Stories

According to an article at: https://www.army.mil of the 3,498 service members who have received the Medal of Honor throughout U.S. history, only 88 have been black. The first was Army Sgt. William H. Carney.

He earned the honor for protecting the United States' greatest symbol during the Civil War -- the American flag.

On Saturday September 24th the Veterans National Memorial Shrine & Museum located at 2122 O’Day Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46818 announced a new Gold Star Families memorial coming to the grounds.

In addition to the Woody Williams Foundation's support, Terry Hudson, former board member, and his family generously supported the installation with a $50,000 donation.

For those unfamiliar with  the Merci Train, here's additional information.

In 1949, Indiana was gifted one of 49 Merci Train railroad box cars. This gesture was in response to and with appreciation from French citizens after more than 700 American box cars of relief goods was sent to them, including donations by many individual Americans.

Donations from the Merci Train came from over six million citizens of France and Italy in the form of dolls, statues, clothes, ornamental objects, art, and furniture.

Fort Wayne, In Jan. 25th The Veterans National Memorial Shrine & Museum
has recently been awarded the 2022 Concrete Achievement Award by the Indiana
Ready Mixed Concrete Association for the construction of the Vietnam Wall. The
Award was presented to Commander Greg Bedford, Chris Harmon Director of
Field Operations for Hagerman Construction, as well as Shawn Hacker, Forman
on the wall project from Hagerman, in Indianapolis on Monday January 17th.

Fort Wayne, IN: The McComb Family Foundation donated $25,000 for a
Granite Columbarium to be built at Veterans National Memorial Shrine and
Museum, 2122 O’Day Road.

On Saturday, November 27, 2021, a ceremony was held by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 47 to honor all military personnel. They presented a Red Poppy Wreath and a framed poem of "In Flanders Field" by John McCrea in 1915.

Plan a visit to the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum to see this special gift and the entire collection.

The Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum has been recognized for the board's commitment to ensure there will always be a place, "Where no veteran will ever be forgotten."

Fort Wayne, IN: On Tuesday, July 27th the Veterans National
Memorial Shrine and Museum will host a Korean War Veterans
Armistice Day Ceremony from 11am to 1pm at the Shrine Pavilion
located at 2122 O’Day Road. Korean War Veterans and their families
are invited to attend. There will be a ceremony honoring Korean
Veterans in attendance. Antoinette Lee will be the featured speaker
at the event. Snacks and refreshments will be served.