 Four Chaplains Day, observed annually on February 3, honors the supreme sacrifice of four U.S. Army chaplains—George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington—who gave their life jackets to soldiers and went down with the torpedoed USAT Dorchester on Feb. 3, 1943, embodying selfless service and interfaith unity. The Four Chaplains The four chaplains represented three different faiths and served together, offering a powerful example of brotherhood during World War II:
The Story of the USAT Dorchester
On January 29, 1943, the Dorchester departed New York for Greenland with over 900 soldiers, merchant seamen, and civilian workers. Early on February 3, 1943, a German submarine torpedoed the ship off the coast of Newfoundland. Amidst the chaos, the four chaplains maintained calm, guided soldiers to safety, and distributed life jackets. When life jackets ran out, the chaplains gave their own to others. Survivors reported seeing the chaplains on the deck, arm-in-arm, praying together as the ship sank in less than 20 minutes, killing 672 men.
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Fund Raiser for Ibi Semper Training, Inc.Carrie A Farley Department: NY Chapter: Albany Albany Chapter Member Kim Vandenburg, decided in honor of her son SGT. Nathan Higginbotham, do a Celebration of life for his 10th. Angelversary she would raise money for a local organization Ibi Semper Training, Inc. a amazing organization who trains service dogs for Veterans in need. With support from many local people in the community she was able to give them $1,500.00.  Sweets and Valentines for VeteransToni Gross Department: FL-PR Chapter: Tampa Bay American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. National President and Tampa Bay Chapter Member, Annette Kirk, teamed up with Toni Gross at the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County meeting, 1.26.2026. Annette and Toni baked and served valentine cupcakes during the social hour time. Both have been members of the council for 13 years plus each, a combined membership of at least 30 years, baking and serving cookies and such before each monthly meeting. Amazingly, when the Council Treasurer snapped this photo, it was not known that the Woody Williams Gold Star Family Memorial Monument was in the photo. Annette and Toni served over 50 "sweet" and hungry veterans a baked treat in an effort to thank them and wish them Happy Valentine's Day.  Department: Virginia Chapter: Hampton Roads Woody Williams Award PresentationMona Gunn (Past Presidents Nat'l., Dept. & Chapter) was presented the Legacy of Honor Award for the Woody WIlliams Foundation on 1-10-26 at the Chapter meeting. Presenting the award to Mona is Angela Bell, Chapter and Department Presidents.  Department: Tennessee Chapter: Volunteer Wreaths Across America East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery Knoxville, TennesseeKelly Swanson represented the Volunteer chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers during the Wreaths Across America event at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. Kelly was assisted by sweet friends of Sherrie McGhee. There was a wonderful ceremony followed by Amazing Grace played on bagpipes. It was a beautiful day to Honor and Remember our very special Veterans who served, and to those who gave their lives for this beautiful country.
Christmas Presents to Ben Atchley Veterans Home Ben Atchley Veterans Home Knoxville, TNThe Volunteer Chapter of Tennessee delivered Christmas presents to ten Veterans residing in the Ben Atchley Veterans Home in Knoxville, TN. Each year the Volunteer Chapter adopt ten veterans to receive Christmas gifts! Kelly Swanson, Sherrie McGhee, and Lynn and Jay Forehand delivered the gifts on behalf of the chapter.  Department: Maryland/Delaware Chapter: Maryland Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony Owings Mills, MD Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery held their annual Wreaths Across America ceremony on the official National WAA Day, December 13, 2025. Mrs. Diana and Roger Emerson US Navy Veteran, WAA Location Coordinators for the Garrison Forest cemetery, served as the Masters of Ceremonies. The Franklin High School JROTC presented Colors and Cadet Ariana Murphy, Air Civil Patrol sang the National Anthem. Jesse Mixon US Navy Veteran Chaplain led in a moment of silence. The Emerson’s along with Baltimore County Councilman Pat Young USMC Veteran gave inspirational messages that was followed by the wreath laying ceremony. A veteran from every branch of the Armed Forces placed a wreath during the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony TAPS was played by Chaplain Mixon. The ceremony was well attended by family and hundreds of volunteers. Gold Star Mother Janice Chance represented the Maryland Chapter. Prior to placing the wreaths instructions were provided by Mrs. Emerson. The volunteers were reminded to speak the veterans’ name aloud, thank them for their service and reflect on the veteran’s life. Janice joined the volunteers who worked together to place the 5,100 donated wreaths throughout the cemetery to honor our veterans. Janice also had the honor to place a wreath on the grave of her late father Harry Matthews US Navy WWII veteran and her late uncle Kenneth Matthews US Army Korean war Veteran. Although it was cold day it did not hinder the goal of placement of the wreaths on the graves of our heroes. The Maryland Chapter donated wreaths to Garrison Forest, and to all the Maryland Veterans Cemeteries. They also donated wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery and Dulaney Valley Memorial Cemetery.
Did You Know....
Marsha held many positions and was President of Chapter 15 for a few years. She then continued to be Vice President after. We hold our chapter meetings in a church she was a member of. Marsha does not like computers. Her husband William became her secretary. As her years of being AGSM, Marsha planned bingo games and pizza lunches for our veterans at the Syracuse NY Veterans Center. She also attended and donated many items for our Women Veterans baby showers. Participated in many Memorial ceremonies for our fallen veterans. Laying wreaths not only for her son but for all our fallen Heroes. Due to health reasons in May 2025,Marsha and William moved to Virginia to be closer to their sons and family. She will continue as a member of our chapter. William keeps us updated on how they are doing. They both left a big impact on us here in NY.
Love and hugs and prayers to our Sweet Marsha and William. Did you know...Becky Christmas  Did you know that in 2024 the Centennial Committee and the National Executive Board engaged Holly Fenelon to begin work on Volume 2 of our AGSM history, picking up where Volume 1 left off and leading up to our Centennial Celebration in 2028? Holly wrote our first history book, "1928-2010, A History". The hard copies are sold out but the paperback version can be purchased on Amazon. It is titled, "That Knock at the Door", Holly S. Fenelon.
 The history of the National Guard traces back to the colonial militia. On December 13, 1636, the Massachusetts Bay Colony's General Court ordered the organization of the colony's existing militia companies into three permanent regiments to improve defense, marking the beginning of the first organized American fighting force.
These first regiments are the direct ancestors of several modern-day Massachusetts Army National Guard units and are recognized as the oldest units in the U.S. military. The date of this organizational order is officially recognized by the Department of Defense as the National Guard's birth date. Did you know...Becky Christmas  Did you know that American Gold Star Mothers. Inc. sent 25,954 Christmas and Holiday cards from 37 different states for the Veterans Last Patrol Annual Operation Holiday Salute in 2024? How many will be sent in 2025?  Photo of cards sent to AGSM for the 2025 season. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually in the United States on December 7. The date commemorates the surprise Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, a "date which will live in infamy" that led to the United States' entry into World War II. The day honors the 2,403 American service members and civilians who were killed in the attack, as well as the 1,178 others who were wounded.  Texas Veterans Hall of Fame's 7th Annual Induction CeremonyDepartment: TX-OK Department Chapter: North/West TX Chapter 7th Annual Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on November 08, 2025 to honor our heroes & veterans. Awards given to the following from the TX/OK North West Chapter. TVHOF Lonestar Merit Award -Carla Wicks, Member of the American Gold Star Mothers. TVHOF Gold Star Award Nathan Ingram Family -Kristi & Danny Hughes  |
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