ROGERS — The annual Four Chaplains memorial service hosted by American Legion post of Rogers will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.
The service honors military chaplains and the freedom of religion guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, according to a news release.
The four chaplains were young men who met at chaplain school and died together after the USAT Dorchester was torpedoed by a German submarine during a trans-Atlantic crossing.
The four were Rabbi Alexander B. Goode; the Rev. George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; the Rev. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; and Father John P. Washington, a Catholic priest.
After the Dorchester was hit, witnesses recounted the chaplains handing out life preservers before giving their own to other passengers. As the ship went down, the four were seen standing, arms linked, singing and praying, according to the website www.homeofheroes.com.
The service is open to the public and refreshments will be served. The church is at 1416 W. Poplar.