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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010 TC Palm ArticleFour Chaplains monument still in works for Sebastian: TCPalm Pagel of 2 TCPALM FLORIDAS TREASURE CCA-kSTAND PALM BEACHES Road mono a: tcpalm.com Four Chaplains monument still in works for Sebastian By Janet Begley Thursday, December 16, 2010 SEBASTIAN — It's been almost six years since World War II veteran Ernest Heaton of Vero Beach started working on a monument to honor the four U.S. Army chaplains who died in the 1943 sinking of the USAT Dorchester in the Atlantic Ocean. And he's not about to give up now. "We need another $15,000," said Heaton, 87, who is one of two known living survivors of the German torpedo attack on Feb. 6, 1943. "1 don't want to get this part-way done. Once I start it, I want to complete it." The monument will be built on a 50 -square -foot site near Sebastian Riverview Park, adjacent to the Veterans Memorial along Indian River Drive. Through the past several years, the design has changed from a glass monument to one created from four pieces of granite fused into one. The memorial will include a reflecting pool, as well as a brick walkway and seating. Four Chaplains memorials already exist in Virginia, New York and Arizona. Larry Wapnick, president of the Four Chaplains Monument Committee, said the memorial will honor the heroic efforts of the four chaplains who represented the Roman Catholic, Jewish, Methodist and Dutch Reformed faiths, and died after giving up their life jackets to servicemen on the sinking ship. The interfaith sacrifice of the four clergymen — Alexander Goode, George Fox, Clark Poling and John Washington — should be remembered and honored, Wapnick said. "But their deed is one of life, not death," said Wapnick. "We want a living monument, a place that people will enjoy coming to." Heaton said contractors are ready to start on the project as soon as they are given the green light from the committee. http://www.tcpalm. cominewsl2010/dec/ 16/four-chaplains-monument-sti l l -in -works -f... 12/20/2010 Four Chaplains monument still in works for Sebastian : TCPaIm Page 2 of 2 "There's so much involved in creating the memorial," said Heaton. "In addition to the monument, we need water, electric, a filter and pump. It's really quite a project." Even with the start date contingent on fundraising, Heaton expects to break ground early in spring 2011. "I'm hoping we can start when the weather breaks in the spring," said Heaton. "That way, the contractors can dive right in and get this thing built." Heaton added the memorial will also honor all of the members of the armed forces, both past and present. "This is not only for the Four Chaplains," said Heaton. "It's for all of the services — they will all be recognized at the site." TO CONTRIBUTE Financial donations to the Four Chaplains Monument can be sent to RBC Bank, 13035 U.S. 1, Sebastian, FL 32958. Checks should be made payable to the Four Chaplains Monument Committee. For more information: Contact Larry Wapnick, president of the Four Chaplains Monument Committee, at 772-532-8749. © 2010 Scripps Newspaper Group — Online http://www.tcpalm.cominewsl2010/dec/ 16/four-chaplains-monument-still-in-works-f... 12/20/2010