional Volunteers

Candidates must be members of the Four Chaplains to be considered for regional director, state chaplain or associate chaplain. Nominations are open to any applicant who wishes to serve and agrees to promote the mission of the organization. Documentation of achievements and applicable experience must accompany all recommendations. Applications are reviewed by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.

Email the program coordinator for more details at chapel@fourchaplains.org  

Click Here to view Regional Directors
Click here to view Emergency Chaplains Corps.
Click here to view State Chaplains & Assistants


2. Legion of Honor Programs

medal

The Legion of Honor Award programs publicly recognizes and honors outstanding members of society whose lives model the giving spirit and unconditional service to community, nation, and humanity without regard to race, religion, or creed exemplified so dramatically by the Four Chaplains. To be considered for any of the five awards, the selfless and transformative achievement must be above and beyond that of a professional resume or organizational position.

The Legion of Honor Gold Medallion is the highest and most prestigious award presented. It is given to a person whose leadership has brought his actions to worldwide attention, and whose very life epitomizes the spirit of the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.

The Legion of Honor Bronze Medallion is the second highest award and is granted for extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others at the national or world level, to world peace, or to inter-faith and inter-ethnic understanding.

The Junior Legion of Honor Award is given to young people who have contributed to the improvement of the inter-ethnic and inter-faith harmony in their communities. Their contribution must symbolize the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains to selfless service.

The Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award is given in recognition of a lifetime commitment to selfless service and societal advancement that has demonstrably affected the quality of life in the community, state or nation, service without regard to faith or race. The selection process for this award is rigorous.

The Lifesaving Medallion is rarely awarded and is given to persons who have saved the life of another at grave personal risk.
 
Distinguished recipients of the Legion of Honor Awards have included Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, James Carter, and Ronald Reagan. Notable luminaries who received the award were Bob Hope, John Glenn, Mickey Rooney, Martha Raye, James Michener, Marian Anderson, C. Everett Koop, Tommy Lasorda and Shirley Chisholm as well as deserving military personnel, veterans, and civilians from all walks of life. 

Nominations are accepted for any of these awards from past recipients of the Legion of Honor; church and government leaders; and leaders of civic, fraternal and veteran organization only. All awards must be publicly presented at a Legion of Honor service or as part of an appropriate ceremony which includes the Saga of the Four Chaplains.

For further information, email the Program Coordinator at chapel@fourchaplains.org or download the PDF file of the nominating statement.

Click here for Nominating Statement application.
Click here for Guidelines and Requirements.


3. Emergency Chaplains Corps

The Chapel of Four Chaplains launched the Emergency Chaplains Corps after the tragic events of the Oklahoma City bombing in April 1995. At that time, an evident need to provide organized spiritual and emotional support for the “helpers” (police, firefighters, and EMTs’, SAR plus recovery workers) at disasters led the organization to answer the call to form such a group. Training requirements established that volunteer response teams be skilled in all dimensions of disaster service including triage, first aid, CPR, bereavement counseling and have essential competencies in crisis intervention procedures.

When disaster struck on September 11, 2001, a maximum chaplaincy effort at Ground Zero was organized. The organization recruited, screened and trained a cadre of high-qualified chaplains from all religious faiths. The Four Chaplains team consisted of 46 chaplains, 19 volunteer drivers, 10 social workers/counselors, and 64 lay volunteers. The eight-month collaboration at the World Trade Center site earned accolades including a grant of over $21,000 from the September 11th Fund and a letter of appreciation from New York City’s Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, the organization dispatched a volunteer team to work with victims in New Orleans using the “spiritual triage” model that was employed at Ground Zero.

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation continues to build and strengthen its Emergency Chaplains Corps. For more information about volunteering or donating to this program, please call 215-218-1943 or email chapel@fourchaplains.org



4. Youth Scholarship Programs

studying

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation has sponsored college scholarship contests for graduating seniors in public and private high schools for more than 15 years. Each competition is designed to challenge young people to understand and practice the values of inclusion, cooperation, and unity that were shown by the Four Chaplains. Participating provides a forum for youth to express their views on the benefits of working together in a diverse world.

