A tribute to those who have served during the U.S. War on Terror

MAY 27, 2021 table of c o n t e n t s ★ ★ ★ a b o u t t h e PROTECT & LEAD Former Camp Atterbury commander recalls terror attacks PAGE 3

FAITH & FORTITUDE provided support at Pentagon This weekend the Bartholomew County community will once again take PAGE 6 the time to honor its military veterans with various Memorial Day activities. A LIFE OF SERVICE Efforts will commence on Friday, as the Columbus Philharmonic’s Retired CPD officer free, annual SALUTE! concert will be held on the lawn next to the Bar- served in multiple wars tholomew County Memorial for Veterans and the county courthouse. PAGE 8 In conjunction with the concert, The Republic publishes an annual section ‘HEAR THE THUNDER’ » The man responsible for dedicated to veterans also called SALUTE. The project aims to tell the sto- SALUTE’s military might loves the ries of those who served their country. patriotic noise PAGE 10 This year’s section features veterans that have served during the U.S. War on Terror, as Sept. 11, 2021 will mark 20 years since the start of the interna- COMMITMENT & tional military campaign. SACRIFICE Army veteran filled variety We hope that you take the time to honor a veteran this weekend, and of roles in 32 years thank you for helping make SALUTE! a success every year. PAGE 15 — Jordan Morey, assistant managing editor AMBITION Pillar felt destined to serve in military PAGE 16

MENTORSHIP Vet’s 27 years of service shaped post- military life PAGE 18 SALUTE! CONCERT FULL CIRCLE Columbus has always been home for Also inside this section is a four-page retired Air Force colonel pullout for the annual SALUTE! concert PAGE 20 A FREE Community Concert to Honor Our Veterans on Friday, May 28. COVID FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 * 7:00 PM RECOMMENDATIONS: WHAT TO KNOW Second and Washington Street, Columbus, IN on the grounds of BEFORE YOU GO: the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. • Th e Columbus Indiana (Rain Location: Erne Auditorium – Columbus North High School) Philharmonic is limited to PAGES 11-14 Th ere will be four zones designated for 250 people each. 1000 attendees. You will receive a colored wristband when you enter the zone. • Social distancing is highly ‘NO HESITATION’ recommended. Ground and Food Concessions Open at 5pm • Masks are requested when away from your group. Military roots run deep in Guard Premier sponsors: • Please do not set up chairs or blankets in seating Columbus Indiana Philharmonic areas prior to 5:00 p.m. Board of Directors Dave and Jo McKinney recruiter’s family City of Columbus

Bartholomew County Commissioners PAGE 22 IN-35075784

PAGE 2 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary SALUTE MICHAE IN-35076107 BRT-3307C-A Ryan Burchfield, Financial Advisor Financial Advisor (812) 378-0611 Paul Dayment 812-378-0022 ★

9/11 20th Anniversary financial review. Stop by orcontact meto schedulea designed to helpyou reach your financialgoals. Edward Jonescanhelpyou create astrategy you, even after theharvest. Keep your crop working for L MCG CFP® O Bob Lewis,Bob AAMS® WEN | WEN Financial Advisor Financial Advisor (812) 378-2012 (812) 378–5495 David E Weiss 812-375-9160 Columbus, IN47201 713 ThirdSt . Financial Advisor Lisa Duke ARMY » John Hayden,

Andy Mann, Financial Advisor Financial Advisor (812) 378-0475 (812) 378–1018 retired Col.MichaelMcGowen, former commanderofCampAtterbury. “We hadbeen morning ofSep.11, 2001, nobody hadexpected thattheU.S.would beatwar by noon. Since 1942,ithasbeenthebusinessofCampAtterbury to prepare for war; butonthe extremely busy allsummer. Ithinkwe didaround 700,000training days andseveral AAMS® special events duringtheyear leadingupto 9/11. Everyone was busy wrapping up “It was aquietmorning—anunusuallyintheheadquarters. Iwas working away atmy deskwithoutaclueanything irregular was happening,”said AAMS® R P Heath Johnson, Financial Advisor Financial Advisor (812) 378-0022 812-378-0475 Eric McClurg BRT-3307C-A tect e ot AAMS® you, even after theharvest. Keep your crop working for financial review. Stop by orcontact meto schedulea designed to helpyou reach your financialgoals. Edward Jonescan helpyou create astrategy Drew Robbins, Member www.edwardjones.com reports whenthephonerang.” 812-375-9160 Columbus, IN47201 713 ThirdSt . Financial Advisor David E Weiss Financial Advisor 812-376-3439 AAMS® &

(SEE LEADPAGE 4) SIPC Eric Robbins, CFP® Financial Advisor (812) 342-8193 terror attacks commander recalls Former Atterbury STOR Y B Jim Ostermueller Y CECELIAELLIS|PHOTOS B Financial Advisor Member www.edwardjones.com (812) 376-0370 , AAMS® SIPC David E. Weiss David Financial Advisor (812) 375-9160

M a y 27, 2021 | y 27, 2021 Y JANA JONES , CFP® PAGE 3 PAGE LEAD Continued from page 3

