KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Kirtland Air Force Base Airmen, leaders, and community members gather for the annual Four Chaplains Luncheon, hosted by the Kirtland Chaplain Corps, to honor the legacy of selfless service, sacrifice, and unity.
The event commemorates the heroic actions of four U.S. Army chaplains—Lt. George Fox, Lt. Alexander Goode, Lt. Clark Poling, and Lt. John Washington—who gave their lives during the sinking of the USAT Dorchester in 1943. In their final moments, these chaplains embodied unwavering faith, courage, and self-sacrifice, giving up their life jackets to save others as the ship went down.
Through this luncheon, the Kirtland Chaplain Corps reinforces the Air Force’s core values of Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do, reminding attendees of the importance of spiritual resilience, moral leadership, and unity across all faiths and beliefs. This observance serves as a testament to the enduring commitment of the Chaplain Corps to support the spiritual well-being and readiness of Team Kirtland’s Airmen and families.