Winners are selected by the Youth Committee of the Board of Directors and are announced in May. The Four Chaplains sponsors three (3) competitions annually.

Please contact us in December 2012 for further information about this contest.


HOW TO ENTER

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

I  —  NATIONAL ART  Scholarship Contest

THEME
Depict a compelling problem, need or unresolved conflict that through caring intervention demonstrate the high ideals of Unity Without Uniformity

(Suggested topics are racial discrimination, religious intolerance, community injustice, public indifference, civic discord or societal ignorance)

A: Awards:
First Place - $1,000  Second Place - $750 - Third Place - $500

B: Rules and Guidelines:

  1. Capture the spirit of the theme through representational, stylized, or abstract means of expression.
  2. Acceptable media are watercolor, crayon, tempera, collage, pen and ink, and computer art. Artwork must be original and no larger than 24” by 30”. It must be produced on paper that can be duplicated, displayed or framed.
  3. Artwork cannot contain wording, slogans, descriptions, narrative, etc. Artwork that may smudge must be fixed with a non-workable final fixative.
  4. Submissions will be judged on originality, imaginative creativity, and meaning.

 C: Mailing Instructions:
      1. Attach the entry form with tape or other fixative to the artwork. Sandwich the entry between two pieces of cardboard and strap  packing tape around the edges to protect it during shipping. No paper clips.
      2. Each entry must contain the student’s full name, complete address with zip code, telephone number, cell phone, and email address. Each entry must also contain the names of the principal, guidance counselor, along with school name, complete address with zip code, telephone number with area code, fax number with area code and school email address.
      3. Entries will be penalized for missing information.
      4. Mail artwork and entry form to:                                                                          

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
1201 Constitution Avenue
The Navy Yard, Bldg. 649 
Philadelphia, PA 19112-1307

      5. Artwork will be returned only if a self-addressed envelope, box, or other packaging with correct postage is included with the entry.
      6. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry for a list of winners, or check our website for an announcement of winners.

An application is available by downloading the PDF file or by contacting your high school counseling advisor in early September and requesting one. For each entry, a $5 fee must accompany the completed form. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

Reproduction Rights: The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation reserves the right to display, publish or distribute any submission and each becomes the property of the Four Chaplains organization.

Philadelphia Art Contest

This city-wide competition is open to students from kindergarten to 12th grade and is judged by selected art teachers in Philadelphia schools. Awards total $1,000.



Dick Levesque, a marine artist, created this calming image of the USAT Dorchester (background) illustrating the day before the tragedy. The CGC Escanaba (front) rescued the Dorchester survivors.
 
 

 

2006 NATIONAL ART CONTEST

First Place Winnerl
Jamie Lee Harris
AWARD         $1,000

Second Place Winner
Connie Yue
AWARD            $750

Third Place Winner  
Joseph Alzniz         
AWARD            $500


2006 PROJECT LIFESAVER

Lorraine Rapp
Twins Falls High School
TEAM ADVISOR AWARD      $1,000

Jenna Meeks
TEAM LEADER AWARD       $1,000

Sage Watkins
AWARD                                      $750

Clayton Lammers
 AWARD                                     $750

Tiffany McKelvey
AWARD                                     $750

Linda Wells
AWARD                                     $750

Ryan Fauvel
AWARD                                     $750


2006 17TH ANNUAL ESSAY

Jennifer Lynn Crouse
AWARD            $750

Amanda Warren
AWARD            $500

Jermal Lee Mabine
AWARD            $400

Anthony Silecchia
AWARD            $300


2006
Philadelphia, PA  ART WINNERS

First Place Winner      
Laila Kazi
AWARD $500

Second Place Winner
Danny Mak
AWARD $250

Third Place Winners 
Michelle Perez
Christine Tong
AWARD $100
 &n

II - NATIONAL ESSAY Scholarship Contest

THEME
Identify a compelling problem, need or unresolved conflict that through caring intervention can be transformed and corrected.
(Suggested topics are racial discrimination, religious intolerance, community injustice, public indifference,
civic discord or societal ignorance)