McGowen’s administrative assistant, Judy Boyd, answered the first call. It was from her granddaughter, Rachael, telling her she needed to turn on the TV because “something really crazy was going on in .” “We turned on the TV and saw the plane (crash into) the side of the north tower of the World Trade Center. I thought it must be a terrible accident until, as we were watching, the second plane ran into the south tower,” Mc- Gowen said. “It was pretty clear then that something else was going on.” A certified professional engineer, McGowen watched in horror as the fires spread in the towers. “I was pretty sure the way the planes hit combined with the heat of the fires that the buildings would come down,” McGowen said. “In a way, it showed the buildings were very well built or they would have come down sooner. Still, it was sickening to see them fall. All those people inside, all those firemen and women and police who went in just trying to help, all of them gone.” After President George W. Bush announced the United States was “at war,” a third plane hit the Pentagon and another crashed in a Pennsyl- vania field. Col. Michael P. McGowen is pictured with his wife Janie at his home in Scipio. “We watched it unfold on television, but I still had no clear information on became the site of one of the largest component status (part-time) in both McGowen also worked as the chairman what we should expect next,” Mc- military hospitals in the nation, and the Air National Guard and Army of the National Board of Training Gowen said. “I remember thinking we operated as a POW camp for enemy National Guard. Centers. had to watch everything and everyone soldiers captured during the war. Following graduation, McGowen “I learned a lot about how a training because anything could happen next.” Following WWII, Atterbury was accepted a full-time position with the center should be operated,” McGowen As the facility manager and mili- closed until 1950 when it was reopened Indiana State Board of Health. said. tary commander of Camp Atterbury, for the . In 1981, he reported for his first tour It would be the job McGowen’s it was McGowen’s responsibility to By 1954, it was closed again and sat at Camp Atterbury and served as an military unit to operate Atterbury on protect Camp Atterbury’s 40,000 acres deserted until 1969 when the National engineer for four years. In 1984, Mc- a full-time basis if the post was ever of property and assets. It was also his Guard took control of most of the Gowen transferred to the Indiana Air activated for the purpose of mobilizing and training soldiers for active duty in responsibility to protect and lead the installation. Guard and accepted a job at Hulman Field in Terre Haute. an emergency. civilian and military personnel who For 30 years, the Guard worked to McGowen served at Hulman Field “Soon after I arrived at Camp Atter- worked there. rebuild Camp Atterbury as a training until 1988 when he transferred to bury as the commander, I decided to “I remember thinking about the site for all branches of the military the Army National Guard. He then have an exercise designed to prepare Camp Atterbury motto ‘preparamus,’ service and civilian first responders. served at Camp Atterbury until 1993 everyone to mobilize the post,” Mc- which means ‘we are ready,’ and I By the turn of the 21st Century, At- before transferring to Stout Field in Gowen said. “Really, I formulated the prayed we were ready for whatever terbury was one of the three largest . exercise to bring everyone together to might come next,” he said. military training centers in the nation. As a civilian engineer, McGowen work for a common goal. A historic post Rising to the top held numerous positions before being “As it happened though, if we had not Carved from 40,000 acres of south- McGowen graduated from Rose- appointed as the civilian manager of participated in that exercise, I am not central Indiana farmland — spanning Hulman Institute of Technology in Atterbury in October of 1999. sure we would have been ready to meet three counties — Camp Atterbury was Terre Haute in 1976. Having completed McGowen was simultaneously ap- the demands that followed 9/11.” built in 1942 as an U.S. Army post. ROTC, McGowen was commissioned as pointed as the military commander of A major response During WWII, more than 250,000 a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army Atterbury in April of 2000. He arrived Camp Atterbury was not activated Army soldiers were trained for combat Reserve. as a lieutenant colonel and was soon immediately following 9/11, but at the facility. The federally-owned Throughout his military career, Mc- promoted to the rank of colonel. and operated military installation also Gowen consecutively served in reserve While serving the state at Atterbury, (SEE LEAD PAGE 5)

PAGE 4 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary In October of 2002, McGowen At first we just used it pretty much McGowen file LEAD left his position as Camp Atter- like it was. It was just like any Continued from page 4 bury commander to return to the town anywhere and it provided all Name: Michael M. McGowen Guard’s headquarters at Stout kinds of urban fighting scenarios.” Age: 69 training cycles increased right Field in Indianapolis and begin Through the years the Guard has away. the work of designing an urban added training fields like flooded Branch: Army National Guard, Air Active duty Army Special Forces warfare training facility. villages, bombed-out buildings, Guard units and the Navy Seals increased “I was working away on that train wreck sites and other chal- Years of service: 32 their training across the post’s project when my wife called to tell lenging scenarios to the hospital : retired as ci- ranges and specialized training me Gov. Evan Bayh was closing grounds. The Muscatatuck Urban Non-military career facilities. Large numbers of indi- the Muscatatuck State Hospital Training Center is now considered vilian professional engineer in 2016. vidual Reserve and National Guard in Butlerville,” McGowen said. “I as a one-of-a-kind urban training Military awards and decorations: units also rapidly reported into made a trip to take a look at the facility in the entire nation. Legion of Hoosier Heroes; Indiana Camp Atterbury for training prior hospital grounds to see if it would McGowen retired from the Guard Distinguished Service Medal; In- work as an urban training site. to their deployments. in 2009 and from his civilian job in diana Commendation Medal; Indiana “We designed a program that Muscatatuck was about as perfect 2016. Humanitarian Service Medal; Army encouraged the use of the In- as anything we could build and we He and his wife Janie currently Meritorious Service Medal; Army diana Guard Reserve members to could never afford to build any- live in Scipio in a large log cabin Achievement Medal; Army Reserve help fill in the extra demand and thing quite like it. “ they built together. They love Commendation Medal; Army Reserve shortage of full-time staff,” Mc- According to McGowen, there spending time with their grandchil- Gowen said. “They were amazing.” was a problem in getting the Component Achievement Medal (7); The need for increased training soon-to-be-abandoned hospital and dren and working on projects at Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2); Na- for the War on Terror’s Middle grounds. The hospital had already the Scipio Methodist Church near tional Defense Medal; Army Service Eastern urban settings soon be- been ceded to the Department of their home. Ribbon; Air Force Outstanding Unit came obvious to national military Natural Resources. McGowen spends most of his Award; Air Force Long Service Award. training authorities. “It took a lot of work to get that time in his 1,200-square-foot wood- Family: wife, Janie McGowen; son, The Guard soon decided to de- settled, but we did eventually get working shop — making everything LTC. Mathew (Laura) McGowen; sign, fund and build a facility that the hospital,” McGowen recalled. “I from furniture to toys for the daughter, Jennifer (David) Herr; six replicated the situations encoun- am not sure that would have hap- grandchildren. He also plays the grandchildren. tered in urban warfare. pened if it had not been for 9/11. piano for his church.

