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News Release

01-28-26 Commissioners Issue Four Chaplains Day Proclamation (Photo) - 01/28/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2026

 

Commissioners Issue Four Chaplains Day Proclamation

 

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe Four Chaplains Day, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.  For more than seventy years the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has told their story and supported the Legion of Honor Awards program all across America, which 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.  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged, “We recognize that February 3, 2025, marks the eighty-second anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport Ship Dorchester by enemy action off the coast of Greenland amid World War II.  On this day we honor the four Army chaplains who were on board the Dorchester - Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist Minister from Vermont; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi from Pennsylvania; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest from New Jersey and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed Minister from New York – for rendering services beyond valor, as they stood arm-in-arm leading those on board in prayer, giving away their own life jackets, as the ship sank into the deep.” 

 

Commissioner Freeman presented proclamation certificates to Douglas County’s Legion of Honor Chapter Coordinators, as well as previous Legion of Honor Recipients from Douglas County.  Douglas County Legion of Honor Chapter Coordinators: James Little (Retired U.S. Navy), James Barnett (Retired USMC), and Dan Loomis (Retired US Army).  Previous Legion of Honor recipients from Douglas County in attendance included: Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Chris Boice, Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Richard Sciapiti, Dan Loomis, David Hopkins, Neil Hummel, Jim Barnett, Jim Little, Jerry Anderson, Ronald Dukes, Mary Newman, Carol Hunt, Kimberly Turner, Steve Bennett, Mike Eakin, Tamara Howell, Robert VanNorman, and Luke Herscher.

 

Our local Four Chaplains Chapter was started in Roseburg in 2012 by Jim Little & Jim Barnett.Dan Loomis joined the program in 2023.The local Legion of Honor program has awarded 57 Legion of Honor Awards and 10 Certificates of Appreciation to local Douglas County residents since starting the chapter here in Roseburg.There will be a few more inductees honored on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the 14th Annual Four Chaplains Event at Westside Christian Church in Roseburg.In addition to the Legion of Honor Awards, Jim Little, Jim Barnett and Commissioner Tim Freeman were awarded the prestigious Legion of Honor National Bronze Medallion Award from the National Chapel of Four Chaplains, which honors their distinguished service and extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others, not only in Douglas County, but throughout Oregon and the United States.The Bronze Medallion is the second highest honor awarded annually to a very select group of individuals in the United States by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.The medallion is bestowed only to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others at the State, Regional or National level, and whose very life epitomizes the spirit of the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.Additionally, Pastor Rick McMichael and posthumously, Dr. Fredrick Hersher were awarded the Four Chaplains Humanitarian Award.  The Humanitarian Award is the third highest honor awarded annually to a very select group of individuals in the United States by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.It recognizes a commitment to selfless service and societal advancement, which has positively affected the quality of life in our community.

 

After the presentation of certificates, local Four Chaplains chapter coordinator Jim Little was invited to the podium by Commissioner Kress.  He thanked the Board of Commissioners for their support, encouragement, and involvement in keeping the legacy of the Four Chaplains, along with their sacrifice, courage, brotherhood and invaluable American history alive by proclaiming Four Chaplains Day in Douglas County.

 

“This proclamation is very much appreciated by all associated with this effort for keeping the memory of the Four Chaplains alive and well in our community.  I also appreciate First Sgt. veteran Jim Barnett, CWO4 veteran Dan Loomis and all the legion of honor members that have come here today - on purpose.  The issue of this proclamation by the Douglas County Board of Commissioner is one of the fondest memories of we who have invested our time in this worthy cause.  I truly hope this story continues to be told,” stated Jim Little, US Navy Veteran and local Four Chaplains Coordinator.  Little then introduced and invited First Sgt. veteran Jim Barnett to the podium to share how he has gone far above the call of duty.  “Jim has brought the level of service far and above any other Four Chaplains service I have seen – even at the National Chapel level.” 

