City, state leaders announce initiatives to help veterans, commemorate history.
Under a bright blue sky streaked by wispy clouds, thousands paid their respects to those who served their country during Indianapolis’ annual Veterans Day service and parade on Friday.
On the steps of the Indiana War Memorial, dignitaries including Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indiana National Guard Adjutant General Major Gen. Courtney Carr spoke about the importance of Veterans Day, originally a day to commemorate the end of World War I.
The War Memorial proved a fitting site for the event, then, not just because it was also built to commemorate World War I, but because Friday’s event served as a kickoff to next year’s centennial recognition of U.S. participation in the war.
Retired Brig. Gen J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of Indiana War Memorials, read a proclamation from Indiana Gov. and Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence that declared Friday “World War I Commemoration Kickoff Day” in the state.
Goodwin noted that states across the country were preparing for the 19-month-long commemoration of U.S. involvement in World War I—the U.S. officially entered the war April 6, 1917, and the war ended Nov. 11, 1918—but the proclamation he read from Pence noted Indiana’s significant involvement in the war.
That includes James Bethel Gresham, a soldier from Evansville who was one of the first three American combat casualties in World War I; Samuel Woodfill of Jefferson County, Indiana, a Medal of Honor recipient who was among the three soldiers chosen to dedicate the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921; and The American Legion, the organization formed after the war whose national headquarters is located just north of the Indiana War Memorial.
Hogsett also took the opportunity to announce the city’s partnership with the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to participate in the Hidden Heroes Cities Initiative.
“Nationwide, Hidden Heroes Cities provide a network of communities committed to unifying resources critically needed to support veterans and their caregivers,” Hogsett said. “Over the coming weeks, we will launch a steering committee led by our county’s veterans service officer to assess existing resources for veterans and their caregivers, and to help determine benchmarks and goals for Indianapolis.
“We do this because we cannot forget what our brave men and women are fighting for. We cannot forget the sacrifices made by our loved ones. We cannot forget to honor the memory of those who took their last breath defending our country. We cannot forget that you are what makes this country great.”
After the service, which included a victory wreath laying, tolling of the bell from the USS Indianapolis and a flyover by the 122nd Fighter Wing, over 80 units including high school marching bands and Legion posts participated in a parade around downtown Indianapolis.
- Veterans Day