Veteran Owned & Operated!

Think Home. Think Window World.

Exterior Home Solutions 812.372.0008 Visit our Columbus Showroom at 1636 State Street windowworldscindiana.com IN-35076239

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 5 ERIC ERKKINEN | ARMY STORY BY JORDAN RICHART | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES

Answering the call Erkkinen was celebrating a colleague’s birthday at the U.S. Intel- ligence & Security Command Center at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on Sept. 11, 2001. This meant he and other colleagues were only 12 miles away from the U.S. Pentagon, which was the site where hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed. “It was all over the TVs,” Erkkinen recalled. “Being at that place, they had a mission and assessment process going on, so we were like most people watching and waiting while the first responders were doing what they could at the site of the building. I remember it shut down all traffic.” By the end of September, Erkkinen had received a phone call from the of- fice of the Chaplain Corps requesting that he help with search and recovery operations at the Pentagon. He was to serve as a chaplain for first re- sponders, military personnel, doctors There are three words that seem and anyone involved in the cleanup. simple in meaning, and remembering “I said, ‘I will do whatever you need them is an easy task: family, friends, me to,’” Erkkinen recalled. and faith. When Erkkinen arrived at the As straightforward as those terms Pentagon, rubble and the aftermath may seem, they can be a source of still lay on the ground as search strength, peace, understanding, sup- crews continued to look for those who port and more — in both good times perished in the attack while cleaning and bad. up the area. Erkkinen explained that »It’s proven to be more than a mantra there was more of a process that had for retired U.S. Army Chaplain Eric to be followed to clean up the Pen- Erkkinen. tagon because the nature of materials The Columbus resident has recited kept there. those words to soldiers and veterans “There were files and papers and countless times throughout his 30-year physical material that needed to be & F O RT I t u D E military career. secured, so it took a lot of time to do “Those three things become an that part,” he said. “They had to make anchor for you when the world falls sure none of it was compromised.” apart,” Erkkinen said. “Those three Rows and rows of wreckage pulled things will mitigate and give you from the building were set in a the resiliency of all you will need to parking lot where people would look Chaplain provided endure.” for remains and documents through Erkkinen hasn’t just given advice to the ashes, glass, concrete and other support at Pentagon others, he has lived his words through material, he said. his many experiences in both life and “I happened to watch a cadaver while serving his country. It was those dog, Otto, who would literally crawl three words that carried him through gingerly through the broken debris a difficult period during our nation’s most devastating tragedies. (SEE faith PAGE 7)

PAGE 6 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary SALUTE stantly over thecourse oftwo weeks, would bedifficultto dothatwork con- he said. examined by adoctor andzippedup,” mains asthey were putinto bodybags, time. military andresponders theentire Erkkinen was asteadyhandfor the magnitude ofthesituation.However, times overwhelming task given the the two weeks hewas there, asome- van. mains were loadedinto arefrigerated and thenaccompany themasthere- prayer before they removed remains, Unknown Soldier. trusted withkeeping theTomb ofthe said ofTheOldGuard, whoare also tating group from TheOldGuard. pick uptheremains ofonelost.” said. “Hewould alertthemandthey’d carefully andthenpause,” Erkkinen Continued frompage 6 f IN-35076109 One probably couldimaginethatit “I would have aprayer over there- This happenedquiteabitthroughout Erkkinen would leadthesoldiers in “It’s avery specialunit,”Erkkinen That work was conductedby aro- aith Contact Nichols Body Company Body Contact Nichols Today ESTIMATES! FREE for Heavy TrucksHeavy -Pickups &Vans -American &Foreign Cars For Your Collision Professional Repairs We Salute Our Veterans! WeSalute Our (812) 372–2557 Use Only EnvironmentallyUse Only Friendly Water Paints Based ★

