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Medal of Honor Memorial
Downtown memorial honors those awarded the nation's highest
military commendation
Updated: 08-07-2000
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John Finn, the oldest living Medal of Honor recipient
stands in front of the memorial. (Staff photo
by Mpozi Mshale Tolbert)
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On May 28, 1999, a new memorial to Medal of Honor recipients
was dedicated in downtown Indianapolis at the White River State Park.
John
Hodowal, chairman of IPALCO
Enterprises spearheaded the campaign for a monument to honor winners of the
Medal of Honor - the nation's highest military award for bravery and valor during
combat. In January of 1999 construction of the memorial began.
IPALCO Enterprises paid for construction and upkeep of the
memorial - using money from shareholders. The monument, located in White River
State Park, is composed of 27 walls of curved glass, each between 7 and 10 feet
high.
At the time of its dedication, the memorial listed the
names of all 3,410 medal recipients etched in glass. In May 2000 additional
names were added honoring Asian veterans who received the medal in the past
year. The memorial can be expanded to include more names as new awards are given.
The monument was designed with a sound system, so that each
day at dusk visitors can hear stories of bravery. The monument was designed
by Indianapolis landscape architects Eric Fulford and Ann Reed.
Dedication ceremonies were held May 28, 1999. Nearly 100
of the 158 living recipients attended. The next day recipients were featured
in the Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade. They were also honored guests at the
Indianapolis 500 on May 30th.
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