 

Barnett explained that he has been working the last couple of years to make sure that the U.S. Coast Guard cutters that aided the U.S.S. Dorchester in saving lives, along with two guardsmen (Charles Walter David, Jr. and Forrest Oren Rednour, who also perished while saving lives that fateful day, were properly awarded the Four Chaplains Gold Medallion Award for their heroic efforts from the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. 

Douglas County Commissioners proclaimed Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as Four Chaplains Day in Douglas County and encouraged all our citizens to honor the Four Chaplain’s and the memory of those who perished on the Dorchester that day by stepping up and giving back to your communities in service.  They also encourage you to attend the 14th Annual Four Chaplains Event at Westside Christian Church in Roseburg on Saturday, February 7, 2026, starting at 11:30 am.  To learn more about the Legion of Honor and the Chapel of Four Chaplains log onto their website: http://fourchaplains.org/.

 

“In closing, I’d like to share with you something I wrote a few years agon concerning the Four Chaplains.  Reverand Fox, Rabbi Goode, Father Washington, and Reverand Poling passed life’s ultimate test.  In doing so they became an enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage, and selflessness.  Super Bowl Sunday, the first weekend in February, football heroes and commercials for potato chips will capture the nation’s attention.  That day, as has become custom, the attention will be focused on the football game.  But perhaps as we are here today, we can continue each year to pause and reflect upon what valor, and courage, and sacrifice really mean and how rare they truly are.  And recall the four men who remain true heroes that a grateful and humble country honored them by calling them these ‘Immortal Chaplains,’ remarked Little. 

 

###

 

Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountupr.gov

Assets Attached.  Photo: K.Rodriguez/Douglas County

Attached Media Files: 2026-Four-Chaplains-Day-Proclamation-JPG.jpg, 1-28-26-Four-Chaplains-Proclamation-signed.jpg, FOUR-CHAPLAINS-CEREMONY-POSTER-2026.png,

01-28-26 Commissioners Issue Four Chaplains Day Proclamation (Photo) - 01/28/26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2026

 

Commissioners Issue Four Chaplains Day Proclamation

 

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman issued a proclamation on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe Four Chaplains Day, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.  For more than seventy years the Chapel of the Four Chaplains has told their story and supported the Legion of Honor Awards program all across America, which 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.  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

 

The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged, “We recognize that February 3, 2025, marks the eighty-second anniversary of the sinking of the United States Army Transport Ship Dorchester by enemy action off the coast of Greenland amid World War II.  On this day we honor the four Army chaplains who were on board the Dorchester - Lt. George L. Fox, a Methodist Minister from Vermont; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish Rabbi from Pennsylvania; Lt. John P. Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest from New Jersey and Lt. Clark V. Poling, a Dutch Reformed Minister from New York – for rendering services beyond valor, as they stood arm-in-arm leading those on board in prayer, giving away their own life jackets, as the ship sank into the deep.” 

 

Commissioner Freeman presented proclamation certificates to Douglas County’s Legion of Honor Chapter Coordinators, as well as previous Legion of Honor Recipients from Douglas County.  Douglas County Legion of Honor Chapter Coordinators: James Little (Retired U.S. Navy), James Barnett (Retired USMC), and Dan Loomis (Retired US Army).  Previous Legion of Honor recipients from Douglas County in attendance included: Commissioner Tim Freeman, Commissioner Chris Boice, Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell, Richard Sciapiti, Dan Loomis, David Hopkins, Neil Hummel, Jim Barnett, Jim Little, Jerry Anderson, Ronald Dukes, Mary Newman, Carol Hunt, Kimberly Turner, Steve Bennett, Mike Eakin, Tamara Howell, Robert VanNorman, and Luke Herscher.

