Chapel of the Four Chaplains Event

United Church of Marco Island held a solemn ceremony on Thursday, April 4th, to recognize members of the Marco community for their heroic actions during their time in service to their nation and to those who volunteer in their community. The awards were presented on behalf of the Four Chaplains Foundation. The Chapel of the Four Chaplains is  located in the City of Philadelphia, of which the United Church’s Pastor Ed Brandt had served on their Board of Directors during his longtime career with the Army National Guard and his various postings,

The Four Chaplains Foundation was established under President Harry Truman on February 3, 1951, to honor the heroic service given by the four Chaplains who accompanied troops and merchant mariners aboard the Army Transport USS Dorchester. Those Chaplains were George L. Fox a Methodist Minister, John P. Washington a Catholic Priest, Alexander D. Goode a Jewish Rabbi and Clark Poling a Protestant Minister. 

On the fateful day of February 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed by an enemy submarine between Newfoundland and Greenland in the icy North Atlantic waters. In the confusion and the fear amongst those aboard the ship, the four chaplains aboard calmed and consoled those troops and crew, and in a heroic gesture of service above self they gave their survival gear to four of those who most certainly would have perished in those frigid waters of the North Atlantic; of the 902 onboard, only 230 would survive. 

Pastor Brandt had the added honor of introducing the daughter of one of those 230 survivors, Rosanne (Calandriello) Albanese, who was accompanied by her husband, Bill, and are residents of Marco Island. They were a guest of Rene Champagne, one of the recipients of the awards presented at the Four Chaplains Foundation Ceremony. 

Bruce Donaldson introduced Champagne to the attendees. Champagne is well known to the community due to his philanthropy, which spans a number of charities and causes across the island. As such, he received the Legion of Honor Award from the Four Chaplains Organization. Champagne was a U.S. Navy Veteran during the conflict in Vietnam and a successful business leader. Donaldson spoke of Champagne’s generosity, integrity, strategic planning background and community spirit, representing all that makes our community a better place. 

The second award went to Lee Rubinstein. He was introduced by Bill Adams, Vice Commander of American Legion Post 404. Rubinstein had served as the former VFW Commander on Marco Island before it was merged with the VFW Post in Golden Gate. As a member of the VFW, he was active in the design and fundraising for the original Veterans Memorial found in the Marco Island Veterans Community Park. He is a Vietnam-era veteran, having served in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany. Rubinstein serves as the Post 404 Commander and has been active in local veterans’ affairs during his time on Marco. He has most recently been involved in the project to bring a Vietnam Veteran-specific memorial to Veterans Community Park, the design for which was created by Vietnam Veteran Terry Kehoe, a member of Post 404.

The next award was presented to Jim and Allyson Richards, introduced by Pastor Brandt himself. There are few residents on the island who haven’t heard the name Allyson Richards, but as Jim Richards explained, he is Allyson’s number one backup volunteer and serves as her facilitator. He commented that the smartest thing he ever did was to marry Allyson.

Allyson thanked those in attendance and in her typical humble style, explained that she and Jim live their lives by one simple adage. “To whom much is given, much is expected. We just try to make others' lives better. Thank you so much.”

The Richards’ involvement within the community can be seen throughout many organizations and outreach efforts to make life a little better for so many. The award is highly deserved.

Next, Bruce Donaldson introduced John Foster, who presented the Charles W. David Lifesaving Award. The award was named after David for his heroic actions regarding his attempt to save troops and crew of the USS Dorchester at great risk to his own life. 

The Dorchester sank within 20 minutes from being torpedoed, however the USCG Cutter Commanche maneuvered close into those troops and crew in the icy water regardless of the potential threats from other U-Boats in the area. David, although one of the lowest ranked seamen on the Cutter Commanche, quickly scurried over the side and down the rope lines to assist those who were in trouble, among those Commanche Executive Officer Lt. Langford Anderson who fell overboard during those rescue operations. Seeing Anderson in peril, David dove into the frigid waters to save Langford’s life.

David would not be so lucky. He contracted pneumonia and 54 days later, succumbed to complications caused by his heroic actions. His widow and three-year-old son received medals from both the Navy and Marine posthumously for his heroic actions. 

David’s actions truly showed the character of a great American, although at the time, he was not treated very well due to the color of his skin. 

Foster received the award for his heroic acts in saving the life of a fellow seaman when placed in peril, regardless of the potential loss of his life while serving in the Navy after graduation from Cornell University. Foster placed his own life in jeopardy when stationed aboard the USS Locator. He responded to a sailor who had been thrown, stunned, into the frigid waters of the Pacific off the coast of San Fransico. Foster removed his outer clothing, donned his life jacket, and dove into those same foreboding waters. Swimming against 10-foot waves and 30-knot winds. He swam 300 yards to the stricken sailor and assisted him in his return to the ship. By that time, he too was suffering from exposure and exhaustion as he approached their ship, and fellow sailors brought both back onto the ship.

The Chapel of the Four Chaplains recognized Foster for his courage and presented him with their Lifesaving Award.

Foster’s words after receiving his award spoke more about the day than anything, as he turned to the Marco Island Charter School Band and opened his arms to them in a gesture, introducing them as “the future of the United States,” which brought a round of applause from the audience. He went on to tell the students what they had witnessed this morning were people who have served their country and their community, and in the future, he encouraged them to “please step up and also do so when your time arrives.”

As he spoke about the award presented to him, Foster commented that the young man whom he put his life on the line to rescue was his great reward. “He was 18 years old and joined the Navy to escape a bad home situation. That young man would spend the next 28 years in the Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander before retiring. He married his high school sweetheart, and they have been married for over 60 years. They have three children, five grandkids, and a great grandbaby on the way. What greater honor could I have ever asked for!”

The final award was given posthumously to Don Mills by Bill Adams. Mills passed from us only a few days shy of his 100th birthday. That award was the Legion of Honor Award, the highest and most prestigious award presented by The Chapel of the Four Chaplains. The award recognized Don’s life and his contributions over the years, which epitomizes the spirit of sacrifice of the Four Chaplains.

Don was one of the very few surviving World War II veterans here in Collier County. It is estimated there are less than 66,000 of those 16.4 million American men and women who served the nation during that perilous time are still alive.

He was recognized within the community as an accomplished business leader, community activist, and patriot. He could be seen throughout the community contributing for the good of all. Whether it was with Rotary, as the first Commodore of the Marco Island 

Yacht Club, Commander of the local VFW Post, member of Post 404 of the American Legion, Vice President of the Art League of Marco Island, and so many other organizations Don Mills never slowed down and always made you smile.

He held a real estate license and sold for the Deltona Corporation in its early days on the island, eventually becoming the Managing Partner of the Sun Trust Bank Building on Marco Island.

Don was a special individual who reflected all the wonderful values that we know as “America’s Greatest Generation.”

It was fitting than that the Marco Island Charter Middle School Band closed the event with the audience joining in and singing God Bless America as the Disseler Hall was filled with that patriotic rendition.