Be a part of Indiana’s first Memorial to the Indiana National Guard
This Memorial, when completed in late 2007, will be the culmination of a project that took seed in October 2002, when Flanner and Buchanan sponsored, for the first time in Indiana history, the first public “welcome home” ceremony for members of the Indiana National Guard returning from active duty in Bosnia.
Since that time, the idea of celebrating and commemorating the notion of the citizen/soldier, the National Guard member, grew from discussion to concept to the decision to erect the Memorial tribute.
There are various ways you can show your support for the Indiana National Guard. Several levels of giving are available, making it affordable for everyone to become a supporter of this structure that will be dedicated to those who have served from the Guard’s formation in 1801 to the present and into the future.
Judge Paul H. Buchanan, Jr., commented on the purpose of the memorial: “To build a memorial to the men and women of the Indiana National Guard, both Army and Air. This memorial should remember the past, be relevant to the present, and carry its impact into the future. We not only want to recognize their individual sacrifices, but also celebrate their service.”
The setting, on the grounds of Washington Park East Cemetery, Funeral Center and Community Life Center, will be visible to those driving by Washington Street, the Old National Road. Located in the southeast corner of the grounds, the Memorial will be comprised of a fountain in Lake Potomac; a glass background (containing an etching of the traditional Minuteman); “The Rescue,” a larger-than-life bronze statue of a Guardsman in modern gear, holding a child, sculpted by Bill Wolfe; and bricks, benches, and flag poles.
Location
Location of the memorial on the grounds of Washington Park East Cemetery: The entire memorial will be located east/southeast of Lake Potomac in the southeast corner of the Washington Park East Cemetery property. The memorial, which will be lighted at night, will be visible to motorists traveling along E. Washington St., U.S. 40, The National Road.