3081 National N. Rd. •Columbus 9/11 20th Anniversary N Auto &Mechanical Repairs Body CompanyInc. ichols

Monday–Friday 9:00–5:00 Helping families of the deceased the of families Helping this typeofcrisis.” ence. Thatcanbeareal challenge in demonstrate strength andGod’s pres - kinen said. “They neededsomeoneto responded. which includedvisitsto doctors who mortuary affairs sectionoftheeffort, things.” were stillthere taking care ofother and rescue was done,” hesaid. “They EMT workers even afterthesearch hours, thenvisitwithfiremen and and otherentertainment. could decompress amongtelevisions ation centerwhere first responders including visitingtherest andrelax- he said. “Itwas difficult.” tate andnotdothatwork for too long,” burden onthechaplains. response soitwould easesomeofthe rotate between different areas ofthe but Erkkinensaidthechaplainswould Fields hadonlybeenworking atthe he willnever forget isEmiliaFields. throughout thosetwo weeks, butone “They neededministrytoo,” Erk- They alsowere assignedto the “You’d go there for two orthree There were otherareas ofministry, “The chiefofchaplainstold usto ro- Erkkinen remembers serving many lumbus May 7. arepicturedathishomeinCo- Erkkinen Photographs chaplainEric belongingtoretired Army was partofthegroup ofmilitary months following theattack. Erkkinen covered orconfirmedfor nearlytwo was herbirthday. when shediedintheattack. Italso transferred from anothermilitary site Pentagon for two days afterbeing IN-35076108 Fields’ remains would notbedis- Honoring allthemenandwomen who havesacrificed somuch or elevators. on onefloorsothere are nostairs In fact,ourentire communityis all much more allunderasingle roof. billiards room, alarge Chapeland ly equippedfitnesscenter, library, are spacious diningrooms, anice- right withinthecommunity. Residents have somanyoptions beginning. all withpatios, but that’s just the comfortable andwell-appointed, you enjoy. staying engagedwitheverything hobbies, diningwithfamilyand plenty ofspace forsocializing, your lifestyle.Four Seasons has mean thatyou have todownsize Downsizing your residence doesn’t LIVING LARGE Proudly serving seniorsandVeteransProudly serving 1901 Taylor Road, Columbus, Indiana THANK YOU! www.fourseasonsretirement.com Ourapartments are for ourfreedom. in Columbus A non-profit,faith-based,financiallysecurecommunity 812-372-8481 There preferred retirement communitysince 1967. show you whywe’ve been theColumbus area’s to visit Four Seasons. choice foryou oraloved one,makeanappointment If you’re wondering if seniorlivingis theright provided by trusted Four Seasons staff members. social opportunities, assisted living services are addition todelicious meals, transportation andgreat The service atFour Seasons is just asimpressive. at she got homefrom work. Thatcake he expected to share withherafter baked acake for herbirthday that notification. officials whomadetheofficialdeath www.fourseasonsretirement.com since 1967. since Her husband, aretired marine, had A BHI SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY COMMUNITY LIVING SENIOR BHI A Itwillbeourpleasure to Columbus, IN 47203 47203 IN Columbus, 1901 Taylor Road Road Taylor 1901

(SEE f Four Seasons 812.372.8481 aith PAGE 24) In In

M

a or elevators. on onefloorsothere are nostairs In fact,ourentire communityis all much more allunderasingle roof. billiards room, alarge Chapeland ly equippedfitnesscenter, library, are spacious diningrooms, anice- right withinthecommunity. Residents have somanyoptions beginning. all withpatios, butthat’s just the comfortable andwell-appointed, you enjoy. staying engagedwitheverything hobbies, diningwithfamilyand plenty ofspace forsocializing, your lifestyle.Four Seasons has mean thatyou have todownsize Downsizing your residence doesn’t y 27, 2021 | y 27, 2021 LIVING LARGE Ourapartments are PAGE 7 PAGE A non-profit,faith-based,financiallysecure community

There preferred retirement communitysince 1967. show you whywe’ve beentheColumbus area’s to visit Four Seasons. choice foryou oraloved one,makeanappointment If you’re wondering ifseniorlivingis theright provided by trusted Four Seasons staffmembers. social opportunities, assisted livingservicesare addition todelicious meals, transportation andgreat The serviceatFour Seasons is just asimpressive. at www.fourseasonsretirement.com A BHI SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY COMMUNITY LIVING SENIOR BHI A Itwillbeourpleasure to Columbus, IN 47203 47203 IN Columbus, 1901 Taylor Road Road Taylor 1901 Four Seasons 812.372.8481 In In