A. Awards
First Place - $1,000 Second Place - $750 Third Place - $500 Fourth Place - $400 Fifth Place - $300

B. Rules and Guidelines
     Essay Format
      1.   Write an original essay of 450 words or less on the theme.
      2.   Typed, double-spaced, one-inch margins on each side. The font must be dark enough to be read and photocopied easily.
      3.   Along with a cover page, submissions must be accompanied by two (2) copies of your essay.
      4.   Submissions will be judged on imaginative creativity, correct grammar and spelling, clear, logical presentation and     
            
relevance.

C. Mailing Instructions 
      1.  Date both the entry form and cover page.
      2.  Each entry must contain the student’s full name, complete address with zip code, telephone number, cell phone, and email  
           address. 
      3.  Each entry must also contain the names of the principal, guidance counselor, along with school name, complete address
           with zip code, telephone number with area code, fax number with area code and school email address.
      4.  Entries will be penalized for missing information.
      5.  Mail artwork and entry form to:

The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
1201 Constitution Avenue
The Navy Yard Bldg. 649
Philadelphia, PA 19112-1307

       6.  Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry for a list of winners. Or check our website for an announcement 
            of winners. 

An application is available by downloading the PDF file or by contacting your high school counseling advisor in early September and requesting one. For each entry, a $5 fee must accompany the completed form. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

PDF of Essay Contest Application COMING SOON
Reproduction Rights: The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation reserves the right to display, publish or distribute any submission and each becomes the property of the Four Chaplains organization.
 

III -NATIONAL PROJECT LIFESAVER Scholarship Contest

THEME
Identify a compelling problem, need or unresolved conflict that through caring intervention can be transformed and corrected.
(Suggested topics are racial discrimination, religious intolerance, community injustice, public indifference,
civic discord or societal ignorance)

A. Awards: Faculty Advisor $1,000 Student Leader $1,000 Five Team Members $750 each

B.  Rules and Guidelines
     1.   A team of 6 students will complete an original project on the theme. The project cannot be an existing school activity.
     2.   The team will be composed of a group leader and five other students. A faculty advisor shall coordinate the project.
     3.   Community members should be encouraged to participate.
     4.   Submit a typed, 3-5 page project description, double-spaced, with one-inch margins on each side.
     5.   Include any attachments (photographs, flyers, videos, CDs, etc.)
     6.   A notarized affidavit from the Faculty Advisor authenticating the project’s completion must be submitted. Only one project per
           school will be accepted.
     7.   Submissions will be judged on: originality and creativity, community impact and involvement, organizational skills, correct     
            spelling and grammar including relevance.

C. Mailing Instructions
  spelling and grammar including relevance.
      1.   Date both the entry form and cover page.
      2.   Each entry must contain the student’s full name, complete address with zip code, telephone number, cell phone, and email
            address. 
      3.   Each entry must also contain the names of the principal, guidance counselor, along with school name, complete 
            address with zip code, telephone number with area code, fax number with area code and school email address.
      4.   Entries will be penalized for missing information.
      5.   Mail artwork and entry form to:
                                                                                   The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
                                                                                                 1201 Constitution Avenue
                                                                                                  The Navy Yard Bldg. 649 
                                                                                              Philadelphia, PA 19112-1307

       6.   Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your entry for a list of winners. Or check our website for an  
             announcement of winners.

An application is available by downloading the PDF file or by contacting your high school counseling advisor in early September and requesting one. For each entry, a $5 fee must accompany the completed form. Incomplete entries will be disqualified.

PDF of PROJECT LIFESAVER Contest Application COMING SOON
Reproduction Rights: The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation reserves the right to display, publish or distribute any submission and each becomes the property of the Four Chaplains organization.

Copyright © 2007-2008 The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
1201 Constitution Avenue, The Navy Yard, Bldg. 649
Philadelphia, PA  19112-1307
215-218-1943 «» Chapel@fourchaplains.org