The Memorial

Description of the four elements of the memorial: Memorial to include the following elements:

1) Larger-than-life bronze statue of Indiana National Guardsman holding child by sculptor Bill Wolfe – kneeling on platform in shape of state of Indiana. Statue, called “The Rescue,” to face east.

2) Behind “The Rescue” – to the west - will be a glass backdrop that will have etched on it the traditional

3) Minuteman figure – a man leaving his plough to take up arms in defense of his country.

4) A landscaped plaza with flag poles, benches, and pavers.

A fountain in Lake Potomac – further west - will be the fourth element in the memorial.

Inscribed on the memorial will be George Washington’s words: “When we assume the soldier, we do not lay aside the citizen.”

The architectural firm responsible for the overall memorial context is RQAW Consulting Engineers and Architects, with the lead architect being Bret W. Dodd, AIA. RQAW is involved in the architectural, civil, and structural design of the memorial.

Indiana National Guard History

The Indiana National Guard was founded 15 years before statehood. This quote by George Washington, speaking of the men who took up arms in the Revolutionary War, has also been symbolic of the men and women of the Indiana National Guard. Along with the Minuteman figure, the quote will be a part of the Memorial.

The Guard has been called to federal service in every war and armed conflict which has faced our nation over the past 200 years. More than 7,000 soldiers and 2,300 airmen have served in Iraq, Qatar, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, Slovakia, Korea, Viet Nam, Germany, and elsewhere in the world and at military installations across the United States.

In addition, at many other times, the Guard has been called into service to assist with disaster relief or to help maintain law and order within our state’s borders.