MIKE BROWN | AIR FORCE STORY BY CECELIA ELLIS | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES

a l if e o f

Retired CPD officer served in multiple wars

Former Columbus Police De- — especially at the gas stations,” partment Officer Mike Brown’s Brown recalled. “I guess people life changed in an instant as he didn’t know what would happen drove his squad car up and down next and they thought they might the peaceful streets of Columbus not be able to get gas for their on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. cars. They were crowding into “I was on the north side of the gas stations and the dis- Columbus when I heard the agreements would break out. announcement coming across “Just when we would get one the radio that a plane had just disagreement settled, we would flown into one of the World Trade get another call from another »Center,” Brown recalled. “Like a station. It got a little crazy. I lot of people, I thought someone think people just panicked a had just made a terrible mistake little. We didn’t make many ar- ... until I heard that a second rests that day but we sure did a plane had hit the other tower. lot of peacekeeping.” Then I pretty much knew my On Sept. 13, Brown received his country was under attack and orders to return to active duty. nothing was going to be the same Brown has spent most of his for any of us from then on.” adult life in police and security In shock, Brown had a feeling work in both the civilian and his time at CPD wouldn’t last military worlds. much longer. Brown, who had Just two weeks after gradu- been deployed during the Gulf ating from Silver Creek High War, was enlisted in the U.S. Air School in Sellersburg, Brown Force Reserves — so he knew joined the U.S. Air Force in 1976. the chances of deployment were After completing basic high. training, he completed advanced “I felt sad and then I felt mad,” training in military police and Brown said. “I just knew I had security procedures. He served a job to do here (in Columbus) on active duty until 1980 when on that day. Because of what he left the Air Force and moved had just happened in New York, in with his mother Patsy Brown I also knew that I would soon and sister Susan Pease in New- be leaving to do a different job burg, Indiana. someplace else.” While completing civilian As reports of the attack on police training at the Indiana the Pentagon and the downed Law Enforcement Academy, he aircraft in Pennsylvania came learned of an upcoming opening across the news broadcasts, the at the CPD. He applied for the previously quiet morning turned job and was hired in 1981. into a very busy afternoon for While working additional hours CPD. in security at the Columbus “There were a lot of disagree- hospital, he met a young nurse ments breaking out across town (SEE Service PAGE 8)

PAGE 8 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary SALUTE of menandwomen duringthemost worked withsuchanawesome group Brown said. “I’msovery proud to have the peopleIserved withatGrissom,” Grissom AirForce Base. buildings, equipmentandaircraft at of maintaining securityofpersonnel, Squadron were given theresponsibility Their lives are alsoaffectedgreatly.” of military members doserve too. want to mentionhere thatthefamilies glue thatheldourfamily together. Ido ities duringthoseyears. Laura was the Butler. Imissedmostalloftheiractiv- junior highyears andBrad’s years at Brown said. “Itwas duringAllie’s my family mostofthosetwo years,” but itwas stillhard to beaway from assigned to GrissomAirForce Base, activated againafter9/11. of theAirForce Reserve untilhewas job asaCPDofficerAndmember time. Dakota for three monthsduringthat Laura‘s birthday. Heserved inSouth ordered to active dutyonhiswife at GrissomAirForce Baseeachyear. also served two weeks onactive duty with the434rd SecuritySquadron. He also served two days amonthonduty serve, Brown remained withCPD,but Force asareserve. until 1987whenherejoined theAir Allie. they raised sonBrad anddaughter 1984 andsettledinColumbuswhere named Laura. Thecouplemarriedin Continued frompage 8 Servic

IN-35076231 “I was very fortunate to serve with Members ofthe434Security “I was fortunate thatmy unitwas Returning home, heresumed his During theGulfWar, Brown was As amemberoftheAirForce Re - Brow n remained incivilianstatus ★

9/11 20th Anniversary people Godcreated usto be.” to thefullestand bethekindofgood Americans. We shouldalllive thislife gave us, we are allfortunate to be around. That iswhatmakes theworld go we shouldhearallthedifferent views. America, we stillallhave avoice and we shouldfixthem,”Brown said. “In and we don’talways agree abouthow time inthemilitary. any challenge, andisthankfulfor his cans, we rose upandwe overcame.” and mostofusfeltthepain.AsAmeri- brought to ourknees. We were hurt ally are. On9/11, asanationwe were we learnedjusthow vulnerable we re- felt safeasanationbut,onthatday, 2001,” Brown said. “As Americans, we learned somethingontheday of9/11 in tivities atFirst ChristianChurch. much oftheirfree timeinshared ac- students. teaches martialartsto around 100 Jiu-Jitsu inColumbus, where henow and operated theBrown’s Brazilian functions. training andotherimportant police he stillteachespolicetactics, firearms Police Academy inPlainfield where 2005, Brown took ajobattheIndiana and retired from theAirForce in2004. admired himsince.” It really meantalot.Ihave always would comeinandencourage usall. I really never knew Pillar before. He Though we were from thesametown, Columbus duringmy timeatGrissom. (then) Brig.General MarkPillar from difficult oftimes. “At theendofthisday theCreator “Sure, today we are facing problems Brown feelsthattheU.S.cantackle “I think,asAmericans, we all Currently, Mike andLaura spend Since 2016, Brown hasalsoowned Soon afterretiring from theCPDin Brown returned homeinAprilof2003 “I was alsofortunate to get to know Columbus. operates Brown’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsuin Plainfield since2005; currentlyowns and teacher attheIndianaPolice Academy in Captain(1981-2005);lice Department career: Post-military 29 Years service: of Branch Age: Name: Brown file IN-35076105 63 Mike Brown : AirForce, AirForce Reserves Columbus Po- Elliot Brown. Brown; daughter, AllieBrown; grandson, Family: arrest by performing CPR. cessfully reviving two people incardiac Ribbon, 1982Officerofthe Year for suc- Marksmenship duct Medal,SmallArms Medal,GoodCon- Service Meritorious awardsMilitary and decorations: wife, Laura; son,Brad (Valerie)

M a y 27, 2021 | y 27, 2021 PAGE 9 PAGE

WAYNE BAKER | ARMY STORY BY BRIAN BLAIR | PHOTOS BY MIKE WOLANIN

in the U.S. Air Force who has long been among the SALUTE! organizers, has mentioned more than once that getting one howitzer for a Memorial Day weekend event is significant. He has said that getting three or four is nearly unheard of these days. He was originally the person who se- cured the military machinery before Baker joined the concert organizing

committee.

