06/15/2025
Today is the 16th Anniversary of the dedication of the Fallen Hoosier Heroes Memorial for Enduring Freedom. It is also the 250th Birthday of the United States Army and, of course, Flag Day.
Our patriotism is at an all-time high right now as we celebrate this day in history. Please remember our Fallen Heroes. For without them, we would not be able to celebrate days like these.
God Bless the USA and our Fallen Heroes. Never forget.
This was posted 6 years ago:
From Flag Day 2009 to today, 10 years have gone by since the dedication of the Fallen Hoosier Heroes Memorial for Enduring Freedom. A lot has happened since then. What started out as handmade crosses in a front lawn this Memorial became revitalized with larger crosses, limestone bases, a Walk Among Heroes walkway, a platform with the five service flags, US flag, Indiana State flag, Gold Star flag, Memorial flag, four dedication plaques, and two large stones.
Represented here are the lives and memories of our Hoosier's and Nation's Heroes who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for all of us since the War on Terror which began October 7th, 2001. Not only have these young men and women sacrificed so much but their families as well.
Dave and I have been a part of this wonderful Memorial since Dave's Step-Dad and founder Don Peed passed away in 2005 due to the end effects of agent orange he was exposed to in Vietnam. It was Dave's vision, dedication, and hard work along with the blessing of Dave's Step-Mom, Carol Peed that organized a Memorial Board and remodeled the Memorial to what it became on Flag Day June 14th, 2009.
We have met so many wonderful people along the way - Gold Star families, our Board members, members of the community and first responders of Westfield, and many Service Members and Veterans of the Armed Forces. I could sit here all day and name you all, but that would take a very long time. You all know who you are and we have been very privileged to get to know you.
We tried to do our best with what little means we had for the Memorial. Actually, the only three ceremonies we had in the beginning were footed mostly by my own life savings which I do not regret to this day. Hoping we would be able to fundraise and keep the Memorial going forever has unfortunately come to an end. As many of you may know, running a non-profit is not an easy job and can be very costly especially when you're working full time jobs to make a living also.
We regret to inform you and with great convictions from our hearts that we are in the process of dissolving our non-profit. We are giving it over to the Stanley E. Banks, Sr Carmel VFW Post in which Dennis Zavada is aleady taking care of and has been since the beginning of the Memorial's inception.
In the meantime, the Memorial is in deep need of fundraising. Not only do you have the upkeep of the Memorial itself like limestone bases, Memorial plates, flags, flag poles, lights, flowers, and lawn maintenance. You also have insurance, accounting services, lawyer services, website fees and services, paper costs for flyers and mailing services.
If you would like to see the Memorial continue you can write a tax deductible check out to the Carmel VFW Post 10003, 12863 Old Meridian St., Carmel, IN 46032. Please write "Fallen Hoosier Memorial" on the For line of the check. If you have questions, want to chat about the Memorial or help in any way you can contact Dennis Zavada at 317-538-9902.
We are hoping the VFW can do a better job at fundraising than just two ordinary people. I will try to keep the pages as long as it is agreeable with the VFW.
Dave and I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support whether it has been words of comfort, your services, or financial giving. You are the reason we have kept going so long.
Never forget our Fallen and their Families! May God Bless each and everyone of you!
Shelley DuBois-Davis and Dave Davis
Treasurer and Chairman of
The Fallen Hoosier Heroes Memorial for Enduring Freedom 🇺🇸
