THE IMMORTAL CHAPLAINS FOUNDATION
On The Queen Mary
1126 Queen’s Way Long Beach, CA 90802 USA
Phone: 612.272.9109
or you can e-mail us at: information@immortalchaplains.org

International Patron: Archbishop Desmond Tutu

December, 2004

Dear Friend of The Immortal Chaplains Foundation,

This has been a year of great highs and lows for the Immortal Chaplains Foundation (ICF). Sadly, we lost our dear Theresa Goode Kaplan, the last widow of the Four Chaplains, on September 20th. Theresa was much of the heart of ICF and she last appeared with us on May 27th, presenting the 2004 Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity to the families of our Honorees, WWII Chaplains, Rabbi Gittelsohn and Father O’Callahan. She prophetically told us then with a sad smile, “This is the last event I’ll be attending…” Theresa was a remarkable woman who grew stronger in adversity. None of us will forget the incomparable compassion she demonstrated in 2000, when she welcomed the surviving crew members of the German U-boat that caused her husband’s death into her home in Washington. She modeled the way for the ICF’s future course….and, we dare to hope, Humanity’s.

On November 17th, a truly special event took place at the Coast Guard Training Center in New Jersey. Board Chair Judge Barry M. Sax and Dorchester rescuer, Richard Swanson, re-presented the 1999 Immortal Chaplains Prize for Humanity to the widow and family of Charles W. David. We had honored David, an African American on the US Coast Guard Cutter Comanche, with the first Prize for Humanity for giving his life to save survivors from the Dorchester in 1943. His family could not be located until recently and thanks to extraordinary research, Judge Sax had the honor of taking them to David’s grave site in New York City. They had always believed him lost at sea. A copy of the Prize is now on permanent display as an example for all trainees at the U.S. Coast Guard Base.

The year 2004 also saw ICF fulfilling more of its stated goals: in the month of May Random House released author Dan Kurzman’s well-researched book on the Chaplains: No Greater Glory. We provided Dan with access to ICF’s survivor video interviews and archives. On November 10th, the Hallmark Channel premiered The Four Chaplains - Sacrifice at Sea. ICF played a major role in this production as well. These two media productions are now added to the radio documentary produced with our assistance by Minnesota Public Radio in 2000 which is still played annually on National Public Radio (You can hear it on our website Home Page link: www.ImmortalChaplains.org)

While we are proud that these goals have been reached, we have miles to go. Our goal of teaching the lessons of showing compassion to others who are different, must continue. We are seeking funding to grow our educational curriculum into a national program for teaching “doing the right thing toward others” – and to use this story to influence young minds. Also on the horizon, we are hopeful a feature film of this story will become reality, and need funding for this part of our mission.

On another note, ICF’s executive function is moving to California while certain administrative support remains in Minnesota. Our official presence in Germany continues as well. We believe our diversity is our strength as we share this remarkable story with others around the world. (Because of this move, we will postpone the February 2005 presentation of the Prize for Humanity, although other ICF activities will continue.)

We stand on the brink of new opportunities as we glance back reflectively on past achievements. To move forward we need your help now more than ever. It is a critical juncture for us. Consider how far we have come and please help us down that next mile…for Humanity.

With sincere gratitude,

David P. Fox (Co-Founder & Executive Director) & Judge Barry M. Sax (Chairman of the Board)