Chaplain
The duties of the Chaplain are to pronounce the invocation and the benediction at Auxiliary meetings, as well as perform such other acts as would fall within the realm of her office as the spiritual leader. She should conduct the memorial service when such is needed. As the Auxiliary is composed of women of different creeds and faiths, she must be a woman of tolerance and sympathy toward all.
All About the Lily Of The Valley FlowerThe lily of the valley flower is a great one that a lot of people really like, this is a great flower that people really enjoy to get and really enjoy to see. The lily of the valley flower is not only absolutely beautiful but it also has a lot of great meanings that people will really appreciate. The lily of the valley actually has a very cool meaning to it. This flower actually suggests to people that they are incomplete without the person that is being handed the flower. It also is a flower that has a lot of religious meaning and ties to the tears that the Virgin Mary spilled.
The Story of the Four ChaplainsThe Story On Feb. 3, 1943, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester carrying 902 service men, merchant seamen and civilian workers was sunk in the cold Atlantic. Through the pandemonium, according to those present, four Army chaplains brought hope in despair and light in darkness. Those chaplains were Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. Quickly and quietly, the four chaplains spread out among the soldiers. There they tried to calm the frightened, tend the wounded and guide the disoriented toward safety. “Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live,” says Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox. One witness, Private William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. “I could hear men crying, pleading, praying,” Bednar recalls. “I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going.” By this time, most of the men were topside, and the chaplains opened a storage locker and began distributing life jackets. It was then that Engineer Grady Clark witnessed an astonishing sight. When there were no more lifejackets in the storage room, the chaplains removed theirs and gave them to four frightened young men. “It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven,” said John Ladd, another survivor who saw the chaplains’ selfless act. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby rafts could see the four chaplains–arms linked and braced against the slanting deck. Their voices could also be heard offering prayers. Of the 902 men aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester, 672 died, leaving 230 survivors. When the news reached American shores, the nation was stunned by the magnitude of the tragedy and heroic conduct of the four chaplains. “Valor is a gift,” Carl Sandburg once said. “Those having it never know for sure whether they have it until the test comes.” That night Reverend Fox, Rabbi Goode, Reverend Poling and Father Washington passed life’s ultimate test. In doing so, they became an enduring example of extraordinary faith, courage and selflessness. The Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were awarded posthumously December 19, 1944, to the next of kin by Lt. Gen. Brehon B. Somervell, Commanding General of the Army Service Forces, in a ceremony at the post chapel at Fort Myer, VA. A one-time only posthumous Special Medal for Heroism was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President Eisenhower on January 18, 1961. The special medal was intended to have the same weight and importance as the Medal of Honor
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Prayer RequestsIf any member has a special need for a prayer request, please send Chaplain
 In Loving Tribute FundSend cards of memorial, get well, or for a special occasion by using the In Loving Tribute Fund.
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CHAPLAIN'S PRAYER BOOK
At the 86th National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, a vote was taken to create an American Legion Auxiliary Chaplains’ Prayer Book. This book is the result of that vote.
The prayers on the following pages are a compilation of those submitted by past chaplains of the American Legion Auxiliary. Wherever possible, credit has been given to the individual who contributed the prayer. Although the material contained in this book may be changed or altered to suit the user, it should be noted that care has been taken to revise and edit the material to reflect the true non-denominational and non-sectarian views of the “Service to God and Country” programs of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Please use this book when and wherever possible. It has been written with love and prayer for all that these words touch.
At the 86th National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, a vote was taken to create an American Legion Auxiliary Chaplains’ Prayer Book. This book is the result of that vote.
The prayers on the following pages are a compilation of those submitted by past chaplains of the American Legion Auxiliary. Wherever possible, credit has been given to the individual who contributed the prayer. Although the material contained in this book may be changed or altered to suit the user, it should be noted that care has been taken to revise and edit the material to reflect the true non-denominational and non-sectarian views of the “Service to God and Country” programs of the American Legion Auxiliary.
Please use this book when and wherever possible. It has been written with love and prayer for all that these words touch.