A large patriotic crowd for the May Lunch & Learn heard a presentation by Brigadier General J. Stewart Goodwin USAF (Ret.), the Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials.
General Goodwin has served many military assignments including as an ICBM officer in a missile silo, chemical warfare officer, National Guard assignments and as commander of two F-16 fighter wings.
After a brief video showing the exterior and interior of the War Memorial Museum, General Goodwin stated Indiana is second in the number of memorials, behind only Washington, D.C. and first in acreage dedicated to honoring veterans. The museum has many interactive kiosks as well as full-size displays of military equipment. The video had many notable Hoosiers voicing their support of the museum and its related facilities.
A little know activity General Goodwin oversees is connecting with veterans in hospice care to let them and their families know the value of the service they performed. In the past, 10% of the population served in the military and the other 90% needs to know the sacrifice they made to preserve our freedom. Today, one-half of 1% of the population is on active duty. Technology allows a smaller of military personnel to monitor surveillance and deploy weapons on targets identified by a constant stream of information from drones and satellites around the world. The current military may not seem “tougher” than in the past but it’s definitely “smarter”, stated General Goodwin.
An alarming statistic is the number of veterans committing suicide — twenty to twenty-four veterans a day, which is four times the number of deaths due to combat losses. He encouraged prayers for veterans and their families, as well as for current military personnel.
General Goodwin mentioned that the G.I. Bill was written in Indianapolis. This legislation was a great assistance to the sixteen million service personnel coming back after WWII to further their education.
Concerning the many monuments the War Memorial maintains, the General pointed out the limestone needed for repairs comes from a still active quarry in the Bedford area, where the stone originated many years ago. The limestone is desirable since it is easily carved and shaped. This limestone was used in constructing the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at the center of Indianapolis as well as the Pentagon and many other buildings and monuments.
A question from the group about the American Legion eligibility requirements led General Goodwin to explain the American Legion was formed during WWI in France. With Indianapolis’ reputation as “The Crossroads of America” due to railroad and highway accessibility at the time, the American Legion located here to best serve the returning veterans. The American Legion offices and mall are on the property north of the War Memorial Museum building, and he stated he would get an answer to this veteran’s question.
Everyone enthusiastically thanked General Goodwin for his service and presentation by singing “God Bless America”.
—Submitted by Oliver Queen (AKA ?)
The Indiana War Memorials website can be viewed at www.in.gov/iwm/.
Enjoy the photo gallery of this event.
Adult Ministry LunchnLearn 2022-05
Adult Ministry Lunch & Learn, May 2022
