- May 5, 2024
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When Stan Kates first retired to Palm Coast in 1993, his boss gave him a set of golf clubs. He had never played golf before, but he was told if he was retiring to Florida, that was the thing to do. He enrolled in golf class at Cypress Knolls, but could never get the ball to go up. He could hit straight, but not up.
Kates eventually sold the clubs and got busy.
He rode twice a week riding in the Citizen Observer Patrol car. He became quartermaster of the Jewish War Veterans, got involved in the R.S.V.P., and volunteers at the court. He also plays taps at the cemetery and volunteers his time to coordinate with funeral homes.
“Don’t ask me what I do,” he said. “I’m just busy.”
This Sunday, he will be honored for his selfless service to the community both in Palm Coast and in New York when he is presented The Bronze Medallion of the Legion of Honor of the Four Chaplains.
“I’m really surprised because I didn’t think anybody really took notice of anything,” Kates said as he sat on the couch in his living room, the table lined with framed photographs of his grandchildren. “I don’t want to pat myself of the back, but it makes me feel good that I am still accomplishing something.”
During his 18 years as quartermaster, he has done a little bit of everything, from organizing donations to letter writing. He is the printer, the writer and the advertising salesman for the Jewish War Veterans monthly newsletters and meeting programs.
“If I’m gonna do a job, I’m gonna do it right,” Kates said. “I do this because I enjoy it and its payback.”
The award Kates is receiving is in memory of the four U.S. Army Chaplains who, when their ship was torpedoed in 1943, gave their life vests to soldiers who had none. These chaplains — a Roman Catholic Priest, a Jewish Rabbi and two Protestant Ministers — gave up their only chances of survival and went down into the cold North Atlantic with the ship.
Included among those who have been recognized with this medallion are U.S. Presidents Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and the elder George Bush, as well as Juan Carlos I, King of Spain; former British Prime Minister Dame Margaret Thatcher; the late Premier of France Francoise Mitterand; and several American cardinals, rabbis and Protestant ministers.
Barthomew I, patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Church and the spiritual leader of 450 million Orthodox Catholics worldwide, traveled from Istanbul to Pittsburgh to receive this honor.
Comedians Bob Hope, Martha Raye and Mickey Rooney have also been inscribed onto on the chapel’s permanent list.
Still, “the list of people who did not receive this award is more impressive than those that did,” joked Larry Babitts, who will be presenting the award.
And for Kates, it’s not about becoming one of the names on the elite list. He does what he does simply because he enjoys it.
