Four Chaplains Day:
A Legacy of Faith, Courage, and Sacrifice
On February 3rd, we pause to honor the Four Chaplains, men of deep faith and courage who exemplified Christ’s call to selfless love and sacrifice. Their story is one of unity, service, and unwavering trust in God—a powerful reminder of what it means to lay down one’s life for others.
A Night of Heroism
It was the early morning hours of February 3, 1943, when the USAT Dorchester, a crowded troop transport carrying over 900 soldiers, was struck by a German U-boat torpedo in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Within moments, panic spread as men rushed to escape the rapidly sinking ship.
In the midst of the chaos, four Army chaplains—Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed), and Lt. John P. Washington (Catholic)—sprang into action. Instead of seeking safety for themselves, they calmed fears, guided soldiers to lifeboats, prayed with the wounded, and handed out life jackets.
When the supply of life jackets ran out, these chaplains made the ultimate sacrifice—removing their own jackets and giving them to soldiers who had none. Survivors recalled the four standing together, arms linked, praying as the ship slipped beneath the waves. Of the 902 men aboard, only 230 survived. The chaplains were among the 672 souls lost that night.
Faith That Unites
One of the most powerful aspects of this story is that these chaplains came from different faith traditions, yet they stood together as brothers, united in their mission to serve both God and their fellow soldiers. Their actions remind us that, despite our differences in background or denomination, we are called to love, serve, and sacrifice for one another.
Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Their selflessness also reflects the heart of Christ, who calls us to put others before ourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
A Call to Remember
Each year, Four Chaplains Day serves as a time to reflect on their legacy of faith and sacrifice. As followers of Christ, we are challenged to live with the same courage, unity, and selflessness. Their story is not just a historical event—it is a call to action for each of us today.
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
How Can We Honor Their Legacy?
Pray for Military Chaplains – Today’s military chaplains continue to provide spiritual guidance, hope, and comfort to service members. Lift them up in prayer as they minister to those in need.
Reflect on Selfless Service – How can we, like the Four Chaplains, serve others without hesitation? Whether in small acts of kindness or larger sacrifices, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Share Their Story – The legacy of the Four Chaplains is one that should never be forgotten. By sharing their example, we encourage others to live with greater faith, courage, and love.
As we remember these brave men, let us strive to live out their example—standing firm in faith, serving others, and trusting in God’s divine plan. May we all reflect on their sacrifice and seek to live in such a way that honors Christ.
Living Expectantly
Have you ever heard the tale of old Shep? In Montana, overlooking the Missouri River and the Great Northern Railroad, is a monument erected to pay tribute to old Shep, a collie dog that had belonged to an old shepherd. Wherever the man went Shep was always at his side.
Then in 1936 Shep’s master died. Shep accompanied him the final time when men took his body to the train station, from whence it would be shipped back East for burial. Shep tried to board the train with his master, but was put off. As the train pulled from the station, Shep followed as far as he could.
Losing sight of the train, he returned to the station where he dug a spot under the depot, from which he would keep vigil for the return of his master. Through six cold, snowy Montana winters and five springs he would expectantly greet the arrival of each train, looking for his master’s return. In January, 1942, a train struck the old dog, killing him. Railroaders who had befriended and fed the dog buried him on a bluff, and the monument was erected in his memory.
Are we, as Christians, as faithful as was old Shep as we look for the return of our Master? Unlike Shep, our Master will return. When God’s table of time is completed, “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Hebrews 10:3 7).
Though years pass, we are “looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 3:13). The question is: ARE YOU READY?
St. Valentine’s Day:
Love Rooted in Sacrifice and Obedience
Each year, on February 14, the world celebrates Valentine’s Day—a day often associated with romantic love, flowers, and heartfelt gestures. But beyond the chocolates and cards, the true meaning of love in the Christian faith is deeply rooted in sacrifice and obedience to God rather than to the expectations of the world. While there are multiple persons known as St. Valentine, we will recount the story of the most well-known Valentine here.
