American Legion Buddy Checks referenced as one way “it takes all of us to help veterans.”
A nasty, sub-freezing cold front chilled the air and grayed the skies over Indianapolis on Veterans Day, and the federal government shutdown prevented U.S. military involvement. But the Indianapolis Veterans Day Council adapted and overcame – as those who served in uniform do – calling off the annual parade and moving the service indoors, to the historic Indiana War Memorial Building.
There, veterans and civil servants gathered to honor all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their families. The ceremony, co-sponsored by The American Legion, was not about to break a 54-year streak of consecutive Veterans Day tributes.
On the dais were American Legion National Adjutant Rodney K. Rolland, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Veterans Day Council President Doug Haggan, an Air Force veteran and past national vice commander of The American Legion.
Roudebush VA Medical Center Director Michael Hershman, a 29-year Army veteran who served in the war in Iraq, emphasized the importance of family members – especially caregivers – in the lives of veterans.
Certain other themes flowed in the speakers’ words. Service after discharge. Veterans strengthening their communities. The importance of peer support, as illustrated by The American Legion-borne Buddy Check program, which is now also a national Department of Veterans Affairs initiative.
“Programs like the Buddy Check initiative, supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs and organizations such as The American Legion demonstrate the spirit of servant leadership in action,” said retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. Brad Staggs, emcee of the service. “Across the country, veterans make it a habit to reach out to one another, not because they are told to, but because this is what leaders do.”
Staggs then issued a challenge to about 100 in attendance. “Some have even created a Buddy Check Thursday as a weekly reminder to call, text or visit a veteran. I challenge each of you to do the same. Make connection a habit, not an afterthought.”
Hershman, the keynote speaker, told attendees that serving as director Roudebush VA Medical Center – hub of VA care in Indiana – is “like Christmas every day, like the Super Bowl,” because he gets to walk the corridors of the 3,100-employee facility and meet with veterans and their families. “I see heroes in every direction – and not just our veterans – but family members who accompany them, the caregivers.”
Hershman told attendees about the medical center’s evolution in recent years, bringing care closer to veterans where they live through new and coming clinics in the region, expanded mental health services, as well as those for women veterans.
He explained that the American Legion-backed PACT Act of 2022 has also increased demand for care at Roudebush. “We have picked up several thousand veterans in the past couple of years that were otherwise (previously) ineligible for care.” The measure, which recognized multiple conditions related to toxic exposure in the military as service-connected, opened VA health-care eligibility for some 3.5 million post-9/11 veterans.
Repeatedly, Hershman reminded attendees about the role of military families. “Service is not just courage under fire,” he said. “It’s the strength of families back home, and friends and caregivers supporting our veterans while they serve throughout the world.”
As a former combat officer in multiple medical commands, he knows firsthand the complexities of the post-9/11 veteran. “Some came home. Some did not come home. Some came home bearing the invisible wounds of war that I am proud to assist them with. It takes all of us to help our veterans, and help each other, to heal.”
At one point in the service, Hershman said, he could hear his wife’s voice in his head. “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the families and caregivers. My wife followed me around the world, took care of the kids while I was in Iraq. In the Army, some of you remember that motto years ago: we enlist the soldier, but we retain an Army family. I could only serve through the great support of my wife, my parents, my cousins and brothers … and I’m sure it’s the same for many of other veterans. On Veterans Day, thank you, veterans, for your service, but also, thanks to the families and the caregivers that keep the home steady, get the kids off to school … while we’re off defending the country.”
City of Indianapolis Director of Veterans Services Ron Rice, an Air Force veteran, shared a message from Mayor Joe Hogsett about the pride the city takes as a beacon of support for those who served in uniform.
“This is something we take a lot of pride in in Indianapolis – no matter what is going on the city, in this state or anywhere in this country,” Rice shared with attendees. “My hope is that you feel honored and respected by your city, not just on Nov. 11, when we formally recognize you, but all year-round, because those ideals you fought for – justice, peace, liberty – they do not expire after today. Your service to this country and its people lives on in the freedoms we enjoy every single day.”
Joshua Waddell, senior advisor to Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, shared the thoughts of the governor and a point all speakers repeated – that veterans strengthen the nation through continued service. “Throughout Indiana, veterans are leading in their communities,” Waddell shared. “Veterans are serving as business leaders, parents, mentors or in service organizations like The American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS and PVA. Our state is a better place because of Hoosier veterans.”
The colors were presented at the ceremony by the Arsenal Tech High School Junior ROTC, and a Shortridge High School trio of singers performed the national anthem.
- Honor & Remembrance