 

Our local Four Chaplains Chapter was started in Roseburg in 2012 by Jim Little & Jim Barnett.Dan Loomis joined the program in 2023.The local Legion of Honor program has awarded 57 Legion of Honor Awards and 10 Certificates of Appreciation to local Douglas County residents since starting the chapter here in Roseburg.There will be a few more inductees honored on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the 14th Annual Four Chaplains Event at Westside Christian Church in Roseburg.In addition to the Legion of Honor Awards, Jim Little, Jim Barnett and Commissioner Tim Freeman were awarded the prestigious Legion of Honor National Bronze Medallion Award from the National Chapel of Four Chaplains, which honors their distinguished service and extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others, not only in Douglas County, but throughout Oregon and the United States.The Bronze Medallion is the second highest honor awarded annually to a very select group of individuals in the United States by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.The medallion is bestowed only to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others at the State, Regional or National level, and whose very life epitomizes the spirit of the sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.Additionally, Pastor Rick McMichael and posthumously, Dr. Fredrick Hersher were awarded the Four Chaplains Humanitarian Award.  The Humanitarian Award is the third highest honor awarded annually to a very select group of individuals in the United States by the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.It recognizes a commitment to selfless service and societal advancement, which has positively affected the quality of life in our community.

 

After the presentation of certificates, local Four Chaplains chapter coordinator Jim Little was invited to the podium by Commissioner Kress.  He thanked the Board of Commissioners for their support, encouragement, and involvement in keeping the legacy of the Four Chaplains, along with their sacrifice, courage, brotherhood and invaluable American history alive by proclaiming Four Chaplains Day in Douglas County.

 

“This proclamation is very much appreciated by all associated with this effort for keeping the memory of the Four Chaplains alive and well in our community.  I also appreciate First Sgt. veteran Jim Barnett, CWO4 veteran Dan Loomis and all the legion of honor members that have come here today - on purpose.  The issue of this proclamation by the Douglas County Board of Commissioner is one of the fondest memories of we who have invested our time in this worthy cause.  I truly hope this story continues to be told,” stated Jim Little, US Navy Veteran and local Four Chaplains Coordinator.  Little then introduced and invited First Sgt. veteran Jim Barnett to the podium to share how he has gone far above the call of duty.  “Jim has brought the level of service far and above any other Four Chaplains service I have seen – even at the National Chapel level.” 

 

Barnett explained that he has been working the last couple of years to make sure that the U.S. Coast Guard cutters that aided the U.S.S. Dorchester in saving lives, along with two guardsmen (Charles Walter David, Jr. and Forrest Oren Rednour, who also perished while saving lives that fateful day, were properly awarded the Four Chaplains Gold Medallion Award for their heroic efforts from the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation. 

Douglas County Commissioners proclaimed Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as Four Chaplains Day in Douglas County and encouraged all our citizens to honor the Four Chaplain’s and the memory of those who perished on the Dorchester that day by stepping up and giving back to your communities in service.  They also encourage you to attend the 14th Annual Four Chaplains Event at Westside Christian Church in Roseburg on Saturday, February 7, 2026, starting at 11:30 am.  To learn more about the Legion of Honor and the Chapel of Four Chaplains log onto their website: http://fourchaplains.org/.

 

“In closing, I’d like to share with you something I wrote a few years agon concerning the Four Chaplains.  Reverand Fox, Rabbi Goode, Father Washington, and Reverand Poling passed life’s ultimate test.  In doing so they became an enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage, and selflessness.  Super Bowl Sunday, the first weekend in February, football heroes and commercials for potato chips will capture the nation’s attention.  That day, as has become custom, the attention will be focused on the football game.  But perhaps as we are here today, we can continue each year to pause and reflect upon what valor, and courage, and sacrifice really mean and how rare they truly are.  And recall the four men who remain true heroes that a grateful and humble country honored them by calling them these ‘Immortal Chaplains,’ remarked Little. 

 

###

 

Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountupr.gov

Assets Attached.  Photo: K.Rodriguez/Douglas County

Attached Media Files: 2026-Four-Chaplains-Day-Proclamation-JPG.jpg, 1-28-26-Four-Chaplains-Proclamation-signed.jpg, FOUR-CHAPLAINS-CEREMONY-POSTER-2026.png,