The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza is five blocks long and home to the American Legion National Headquarters. In the foreground is Depew Memorial Fountain in University Park. The Indiana War Memorial is seen in the background.
The Central Canal runs through White River State Park and is home to the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial. Curved glass walls represent medal recipients from the Civil War through Iraq and Afghanistan. A sound system plays recorded stories of medal recipients.
The Indiana World War Memorial is comprised of Neoclassical architecture. The Shrine Room inside is stunning with red marble and materials from around the world to symbolize the global nature of World War I, 24 stained-glass windows and a 30-foot-tall American flag hanging over the Altar
of Consecration. The museum in the lower level illustrates the state’s participation in wars throughout its history.
The limestone Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Monument Circle, designed by Bruno Schmitz, is 284 feet high and the iconic heart of downtown. The Col. Eli Lilly Civil War Museum is in the lower level. Visitors can climb the 330 steps to the top or ride an elevator to get an eagle-eye view of the city from the observation deck. The monument is only 15 feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty.
I ndianapolis is more than just the storied Hoosiers and fabled Brickyard of the Indianapolis 500 race, especially when it comes to honoring U.S. veterans.
Washington, D.C., may be considered the cornerstone of veterans' memorials, but Indianapolis easily ranks second. The Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District located downtown contains two museums, three parks and 24 acres of monuments, statues, sculptures and fountains, ranking it second nationally in acreage and number of monuments dedicated to veterans. It is also home to the national and state headquarters of the American Legion.
According to Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin (USAF retired), "There's no other place like this in the country. Indianapolis has more acreage in the nation devoted to veterans." Almost 200,000 visit the memorials each year.
As executive director of the Indiana World War Memorial, Goodwin, a 37-year Air Force veteran, adds, "Indiana has provided, based on population, more service members (in all conflicts) than any other state. I've never seen another place where they treat veterans and honor them this well. The folks here are very down to earth ... and they're very patriotic."
The memorials, conveniently located within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center, home of the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo, include the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the tallest memorial to Civil War veterans in the U.S.
The Indiana World War Memorial sits 210 feet above street level; this mausoleum-style limestone and marble memorial pays homage to Hoosiers killed during World Wars I and II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. A military museum in the basement allows visitors to follow the history of Indiana soldiers from the Battle of Tippecanoe through the most recent conflicts.
"Once we get them in the building, we've got them. The structure and architecture is amazing," says Goodwin.
The mall itself also includes memorials for World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as Veteran's Memorial Plaza. The USS Indianapolis Memorial recognizes those who died on the last U.S. ship to sink in World War II. Of the approximately 1,200 sailors on board, only 317 survived.
Goodwin notes that one of every 10 people has served in the military. "We try to educate the 90 percent about what the 10 percent did," he says.
