A fitting tribute

With every year that passes, fewer and fewer World War II veterans are around to thank for their service.

The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs reports that only about 500,000 of the 16 million men and women who served in the war are still alive. For New Whiteland officials, that made it imperative to add a new feature at Proctor Memorial Park thanking those veterans for their service.

“I’m beyond thrilled we have the opportunity to honor these people for what they’re done,” said Maribeth Alspach, New Whiteland clerk-treasurer and one of the driving forces in the creation of Proctor Park. “It’s so sad that we have so few of them left to know that we’re doing this for them.”

Proctor Park has become a sanctuary for families and veterans to come enjoy nature while paying tribute to the sacrifices made by veterans and others to protect our freedoms. On Saturday, the park’s newest addition will be unveiled.

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Officials will dedicate a new World War II Memorial during a special ceremony featuring patriotic songs, a presentation of thank you notes to local veterans and a keynote address by Retired Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

The hope is that World War II veterans and their families will have a contemplative place to visit, while helping the community understand the importance of their service.

“I don’t think any of us understand the depth of their sacrifice, what the service to their country meant to them and their families,” Alspach said.

Proctor Park is a public greenspace that began as a tribute to Sgt. Joseph E. Proctor, a Whiteland Community High School graduate and former New Whiteland resident killed while serving in Iraq in 2006.

New Whiteland officials wanted to honor his death, and turned an 11-acre parcel of land off of Tracy Road into a monument park with a playground, walking trails and fishing pond. Individual memorials recognize veterans of all military branches, as well as police, fire and first responders.

A special monument remembers Indiana military personnel killed since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2003. A series of brick pillars features the names of every Indiana veteran who died in the Vietnam War.

“To me, it’s sacred ground,” Alspach said. “I really hope more people learn about it, bring their kids there and picnic and fish and play on the playground. But at the same time, I hope they tell their kids that we live such an amazing life compared to other parts of the world, and it’s because of the names in the park that we have this life.”

The new memorial sits in a quiet corner of the park, overlooking the pond. The monument itself is a representation of the USS Indianapolis, the ship that secretly carried parts for the first atomic bomb and was later torpedoed, resulting in the loss of 880 people.

A nearby placard explains the history of the ship. At the base of the monument, a stone describes the site as a “tribute to the Greatest Generation, those men and women who served and Sacrificed during World War II.”

With this new World War II Memorial, the idea was to offer an area of the park where veterans of the war and their family members could reflect. The space would also provide an opportunity for younger generations to understand the overwhelming sacrifice that veterans and families made during World War II, Alspach said.

Her own father served in the Navy during the war. She remembers her mother telling her that during the entirety of his service, the young couple only spoke to each other one time.

“We take so much for granted sometimes. Unless you lived through that, I don’t think you really appreciate the sacrifice,” Alspach said.

The dedication ceremony will include a mix of reverent military protocol and celebration. The VFW will provide a color guard, while an honor guard will give a three-volley salute followed by the playing of “Taps.” Local Cub Scout Troop 264 will recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Goodwin will speak specifically about the USS Indianapolis and its relevance in ending World War II, and other local politicians are scheduled to attend. Gov. Eric Holcomb could not attend the ceremony, but he did pen a letter that will be read to the assembled crowd.

One of the most unique aspects of the event will be a “mail call,” a callback to the old military tradition of soldiers stationed overseas receiving mail from back home. For the past three months, community members and students have written letters, notes and cards to veterans thanking them for their service. 

During a special ceremony, those messages will be distributed to the veterans in attendance, Alspach said.

The dedication ceremony is a special celebration for those involved with Proctor Park, and their mission has been to get as much of the community involved as possible. Dozens of people have donated services or time to make the event possible, Alspach said.

Clark-Pleasant schools is offering its buses as shuttles from the nearby parking lot at Break-O-Day Elementary School. A tent with chairs has been donated to offer visitors shade and rest if they need it. Members of the Whiteland Community High School football team will serve as ushers helping visitors to their seats.

“I think it’s going to be a really special day,” Alspach said.

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World War II Memorial dedication ceremony

When: 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: Proctor Memorial Park, 499 Tracy Road, New Whiteland

Keynote speaker: Retired Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission

Parking: Available at nearby Break-O-Day Elementary School and adjoining soccer fields, and if needed, Sawmill Woods Elementary School. Shuttle buses will be running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take people to and from the ceremony.

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