Yorktown veterans will join with “Living History” students from Mildred Strang Middle School and residents of Yorktown at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Yorktown American Legion Hall at 235 Veterans Road in Yorktown Heights to celebrate the annual Chapel of the Four Chaplains ceremony.

This annual ceremony honors four U.S. Army chaplains who were aboard the U.S. troopship, Dorchester, in February 1943 when it was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic.  These chaplains of different faiths handed out life vests and calmed the soldiers aboard their dying ship.  When the chaplains ran out of life vests to hand out, they gave up their own life vests to save others.  Their bravery was an inspiration to all who survived the sinking and all who heard of it.  These Americans are remembered at this ceremony for their bravery and their interfaith cooperation in helping their fellow soldiers in their greatest time of need.

Each year numerous “Living History’ students in their colonial militia uniforms with their teacher, Chris DiPasquale, open the ceremony with the formal presentation of the nation’s colors. Four prominent local clergy members are part of the ceremony: Mother Claire Woodley of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Mohegan Lake; Rabbi Robert Weiner of Temple Beth Am in Yorktown Heights; Pastor Dan O’Brien of Calvary Bible Church in Yorktown Heights; and the Rev. Thomas Kreiser from St Patrick’s Church in Yorktown.

Light refreshments will be served at the post hall after the ceremony.  All veterans and members of the public are invited to attend this free event.

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