Home » Home » WATCH: Ceremony at Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Honors Sacrifice of the Immortal Four Chaplains

WATCH: Ceremony at Brevard Veterans Memorial Center Honors Sacrifice of the Immortal Four Chaplains

By  //  February 12, 2026

Supported by Brevard County Detachment 513 - Marine Corps League

WATCH: On Sunday, February 8, the “Immortal Four Chaplains Ceremony” was held at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island. This annual ceremony is one of the more solemn events. Chaplain Chip Hanson was the master of ceremonies and did an excellent job. The Brevard County Detachment 513 – Marine Corps League did a masterful job presenting the colors. They also played a large part in the ceremony.

Annual ceremony commemorates the WWII heroes who gave their lives aboard the USAT Dorchester

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On Sunday, February 8, the “Immortal Four Chaplains Ceremony” was held at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center in Merritt Island.

This annual ceremony is one of the more solemn events. Service Officer Chaplain Chip Hanson, “Pastor of American Veterans,” was the master of ceremonies and did an outstanding job.

The Brevard County Detachment 513 of the Marine Corps League did a masterful job presenting the colors, ringing the bell, and playing Taps.

The “Immortal Chaplains,” George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington, each sacrificed their lives on February 3, 1943, to save others. They were aboard the USAT Dorchester when it sank, in what has been described as one of the worst sea disasters of WWII.

The Immortal Four Chaplains pictured (starting upper left, clockwise), George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, John P. Washington, and Clark V. Poling, all perished while aboard the USAT Dorchester on February 3, 1943.

The Dorchester, a civilian ship, had been converted into a troop transport. More than 900 troops were aboard when it was struck by a German torpedo.

The four chaplains helped men get to their lifeboats and then gave up their life preservers when none remained. It was reported that the four chaplains linked arms and sang hymns as the Dorchester sank.

Each of the four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart.

They were nominated for the Medal of Honor but were ineligible because they had not engaged the enemy in combat. In lieu of the Medal of Honor, Congress created a medal for each of the chaplains to honor their strength and courage.

Lighting a candle for each chaplain was Heather Betz (pictured). Betz is an associate member of the Detachment. She is also a three-time Associate of the Year and was recently presented with the Tunnel to Tower Award.

Each of the chaplains held the rank of first lieutenant. Their denominations were all different – Fox was a Methodist minister, Goode was a Jewish Rabbi, Poling was a Reformed Church in America minister, and Washington was a Catholic priest.

Although they were of different faiths, there were similarities. They were each leaders in the Boy Scouts of America. All four were in the U.S Army. In fact, they met at the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University.

They served together, and they died together.

Thank you, Brevard Veterans Memorial Center and the Brevard County Detachment 513 – Marine Corps League for not allowing us to forget these brave heroes.

(Left to Right) Brevard County Detachment 513 – Marine Corps Brevard League members Rick Bedford, Chuck Betz, Vinnie Howard, and John Kayda were a major part of the Four Chaplains Ceremony held at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Not pictured are Marines Dennis Herrin (bell ringer) and Bob Doyle (bugler).
Service Officer Chaplain Chip Hanson, “Pastor of American Veterans,” (pictured) was the master of ceremonies for the Immortal Four Chaplains Ceremony held at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.