“Wayne had much better connec- ‘ tions than I did,” Pillar said. ‘ h e a R t h e But Baker originally became con- nected to the local extravaganza in 2005 as one of the leaders of Scout Troop No. 588 passing out mini-Amer- ican flags at the event. He took over his current role a few years afterward. And he pointed out that getting the equipment from either Bloomington or Indianapolis, a process that begins each October, is hardly automatic. The man responsible for SALUTE’s “You have to remember that there are a lot of great events in Indiana,” military might loves the patriotic noise Baker said. “There’s a lot of compe- tition especially on Memorial Day weekend, including from events such as the Indy 500. So, it’s never really guaranteed. ... But they always come through.” The proud son of Vietnam combat Army medic Larry Baker of Co- Wayne Baker makes the annual the 52-year-old Baker said of the children pulling the chord to lumbus, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, SALUTE! concert go boom, baby. howitzers. fire a practice shot before the Wayne has regularly wished that he He’s responsible for the At the concert, the gleaming, concert. He remembers his first could share the emotional thanks he thunderous shots that seem- black Indiana National Guard SALUTE! received from the public when he ingly signal the beginning of the cannons put a huge punctuation “It was very amazing,” said returned from service in places such Memorial Day weekend in south- mark on the Columbus Indiana Baker, a VPI sourcing manager as Bosnia, and . He central Indiana. Philharmonic’s presentation of for Cummins Inc. “It was emo- thinks of that because he recalls that In fact, the relatively quiet Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic tional. It just made me so proud.” most Vietnam soldiers returned home »Columbus resident and retired “1812 Overture” that closes the David Bowden, the Phil- nationwide to anger and disrespect 24-year U.S. Army and U.S. Army event. The two to four sleek, harmonic’s longtime artistic for a conflict that stirred dissension National Guard veteran is the ceremonial weapons booming director, first proposed making among many. guy who makes sure the 105mm blanks across the sky also attract the cannons an extended part His dad and his father’s peers in howitzer cannons, the Humvees, everyone from youngsters to the of the orchestra’s celebratory Vietnam deserved better, as he sees it. the Blackhawk helicopter and young-at-heart to witness their instrumentation among a crowd “All these gentlemen had it much more make the family event a ferocious firepower up close and that often is estimated at 5,000 tougher than we had it,” Baker said. grand one along Second Street. personal. people or more. “So I have so much respect and “It’s quite amazing to hear Baker himself even once posted Columbus resident Mark Pillar, the thunder of these weapons,” a video clip of one of his own a retired two-star major general (SEE THUNDER PAGE 24)

