500 Festival Memorial Service

Hundreds of people gathered at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis on May 23 for the 500 Festival Memorial Service, including American Legion National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger and National Adjutant Daniel Wheeler, who was co-master of ceremonies. Photos by Lucas Carter / The American Legion.
A garrison flag hangs over Meridian St. at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A garrison flag hangs over Meridian St. at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Carnations were given out at The 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014 to be laid at wreaths. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Carnations were given out at The 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014 to be laid at wreaths. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Servicemembers line the path from The Columbia Club where Gold Star Families were honored to the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Servicemembers line the path from The Columbia Club where Gold Star Families were honored to the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indiana National Guard SSgt Jacob Cash speaks with a young service member at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indiana National Guard SSgt Jacob Cash speaks with a young service member at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger was a guest of honor at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger was a guest of honor at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Gold Star Families in the front row at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Gold Star Families in the front row at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Navy servicemember brings in their service flag at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Navy servicemember brings in their service flag at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The service flags are saluted as they are brought in at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The service flags are saluted as they are brought in at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indiana National Guard SSgt Jacob Cash salutes after revealing an empty chair with the POW MIA flag at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indiana National Guard SSgt Jacob Cash salutes after revealing an empty chair with the POW MIA flag at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard speaks at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard speaks at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Gene and Dona Griffin, father of fallen parents of Army Sgt Dale R. Grifin, who was killed in Afghanistan on October 27, 2009, remeber their son at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Gene and Dona Griffin, father of fallen parents of Army Sgt Dale R. Grifin, who was killed in Afghanistan on October 27, 2009, remeber their son at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
General Frank J. Grass speaks at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
General Frank J. Grass speaks at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Navy servicemember stands at attention after ringing the bell of the U.S.S. Indianapolis after the names of fallen Hoosier veterans are read at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Navy servicemember stands at attention after ringing the bell of the U.S.S. Indianapolis after the names of fallen Hoosier veterans are read at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan sings
Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan sings "Amazing Grace" at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A woman gives the remarks in sign language for the hearing impaired at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A woman gives the remarks in sign language for the hearing impaired at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Ryan (left) and Amy Parker (2nd from left, not pictured) remember Amy's brother Cpl. John C. Bishop, as wreaths are laid at the steps of Monument Circle in front of Gold Star Families Indianapolis, Indiana during the on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Ryan (left) and Amy Parker (2nd from left, not pictured) remember Amy's brother Cpl. John C. Bishop, as wreaths are laid at the steps of Monument Circle in front of Gold Star Families Indianapolis, Indiana during the on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A servicemember leads the cortege at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A servicemember leads the cortege at the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler, the Co-Master of Ceremonies for the 500 Festival Memorial Service, held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana, draws attention to the garrison flag flying over Meridian St. on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler, the Co-Master of Ceremonies for the 500 Festival Memorial Service, held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana, draws attention to the garrison flag flying over Meridian St. on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The casisson passes in front of the garrison flag during the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The casisson passes in front of the garrison flag during the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Bob McElwain lays a carnation flower at the wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers after the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Bob McElwain lays a carnation flower at the wreaths in honor of fallen soldiers after the 500 Festival Memorial Service held at Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, May 23, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.