LAWRENCE — Hoosiers will see a lot of red, white and blue for the Fourth of July, but the star-spangled banner carries a different weight for those who fought for the flag.
The Field of Honor outside of the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame in Lawrence pays tribute to veterans for Independence Day. 500 American flags are flying on the lawn, each with a name tag for a different service member from Indiana.
Lew Mathis, a master sergeant in the United States Marine Corps who served in Vietnam and Lebanon, quickly found the flag in his honor.
"This is one of the greatest things that can happen," Mathis said. "It recognizes the guys that have been there. You don't know what it does to our heart when we get some form of recognition."
Faith Martinez helped lead the effort to raise the flags on Wednesday. Her family has deep connections to the military.
"My dad and husband were all in the Army, and my son was in the Air Force," Martinez said. "I have an uncle and brother-in-law who were in the Marines and a brother-in-law who was also in the Army."
Martinez hopes the flags and the stories behind them can unite Indiana for Independence Day.
"This flag means peace, happiness and freedom, and we need that," Martinez said.
Mathis also wants Hoosiers to come and see the Field of Honor.
"It's amazing," Mathis said. "People should come out here and see how many flags there are for veterans from Indiana. It brings tears."
-
Feeling cooped up? Hoosiers share how they handle winter cabin fever
Wednesday is the fourteenth straight day of high temperatures below normal in Indianapolis. Some Hoosiers are feeling a bit feverish, that is, cabin fever.
Indiana State Police spend $1.17M on new guns amid national safety concerns
Indiana State Police purchased 1,350 Sig Sauer P320 pistols at a total cost of $1.17 million, including holsters.
Speedway providing bottled water to residents amidst Boil Water Advisory
Community officials said the town purchased cases of bottled water on Wednesday, which will be available for residents for the next couple days.
Mail delivery resumes after delays in Avon
Some residents in Avon said Tuesday they were relieved after finally receiving mail that had not been delivered for more than a week following a snowstorm.
