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Last Year's (2020) Award Recipients:
The Dr. John Morton-Finney Public Service Award
The Dr. John Morton-Finney Public Service Award is the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc.’s most prestigious award. It is presented annually to an honorably discharged Hoosier veteran whose entire life is characterized by the same selfless service exemplified by the members of our nation’s Armed Forces. The award is named for Dr. John Morton-Finney, the first recipient of the award. A former Buffalo soldier and World War I veteran, Dr. Morton-Finney served Indianapolis as an educator, lawyer, and humanitarian for most of the 20th century and continued to assist his fellow citizens until he died in 1998 at the age of 108. Dr. Morton-Finney set an example for public service against which many generations will be measured. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present Colonel John W. “Jack” Querfeld, U.S. Army (ret) the 2020 Dr. John Morton-Finney Public Service Award.
The Robert G. Moorhead Award for Retired Military
This award is given in memory of Major General Robert G. Moorhead. General Moorhead served in the Army during World War II and joined the Indiana National Guard upon his return, eventually rising to the position of 38th Infantry Division Commander. Throughout his life, MG Moorhead had a major impact like few others in the city of Indianapolis. He exemplified service to his country while in uniform and service to his community, state and nation as retired military. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., presents this award annually to a retired service member who has continue to make a valuable contribution to the military, active duty, Guard, Reserve and veterans. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present Vice Admiral Terry M. Cross, U.S. Coast Guard (ret) the 2020 Robert G. Moorhead Award for Retired Military.
Francis Polen Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Veterans
This award was established in 1982 as a tribute to the late Francis Polen and to honor those whose voluntary service to veterans exemplifies the dedicated service of Francis Polen. Francis Polen was a founding member of the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, which was established in 1963, and he was a past Council president and served as the Council’s corporate treasurer until his passing in 1981. Congratulations to Mr. John Fancher, recipient of the 2020 Francis Polen Memorial Award for Outstanding Service Veterans.
The Pro Patria Award for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
The Indiana Committee for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) annually recognize a business or organization with its highest honor. The Pro Patria Award is presented to an employer who demonstrates exceptional support for our national defense by adopting leadership practices and personnel policies which make it easier for employees to serve in the National Guard and Reserve. This year two employers received recognition. Congratulations to Monarch Beverage Company in Lawrence, Indiana and Sam’s Distribution Center of Greenfield, Indiana as recipients of the 2020 Pro Patria Award for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve.
Major General Robert Moorhead and Major General Charles Whitaker JROTC Scholarship Awards
For over 10 years, due to the generous donations of our sponsors, the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., has been able to donate two $1,000 college scholarships to deserving cadets participating in the JROTC program at their Indianapolis high school and who demonstrate outstanding performance. In Indianapolis those high schools include: Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Shortridge, George Washington, Emmerich Manual, Thomas Carr Howe, Ben Davis, North Central, Warren Central, and Pike. Each year it is an extremely competitive board to select two outstanding recipients for these prestigious awards. This year the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present the 2020 Major General Charles W. Whitaker JROTC Scholarship Award to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Andre Williams of Crispus Attucks High School, and the 2020 Major General Robert G. Moorhead JROTC Scholarship Award to Cadet Major Giselle Salinas-Delgado of Crispus Attucks High School.
The Dr. John Morton-Finney Public Service Award is the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc.’s most prestigious award. It is presented annually to an honorably discharged Hoosier veteran whose entire life is characterized by the same selfless service exemplified by the members of our nation’s Armed Forces. The award is named for Dr. John Morton-Finney, the first recipient of the award. A former Buffalo soldier and World War I veteran, Dr. Morton-Finney served Indianapolis as an educator, lawyer, and humanitarian for most of the 20th century and continued to assist his fellow citizens until he died in 1998 at the age of 108. Dr. Morton-Finney set an example for public service against which many generations will be measured. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present Colonel John W. “Jack” Querfeld, U.S. Army (ret) the 2020 Dr. John Morton-Finney Public Service Award.
