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OUR PROGRAMS
1. The Chapel of Four Chaplains
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The Chapel of Four Chaplains (The Four
Chaplains) is a not-for profit Membership organization that advocates for
cultural harmony and religious tolerance. It is comprised of community leaders, friends
and corporate contributors who pay annual dues. 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 Chaplainssaga.
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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
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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
pmaversa@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
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 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.
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 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.
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, 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 organizations
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
pmaversa@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 Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation
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 Foundation 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 Foundation 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
Foundation 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
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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. |
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Please contact us in September 2008 for further information
about this contest. |
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HOW TO ENTER |
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS |
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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:
- Capture the spirit of the theme through representational,
stylized, or abstract means of expression.
- 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.
- Artwork cannot contain wording, slogans, descriptions,
narrative, etc. Artwork that may smudge must be fixed with a non-workable final
fixative.
- 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.
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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
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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.
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