On Monday, Nov. 11, a Veteran’s Day service was held in Evelyn Chapel. the service included readings from student military veteran Skye Ritter, a wreath laying on the quad and performances of taps and “Amazing Grace.”
The service, which was held close to the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month as tradition dictates, was attended by students, faculty and community members.
The reading was of “The Four Chaplains,” an account of four military chaplains who gave the ultimate sacrifice rescuing civilians and military personnel during the sinking of the troop transport vessel SS Dorchester.
The chaplains were Lt. George Fox, Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. John Washington and Lt. Clark Poling. All of them came from different faiths and traditions but banded together to save as many lives as possible before going down with the ship.
Lt. George L. Fox was an alumnus of Illinois Wesleyan and graduated in 1932.
The four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart. Another posthumous award was granted, The Four Chaplains’ Medal, which was authorized by Congress and awarded by the President on January 18, 1961.
The Four Chaplains Medal was awarded once and has since been deactivated.
The service also included music provided by Scott Whitman, a professor of music education, and Jackson Baker, a music performance student. Professor Whitman played “Amazing Grace” and Baker player the bugle call taps.
“The mood is always somber and reverent in services like this,” Baker said. “But it’s important to honor those who gave their all in defense of our nation.”
Professor Scott Whitman, a long time player of the bagpipes, was honored to be included in the service.
“The gratitude one feels towards those who stepped up and laid their lives on the line in defense of our nation can never be overstated,” Whitman said.
The observance was done in partnership with the Office of Multifaith Engagement. Their next event will be the Light the Night holiday celebration at Evelyn Chapel on Dec. 2, at 6 p.m.