National adjutant serves as parade’s grand marshal.
The 2024 Indianapolis Veterans Day ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial Monday paid tribute to all who have served, past and present, of all eras, all service branches. Master of Ceremonies Ron Montague, commander of the Indy Metropolitan Military Honor Guard, told the crowd on a brisk, sunny morning that veterans are living examples of the nation’s highest ideals.
“Our veterans are not simply a part of a past,” he said. “They are a powerful, ongoing influence on the principles that founded America.”
With National Adjutant Rodney Rolland seated at the dais of the majestic memorial just south of American Legion National Headquarters, alongside Indianapolis Veterans Day Council President Doug Haggan, a past national vice commander, Montague also spoke of the challenges many veterans face after discharge.
“When we think of war wounds, we often picture the visible scars, the injuries that require surgeries, prosthetics and recovery,” he said. “Yet, some of the deepest wounds are the ones we cannot see. These invisible wounds are battles that many of our veterans fight daily. Today, we acknowledge these struggles and renew our commitment to stand by our veterans as they heal.”
He specifically highlighted two American Legion programs, and VA’s support for them – Buddy Checks and the Be the One mission to prevent veteran suicide.
“One of the most impactful programs is the Buddy Check initiative, a collaborative effort where veterans reach out to one another, checking in on their well-being and reminding each other that help is always near,” Montague said. “This Veterans Day, let each of us consider how we can be the one – the one to make a difference in a veteran’s life, whether by participating in a Buddy Check, learning about suicide prevention, or simply reaching out to a veteran. We can all play a role in creating a supportive community for those who may need immediate assistance.”
American Legion National Headquarters Be the One Manager Tony Cross, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and accredited service officer/appeals representative who has helped hundreds of veterans understand and apply for disability benefits, was the keynote speaker and placed a wreath at the memorial in honor of all who have served.
He spoke from the heart about the camaraderie shared among veterans and how they can – and do – help one another in ways only those with shared experiences can understand. Cross urged veterans in attendance to share their stories so all will have a clearer understanding of what it means to thank a veteran on Veterans Day.
“Your story is the best story,” he told the crowd. “And your story needs to be told. Sometimes, someone just needs to hear your story to change their life. So, when someone says thank you, don’t be afraid to talk about yourself.”
Others can learn, he suggested, by understanding the “brotherhood and sisterhood” of service. “We’re always there for one another.”
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett made the point in his remarks that those who have not served in the U.S. Armed Forces cannot completely grasp the commitment required of servicemembers. “When we thank them for their service – no matter how genuine we may be – we thank them for something that we do not fully understand,” Hogsett explained. “We thank them for sacrifices that many of us cannot even begin to imagine.”
Montague suggested that public support for veterans can run deeper than a ceremony once a year. “Honoring our veterans today means more than applause. It means taking action and ensuring that they feel the support of a grateful nation.”
Rolland, also a Marine Corps veteran, served as grand marshal for the Veterans Day Parade, which included Junior ROTC units, bands, veterans organizations, vintage military vehicles, fancy sportscars, community service groups and labor unions – all of whom marched and rolled past the American Legion National Headquarters and circled the Indiana War Memorial and American Legion Mall.
- Honor & Remembrance