The Legacy of Saint Valentine
While much of the history surrounding Saint Valentine remains a mystery, tradition tells us that he was a Christian priest in Rome during the third century. At that time, Emperor Claudius II had forbidden soldiers to marry, believing that single men made better warriors. Despite the imperial decree, Valentine chose to obey God’s higher law and secretly performed marriages for Christian couples.
For his faithful obedience to God rather than man, Valentine was imprisoned and ultimately martyred for his belief in Christ. His legacy reminds us that true love is not just about emotion—it is about sacrifice, commitment, and obedience to God’s commands.
Acts 5:29 – “But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’”
A Love That Reflects Christ
Valentine’s courageous stand echoes the greatest act of love—Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Christ chose obedience to the Father over the ways of the world, laying down His life so that we might have eternal life.
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
His obedience to the Father was not easy, yet it was perfect love in action.
Philippians 2:8 – “And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
Just as Saint Valentine refused to compromise his faith, we too are called to stand firm in Christ and to love not as the world defines love, but as God defines it—with selflessness, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.
Living Out True Love
This Valentine’s Day, rather than focusing only on earthly love, let us reflect on the greater love we are called to share.
Obey God First – In a world that often pressures us to compromise, let us remember that true love is shown through obedience to God’s Word.
Love With Sacrifice – Whether in our marriages, families, friendships, or communities, let’s reflect Christ’s self-giving love through acts of service, kindness, and forgiveness.
Share the Gospel – The most loving thing we can do for others is share the hope of Christ. Just as Valentine risked everything to honor God, we too should boldly proclaim His truth in love.
1 John 4:19 – "We love because He first loved us."
As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, may we fix our hearts on the greatest love story ever told—the love of Jesus Christ. May we live out His love daily, in obedience, sacrifice, and faithfulness to Him above all else.
Military Trauma Healing
CMF’s trauma healing program continues to offer hope and restoration to active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Through a Christ-centered approach, participants engage in a 12-week course designed to help them process and heal from trauma.
With the rising concern of military-related suicides, our program is committed to addressing this crisis head-on. Many veterans and service members struggling with trauma feel isolated and hopeless, leading them to consider destructive behavior or worse as a solution. Our mission is to intervene before it reaches that point. By providing practical coping strategies and a supportive, faith-based community, we empower participants to rediscover purpose and hope through Christ.
This program provides a safe space for individuals to explore spiritual, emotional, and psychological wounds. By addressing trauma holistically, we see remarkable transformations as participants learn practical coping strategies, experience community support, and find renewed purpose through faith in Christ. We are blessed to witness the profound impact it is having on the lives of those we serve.
Please let us know f we can start a trauma recovery group in your area.
Upcoming Trauma Healing Sessions:
National (Zoom) — Ongoing Gulf Coast Region — March, TBD
Ft. Cavazos—Start Date: February 5th
Are You Interested in Becoming a Local Leader?
Christian Military Fellowship exists to help you fulfill your calling in Christ to share the hope that is in you with those with whom you interact as part of your daily life.
Briefly, CMF Local Leaders will start, and sustain a CMF fellowship made up of members of the military community in their area. While CMF is an “all ranks” ministry, our area of focus is on enlisted personnel. Local leaders institute and lead the military community in Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, keeping in communication with participants. They should also seek to build relationships with the chaplains and the chaplain team.
Toward that end we encourage you to study and complete the CMF briefing material:
Orientation (Brief #1) that shares an overview of the CMF ministry.
Developing a Local Ministry (Brief #2) that shares the Biblical foundation for and delineates the logical steps in beginning your local ministry.
Pray and Plan (Brief #3) that shares the most important activity of all! Asking Jesus what He would have you to do and then being obedient to follow His leading in your local ministry. If you choose to begin this process, please reach out to us at: leader@cmfhq.org.
We’re praying for you!
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