HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 LuncheonOrder of Observance
Welcome & Acknowledgments
Mr. Luther Alexander
Executive Staff Officer, Religious Affairs Office
The Grace
LT Timothy Springer, CHC, USN
Chaplain, Navy Information Operations Command
Maryland
Lunch
Speaker
Mr. Ernie Leroy Heaton
Survivor of the USA Dorchester
A Call to Remembrance
Ch, Lt Col Donald Wilson, USAF
Wing Chaplain, 70rh Intelligence, Surveillance,
Reconnaissance Wing
Taps
Benediction
Ch, Lt Col Thomas Angelo, USAF
Executive Staff Chaplain, USCYBERCOM
On February 3, 1943 the United States Troop Transport Dorchester was sunk by a
Nazi torpedo as it was trying to catch up with its convoy in the North Atlantic at 1AM.
As it was sinking, four chaplains—two Protestants, one Roman Catholic, and one
Jew—gave their life vests to four soldiers who had none. This story has left a mark on
our nation, constantly reminding us of the Chaplains' heroic deeds and interfaith in
Action. When Congress authorized the Four Chaplains 3 -cent commemorative stamp
in 1948, it called them the four Immortal Chaplains, and "interfaith in action."
Today, we have one of the survivors of this ill-fated ship—Ernie Leroy Heaton. More
than 600 servicemen perished. Two hundred thirty persons survived. Ernie was born
in 1923 on Valentine's Day in Holidays Cove, West Virginia. He had three brothers
and two sisters. Growing up Ernie was quite the athlete. He played varsity football,
basketball and ran track during his high school years. On a hot day he and his
brothers would swim in the Ohio River which was only a few miles from their home. In
hisjunior year in High School he learned welding, his older brothers were off to war
and he did the chores with his sisters. When Ernie became 18 he enlisted in The U.S.
Army Air Corps. You couldn't stop him. Now the Heaton home boasted four blue stars
in the front window. Dad was proud and Mom was reserved and nervous.
After the war, all the sons returned home safely and Ernie lived the American Dream.
He got married, had three children, ran a successful air-conditioning business, is a
32nd degree Shriner and became the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and
Protected Order of the Elks for the state of Arizona.
As a widower, Ernie still packs in a full day today. He is an avid master wood worker
and is very active in raising funds to build a Monument to the Four Chaplains in
the City of Sebastian, Florida. This interfaith monument is a project that only needs
$20.000 more to be completed. It has already been designated a landmark by the
historical society; and the city has approved a location adjacent to the Veterans'
Memorials in Sebastian's Riverside Park.
In August 2010, Ernie was made a Director of the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, a
national Organization founded in 1951 and dedicated that same year by President
HarryTruman.
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