Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Have Served and Sacrificed

Memorial Day is not just a day off for Americans.  The day is observed in remembrance of the men and women who have given their lives so that the living can have a life of freedom. For Hoosiers it’s remembering people like the ones who died in the U.S.S. Indianapolis disaster during World War II. It’s honoring the Pearl Harbor survivors who attended the Indy 500 Sunday.

“This day signifies so much,” said Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, chief of staff of the U.S. Army, during a Friday Memorial Day event. “It’s a time of remembrance, a time to reflect on the tragic price paid by our nations service members.”

In our capital city of Indianapolis, there will be services at at least two cemeteries.

There is an early service at Washington Park East. That starts at 9:30 a.m. and the keynote speaker is Lt. Gen. Courtney P. Carr, adjutant general of Indiana.

At Crown Hill Cemetery, Gatling gun and Civil War equipment demonstrations will precede the Sons of Veterans service at 11 a.m., a brass quintet concert at 1:30, and a keynote speech by Sen. Dan Coats at 2:00 p.m..