PAGE 10 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary ey gave their tomorrows for our todays ... e columns of the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans bear the names of 183 men and one woman from Bartholomew County who were killed or died in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. e concept for the memorial is to pay tribute to all the veterans of this community, with special recognition given to these 184 who made the ultimate sacri ce. Please take a few moments to visit the memorial before or a er the concert. In the words of one observer, “ e pillars o er a profound and medi- tative space, a solemn experience which engenders a powerful sense of communal gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacri ces.” DONALD D. ALVIS GALE DIXON ARTHUR HUNTER HERBERT NEWBY CHARLES SMILEY JOSEPH ANDERSON JERRY DOWNS EDWARD HUNTER MILLARD NEWSOM BILLY SMITH JOHN ARRINGTON FRANKLIN DULONG JONATHAN HUNTER FLOYD NOE REED L. SMITH, JR. DAVID ASKEW JACK DURBIN GEORGE IRWIN NEAL NOLAND ROBERT L. SMITH JAMES ALLEN BAKER GERALD ECKELMAN JESSE JENKINS JEANNE LEWELLEN ROBERT SPICER JESSE BAKER HERSCHEL ECKELMAN EDGAR JONES NORBECK JOHN STEARNS RUFUS BAKER CARL ECKELMAN DAMON JUDD VICTOR NYSEWANDER WILBUR STEINKAMP RAYMOND BARBOUR STEVEN C. EPPERSON LOWELL KANOUSE JOHN F. OSTICK CHARLES STILLABOWER ROBERT D. BARKES AARON ESSEX ARTHUR KELLER WALTER OTT, JR. WALTER STILLABOWER JOHN A. BARLOW ROBERT FERRENBURG FREDERICK KELLER GARY PACE JAMES STOUT CLARENCE BELL DONALD FIELDS GROVER KINNEY CLARENCE PALMER JAMES STRINGER JOHN C. BISHOP CURTIS FINDLEY CHESTER LANE HARRY PATRICK JOSEPH STROUP EDWARD BLAIR WILLIAM FISHER ROBERT W. LANGWELL VIRGIL PHILLIPS JOSEPH STUCKEY HOWARD BOXMAN JOHN FUEL JAMES LARKIN LEO PLUNKETT LOUIS TABOR GLENN BOWERS, JR. FRANK GASTON CHARLES LEMING WILLIAM PUMPHREY GLEN TATEM JAMES E. BREWER WALTER GOLDEN ROBERT LIND ALAN RANDALL WILLIAM THOMPSON RONDAL C. BROWN JEFFREY GOSSETT HUBERT W. LOESCH HOMER REEDY MAURICE THORNBURG WILLIAM BROWN FREDRICK GRAHAM HARLEY LONG MILTON REEVES ERNEST TRIMPE ELBERT BUMBALOUGH LEONARD GRAHAM WILLIAM LUCAS RICHARD REGAN OSKAR TRIMPE FORREST BURNS AVERY GREEN CARL MCMILLAN HOWARD RENO JOHN TROTTER STEVEN BURTON DELMAR GREEN CHESTER MCNEALY SHERMAN RHUDE LOREN VOILES ALBERT CAMPFIELD WILBUR GUTHRIE JEREMY MCQUEARY MELVIN RICHESON KENT VOYLES THOMAS CARMICHAEL GORDON HAGGARD JOSEPH MACY FLOYD ROBERTSON EVERETT WAGNER T. DELMONTE CARPENTER WILLIAM HALE WILLIAM MADDOCK FRANCIS ROBERTSON WILLIAM WEALES GARNETT CAVENDER EARL HALL LOWELL MAHONEY MAX ROBERTSON GREGORY WEISNER DENNIS CHOMEL ERNEST HALL CASSIUS N. MARLIN BERNARD ROSS ELDON WHITIS DONALD G. CLARK RANDALL HARRIS JONATHAN MENKE JULIUS ROUPP FRANK WILCOXSON HARLEY CLARK DONALD HARRISON ERVEN MEYER FRANK SACHLABEN JOHN WILLIAMS MERLE CLARK ROBERT HAYES MARTIN MILLER FRANCIS SCHEIDT REED WILLIAMS HUGO CLAYCAMP CARL HEAGY ROBERT MILLER DAVID SCHLEHUSER SAMPSON WILLOUGHBY JESSE COCHRAN RUSSELL HENDERSON MARVIN MONROE JOSEPH SCHWARTZKOPF CARL WILSON ROBERT CODY RALPH HILL DONALD LEE MOORE RAYMOND SCROGHINES GEORGE W. WILSON EARL COLTER WAYNE HILL MAX MOUSER EMMETT SHACKELFORD ALVA WOODRUFF, JR. JOHN COX JACK HOGAN ORVILLE MOYER EDWIN SHARP BENJAMIN WOEHRMAN BEN CROUCH GEORGE W. HORTON PAUL NADING RUSSELL SHEPHERD LESLIE WOODS JOHN CRUMP JOHN HOVIS KARL NEUERT DONALD SHOAF DON WRIGHT PETER DAUM JACKIE HULSE RALPH L. DENNY JAMES ROBERT HUNT Memorial Day Observance Patriot Sponsors: Monday, May 31st Chris Raskob 9:00  — Tossing of rose petals into East Fork White River from the Eric Robbins Robert N. Stewart Bridge. is ceremony honors all military personnel Estep & Company who died in naval engagements. 10:00  — Ceremony at the veteran’s section of Garland Brook Cemetery. is ceremony is designed to be more religious in substance Friends of Salute: than other local observances. With more than 3,000 veterans buried in Automobile Diagnostics Columbus’ largest cemetery, this ceremony has been held annually since Daughters of the American 1972. 11:00  — Community Memorial Day observance at the Bartholomew Revolution County Memorial for Veterans, southwest of the county courthouse. Myers-Reed Chapel, Since the names of all veterans who have died since Nov. 11, 2019 will be read during a balloon release, the program is expected to last a full hour. Hathaway-Myers Chapel & ose in attendance are urged to bring their own lawn chairs, as well as e Columbus Crematory wear a mask, and maintain social distancing.

