Washington Memorial Chapel’s Veteran’s Commission is proud to announce that it is hosting a special Memorial Day Commemoration on Monday, May 27 featuring a Choral Matins in Remembrance of Memorial Day with an exclusive speaking engagement by 100-Year Old WWII Veteran and Flying Tiger Jack Goodrich, followed by a BBQ Luncheon. The Choral Matins in Remembrance of Memorial Day will start at 11 AM ET at the Washington Memorial Chapel (2000 Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia, PA 19406) to honor and pay respect to the brave men and women who valiantly lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. Combining prayers of healing and hope with the beautiful sounds of the Chapel’s choir, the Choral Matins offers a profound and moving experience for those reflecting, mourning, and honoring our country’s heroes.

During the service, special guest speaker Goodrich will regale attendees with his heroic stories serving in WWII as an Air Force lieutenant and as a member of the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteer pilots who fought alongside the Chinese Air Force against Japanese forces prior to the United States' official entry into the war. Goodrich flew under the legendary General Claire Lee Chennault in China as a “Hump Pilot” to fly badly needed supplies over the Himalayan Mountains into China after the Japanese military cut off all other routes. In 2015, Goodrich was feted with the Chinese Medal of Honor for his efforts during WWII; fewer than 100 non-Chinese military veterans have ever been bestowed a medal of honor from the People’s Republic of China.

“We are very blessed this year to have Mr. Jack Goodrich with us for our Memorial Day Remembrance Service,” said Father Tommy A. Thompson, VII Rector, Washington Memorial Chapel. “Fr. Tim and I have visited with him and he is a fantastic story teller; all of which are non-fiction from his own lived perspective during the war.”

A BBQ picnic will be held in the Bishop White Courtyard on the Chapel’s grounds immediately following the Choral Matins in Remembrance of Memorial Day. The event is free and open to the public however registration is requested.