The Robert G. Moorhead Award for Retired Military
This award is given in memory of Major General Robert G. Moorhead. General Moorhead served in the Army during World War II and joined the Indiana National Guard upon his return, eventually rising to the position of 38th Infantry Division Commander. Throughout his life, MG Moorhead had a major impact like few others in the city of Indianapolis. He exemplified service to his country while in uniform and service to his community, state and nation as retired military. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., presents this award annually to a retired service member who has continue to make a valuable contribution to the military, active duty, Guard, Reserve and veterans. The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present Vice Admiral Terry M. Cross, U.S. Coast Guard (ret) the 2020 Robert G. Moorhead Award for Retired Military.
Francis Polen Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Veterans
This award was established in 1982 as a tribute to the late Francis Polen and to honor those whose voluntary service to veterans exemplifies the dedicated service of Francis Polen. Francis Polen was a founding member of the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, which was established in 1963, and he was a past Council president and served as the Council’s corporate treasurer until his passing in 1981. Congratulations to Mr. John Fancher, recipient of the 2020 Francis Polen Memorial Award for Outstanding Service Veterans.
The Pro Patria Award for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR)
The Indiana Committee for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) annually recognize a business or organization with its highest honor. The Pro Patria Award is presented to an employer who demonstrates exceptional support for our national defense by adopting leadership practices and personnel policies which make it easier for employees to serve in the National Guard and Reserve. This year two employers received recognition. Congratulations to Monarch Beverage Company in Lawrence, Indiana and Sam’s Distribution Center of Greenfield, Indiana as recipients of the 2020 Pro Patria Award for Employer Support to the Guard and Reserve.
Major General Robert Moorhead and Major General Charles Whitaker JROTC Scholarship Awards
For over 10 years, due to the generous donations of our sponsors, the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., has been able to donate two $1,000 college scholarships to deserving cadets participating in the JROTC program at their Indianapolis high school and who demonstrate outstanding performance. In Indianapolis those high schools include: Arsenal Tech, Crispus Attucks, Shortridge, George Washington, Emmerich Manual, Thomas Carr Howe, Ben Davis, North Central, Warren Central, and Pike. Each year it is an extremely competitive board to select two outstanding recipients for these prestigious awards. This year the Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis, Inc., is pleased to present the 2020 Major General Charles W. Whitaker JROTC Scholarship Award to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Andre Williams of Crispus Attucks High School, and the 2020 Major General Robert G. Moorhead JROTC Scholarship Award to Cadet Major Giselle Salinas-Delgado of Crispus Attucks High School.
Governor Eric Holcomb, a Navy veteran, speaks at the Indianapolis Veterans Day Service held on the north steps of the Indiana War Memorial, downtown Indianapolis.
The Indianapolis Veterans Day Parade, Pennsylvania Street.
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The Veterans Day Council of Indianapolis is a voluntary, 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization whose primary purpose is to bring about a wholesome and constructive relationship between the community and veterans of our Armed Forces. The activities of the Council culminate in our annual observance of Veterans Day.
In the mid 1960's, some civic-minded individuals decided that the City of Indianapolis needed to honor Indiana Veterans with a special observance of Veterans Day. Many of the smaller cities and towns in Indiana as well as many Service Organization Posts in Indianapolis did indeed recognize Hoosier Veterans on this special day, but there was no citywide observance of what was initially known as Armistice Day. Through the joint effort of civic leaders, military leaders, educators and the business community, a committee was formed to organize appropriate recognition events for a Veterans Day observance. Records of those early organizational meetings are not available, and it was not until 1972 that the first official records of the Veterans Day Council were created. All the records from 1972 to 2014 are available in bound volumes in the library of The American Legion National Headquarters. Today Veterans Day in Indianapolis is observed in much the same way as in those early years, with a Veterans Day Service, a Parade and a Banquet. The Veterans Day Council is now incorporated, but its charge has not changed since it was organized in the 1960's - - to appropriately recognize the Veterans of Indiana so that their deeds and sacrifices will not be forgotten. |
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Veterans Day EventsThe culminating Veterans Day events organized by the council include a special Breakfast/Awards Program, Veterans Day Service, the Veterans Day Parade.
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SponsorshipDonate to an honorable cause and be recognized for your generous contribution. Inquire here about our several comprehensive donation packages.
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MediaVeterans Day Council of Indianapolis officers are always available for public comment to promote the recognition of our nation's veterans.
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Thank you to our sponsors for helping us honor our veterans! |
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