Indiana War Memorial wants your help

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indiana War Memorial is seeking assistance to rename its two large event/meeting rooms and the board room. The meeting rooms are currently named after Gen. George Patton and Gen. Douglas Macarthur, while the board room is named after Adm. Chester William Nimitz. 

“These flag officers made tremendous contributions to both world wars, and our intent to rename the rooms means no disrespect to them in any way. The fact is these great leaders have no connection to Indiana and our mission is to honor Hoosier veterans,” said Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of the Indiana War Memorial commission. 

“There have been many Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the military over the years, and we think it is time to honor three of them by naming these rooms in our museum,” said Goodwin. According to Goodwin there are many Hoosiers from which to choose: Adm. Raymond Spruance, who led the Pacific battles in World War II; Gen. Bedell Smith, who was the chief of staff for Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower; Madge Rutherford Minton and former first lady of Indiana Josie Orr who ferried fighters and bombers to the war theater in World War II; Col. Robert Moorhead, who was instrumental in bringing the American Legion headquarters to Indianapolis; Maj. Gen. Robert Tyndall, who took Indiana Guardsmen to France in World War I and was later an Indianapolis mayor; Ernie Pyle, noted journalist of World War II; and 74 Hoosiers who have received the nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, including the only two living Hoosier recipients Melvin Biddle and Sammy Davis. Yet these heros are only a starting part, according to Goodwin. 

The intent in naming the rooms is directed to 4th and 5th grade Hoosier children. These are the grades in which they study Indiana and American history. Of course the opportunity is open to anyone, and the War Memorial commission encourages all history buffs to send their nominations and justifications no later than May 1, 2009 to the Indiana War Memorial, 431 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204. The commission hopes this initiative will encourage our young people to get into the history books and learn about Hoosier Heros, while giving them the opportunity to assist us in recognizing these leaders and their contributions to freedom.  

The results will be announced on Armed Forces Weekend in mid-May. 

POC: Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, Executive Director, Indiana War Memorial

         431 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, Ind., 46204

         Telephone: 317 232 7616

         sgoodwin@iwm.in.gov  or www.in.gov/iwm

Source: Indiana National Guard Press Release