Sharon Springs honored its veterans—both those near and those far away—Friday with fellowship, food, and a Four Chaplains service conducted by members of the Sharon Springs American Legion.
Sharon’s senior citizens hosted the patriotic event at the fire house, recognizing veterans in the crowd and then honoring George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington, the four United States Army chaplains who died when the SS Dorchester sank on February 3, 1943 during World War II.
Legionnaire Frank Masterson offered the history of the Four Chaplains; the men are credited with giving up their own lifejackets when the supply went out, saving other civilian and military personnel.
“The chaplains joined arms, said prayers, and sang hymns as they went down with the ship,” Mr. Masterson recounted.
Offering other remarks and lighting candles in the chaplains’ honor behind portraits of the four men in addition to Mr. Masterson were fellow Legionnaires Bob Barr, Tony Desmond, and Paul Todd.

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Other Veteran’s Day celebrations and events in local schools and communities are in this week’s print edition, also available online.