The Indiana War Memorials Foundation is devoted to honoring veterans and their service to the nation. To commemorate their bravery and sacrifice, the foundation has erected a number of memorials throughout the state, including honor bricks engraved with veterans' names, ranks, branches, and dates. A visit to these memorials will take you on a journey through history, from the First World War to the Civil War and beyond. The First World War memorials in Indiana are particularly noteworthy.
Unlike previous war statues and structures, these memorials serve as places of collective mourning for those who lost their lives in battle. The Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis is one of the only American World War I monuments on the mainland of the United States. It features realistic exhibits, uniforms, weapons, and combat reenactments, including a walk through a trench simulation. There is also an interesting model of the entire downtown Indianapolis area.
The decision to establish this monument was due to a desire to attract the American Legion, an organization of World War I veterans, to locate its headquarters outside Washington D. C. Local newspaper articles proclaimed that it competed with “the best monuments in Europe” and that it would only improve Indianapolis's reputation. It's also important to note that most Americans who died during World War I were buried in American cemeteries across Europe.
Visiting the grave of a loved one was impossible for many Americans, a key difference from the Civil War. The Indiana World War Memorial also serves an emotional purpose for families of those who died during their military service abroad. Other memorials in Indiana include the Soldiers and Sailors Monument (three blocks south of the Indiana War Memorial), which openly shows national triumph, and the Medal of Honor monument, which tells stories of courage. This week in 1863 marks an important moment in Indiana's military history: General John Hunt Morgan led his Confederate soldiers to southern Indiana in what was the largest incursion during the Civil War. In accordance with the state of Indiana's mandate to cover their faces, visitors must wear a face covering inside the Indiana War Memorial and Museum. Take a moment to explore all that Indiana has to offer in terms of war memorials. From honor bricks to realistic exhibits and combat reenactments, these memorials are sure to leave you with a greater appreciation for those who have served our country.
