Indiana Legion Headquarters host family day, 9/11

Indianapolis – The Indiana Department of The American Legion hosted Legion Day, a day for veterans, families and the community to come together at Legion Headquarters near Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison, Northeast Indianapolis, in remembrance of Patriot Day, 15 years after the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

The day’s events included the Indiana Legion’s 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Run for Veterans, a 9/11 remembrance ceremony featuring keynote speaker Indiana National Guard Brig. Gen. Michael Osburn, the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Museum groundbreaking ceremony featuring inductee American Legion Past National Cmdr. Jim Koutz, and a free picnic luncheon for veterans and their families. Some of the nation’s best veteran service officers will be on-hand to provide free VA benefits filing assistance, management and advice to veterans.

“We want to thank our Hoosier veterans, active military and reservists, and their families, not with our words, but with our actions,” said James B. May, commander of The American Legion, Department of Indiana. “And it’s an honor to be able to do this on a day that’s been so significant in shaping the last 15 years of our history, 9/11. Bring your families, get some exercise, enjoy a picnic, and help us honor our nation’s veterans of all eras.”

Our experienced Department Service Officers were on-hand to provide benefits management and advice for free to all veterans regardless of Legion membership. The National Guard and Army Reserves displayed up-armored Humvees, LMTVs and set up an obstacle course for children.

The day was free to participate and all donations went to the Indiana Veterans Emergency Transition System, a fund developed by The American Legion, Department of Indiana to provide emergency financial assistance to veterans in need.

​Order of Events:

Onsite Veterans Benefits Management Services Provided Free of Charge
The American Legion, Department of Indiana Service Office provided free VA benefits management to veterans regardless of Legion membership status. As always, veterans were given the opportunity to file new claims, make adjustments to existing claims, work VA appeals or just gain useful information and advice from our staff of highly experienced veterans service officers.

Our service officers maintain an excellent rapport and work in close proximity to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office, downtown Indianapolis. They are some of the best in the nation and are passionate about securing the benefits earned by those that served. Veterans are encouraged to bring their discharge paperwork, military documents and medical history to file their benefits claims.

5k Walk/Run for Veterans The 2nd Annual 5k Walk/Run for Veterans
The 5k Walk/Run for Veterans kicked off the day’s events at The American Legion, Department of Indiana Headquarters. T-shirts were available for purchase for $20 with 100% proceeds going to the Indiana Legion's iVETS (Indiana Veterans Emergency Transition System) fund.

The system provides emergency funds to Hoosier veterans in need. Register for the 5k and pre-order your T-shirt below. “The purpose of this Walk is to raise public awareness about the crucial issues facing America’s veterans and their families,” said The American Legion, Department of Indiana Cmdr. James B. May from Bloomington, Ind. “An estimated 22 veterans a day commit suicide."

"Traumatic brain injuries have become a signature wound of the Global War on Terrorism and up to 20 percent of the men and women who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are believed to experience Post Traumatic Stress..." "Veterans still have difficulty receiving health care in a timely manner and many have been waiting years to have their disability claims resolved. We owe it to those who served our country to never forget their sacrifice and devotion. We are running for those who marched for us.”

9/11 Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony
The ceremony solemnly remembered those we lost, and their families, both on 9/11 and in the ongoing wars since. As 2016 marks 15 years since that infamous day, we collectively remind ourselves to NEVER FORGET. Congresswoman Susan Brooks and Indiana National Guard addressed the crowd of Legionnaires and veterans to remember the souls lost on 9/11, and for our service members that made the ultimate sacrifice since.

Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Groundbreaking
The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame museum conducted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame, with hall of fame dignitaries, honorees, government officials and Legion VIPs participating to dig the earth on the south lawn of The American Legion, Department of Indiana Headquarters.

The museum will be built on the grounds of The American Legion, Department of Indiana. The IMVHOF's objective is to publicly emphasize the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana military veterans and their families. Learn more at: http://imvhof.com/

"I am proud that so many Hoosiers are working to honor our state's veterans by founding the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will recognize the selflessness, personal sacrifice and heroic actions of our service men and women from around the state," said Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly. "It will be a valuable resource to educate us about their military accomplishments, while also highlighting their personal and professional contributions to their communities, our state and the nation. It is only fitting that we should recognize the importance of their contributions to our freedom, and while we can never fully repay our debt for their service, this institution is an opportunity to express our respect and admiration.