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 11 General Marietta Simpson Mark Pillar Marietta Simpson, known for General Mark Pillar her deeply expressive, beautiful Salute! 2021 retired a er 37 years of mezzosoprano voice, has sung Columbus Indiana Philharmonic service to his country. with every major orchestra in the United States under His last assignment was Dr. David Bowden, many of the world’s greatest at the Pentagon in the Conductor O ce of the Assistant conductors. She made her Secretary of the Air Carnegie Hall debut in 1988 Force for Acquisition. as soloist in Brahms’s Alto Marietta Simpson, His other assignments Rhapsody with the Atlanta Vocal Soloist included Da Nang Air Symphony Orchestra and Base, Republic of South Vietnam, where he served Robert Shaw. Major General Mark Pillar, as an EC-47 pilot and  ew over 90 combat missions. Ms. Simpson has also sung with many of the major European USAF (Ret.), Military Ceremonies Upon his return to the United States, he began  ying orchestras and performed on many of the great operatic stages KC-135 refueling aircra at Grissom Air Force Base, across the US and around the world. Bunker Hill, IN. In 1978, he transferred to the Air Marietta has an extensive discography, has several Grammy Force Reserve and held numerous positions within Washington Post March Sousa the 434th Air Refueling Group. General Pillar  ew nominated recordings, and was a soloist in a Grammy-Award-winning missions in support of Des ert Shield (1990), Desert recording on the Naxos label. National Emblem March Bagley Storm (1991) and the Bosnia no- y zone (1999). Her many television appearances include the Emmy Award-winning, Present the Colors During Operation Joint Force he was the vice Strange Fruit with guitarist Tyron Cooper and Emmy nominated commander of the 60th Air Expeditionary Wing, Musical reads: A Musical Journey. Among her many awards is the Star Spangled Banner Smith Rhein-Main Air Base, . Temple University Certi cate of Honor for Distinguished Alumna e Pledge of Allegiance e Posting of the Colors Mark and his wife, Linda, live in Columbus and have and the Leontyne Price Award. two grown children, Matt and Lacey and and two Marietta currently serves as Distinguished Rudy Professor of Music Salute! Songs of the Armed Forces arr. Powers granddaughters Linda and Anna Gobert. Mark serves and President-Elect of the Bloomington Faculty Council at the on the Columbus Airport Board of Commissioners Jacobs School of Music. Seventy-Six Trombones Willson/Ricketts and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Board of Duke Ellington Medley Ellington/Custer Directors. A Patriotic Singalong America the Beautiful Ward/Dragon America the Beautiful Navy Hymn Dykes/Powers David Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain; Recognition of Veterans by Military Con ict For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain. Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan Bowden America! America! God shed His grace on thee, David Bowden, And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea. Williams Artistic Director Flag Folding Ceremony and Conductor America ree Volley Salute of the Columbus My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Taps – Moment of Silence Indiana Land where my fathers died. Land of the pilgrim’s pride, Philharmonic From every mountainside, let freedom ring. Let ere Be Peace on Earth since its God Bless America Miller & Jackson/Ades founding in 1987, earned a doctorate in orchestral God bless America, land that I love, conducting and a master’s degree in choral A Patriotic Singalong traditional Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam. America the Beautiful School of Music. He met his wife, Donna, playing God bless America, my home sweet home. America intramural volleyball while attending the Wheaton God bless America, my home sweet home. God Bless America College Conservatory of Music. Originally from North Carolina, he loves both the mountains and Sound of Music Medley Rodgers/Bennett the ocean. He is an avid reader and a basketball fan e Salute! concert will include a  ag folding Star Wars Medley Williams/Burden and enjoys spending time with his family – including his  ve grandchildren. David is deeply committed ceremony honoring those who sacri ced their lives to Retire the Colors to music education and loves to see students excited protect our freedoms: A Salute to the Big Bands arr. Custer about music—he knows that making music changes Some Gave All! lives. Winner of the Patriot Award in 2005, David - All Gave Some. Semper Fidelis Sousa said, “ e annual Salute! Concert is perhaps my e  ag is being given to the Joseph 1812 Overture: Finale Tchaikovsky most favorite of the entire year – my father-in-law Hart Chapter of the Daughters of the was a WWII Ex-POW, and I believe it is important American Revolution in honor of their Stars and Stripes Forever Sousa to remember and honor those who have served 100th year anniversary our country and, in some cases, given the ultimate sacri ce, because freedom isn’t free.”

PAGE 12 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary Salute! Tributes! Salute! Dan and Susan Arnholt James & Suellen Gillespie Joe and Lisa Lohmeyer Bob and Jane St. Henry Willis and Cathy Bahnsen In Memory of Harry McCawley In Honor of Steve and Chris Lohmeyer In Memory of Robert J. St. Henry and In Honor of Willis Bahnsen Jr., Vietnam Mary Jane and Max Gordon In Memory of Fred and Henry Lohmeyer Walter G. Mackenzie Committee and Sgt. Matt Bahnsen- Regular Army In Memory of Chief Quartermaster James Terry and Pat Maloney Tracy Stachniak Columbus Indiana In Memory of Willis Bahnsen Sr., WWII Robert Hunt Thomas R. and Marion W. Marshall In Honor of Tony Nelipovich, Dave and Sharon Baldwin Jeanne and Jim Green In Memory of Robert S. Marshall Thank you for your service! Philharmonic Staff: In Memory of Harry J. Baldwin, In Honor of William Hoehn Greg Marshall Steve and Christi Tam Lt. Col. USMC In Memory of Walter Hoehn, Fred In Memory of those who gave their In Memory and Honor of all Heidi Kelley, Paul and Pat Bippen Alfele,Fred A. Alfele, Paul Alfele tomorrows for our todays servicemembers past, present, and future Executive Director In Memory of those who gave their Victoria Griffin Connie and John McGinty Betty L. Tuttle tomorrows for our todays In Honor of Charles Sefton, USAF, In Memory of Dads, Uncles, In Memory of Genevieve “Jean” Piccione David Bowden, Winter Bottum Christopher Baldwin, US Army, and Grandpas who all Served WWII Vet- WAC Womens Army Corps Philharmonic Music Director In Memory of Cable G. Ball Lisa Baldwin, US Army Paul and Peggy Miner Tom Vickers Army 10th Air Corp Bill and Ann Haas In Honor of SFC Paul Miner, USA (Ret) In Memory of John C. Walter Donnie Robinette, In Honor of Patrick Samuels (Great Bill and Garlene Weisner David and Donna Sjaardema Bowden Lynn and Janice Montgomery Nephew) Active Special Forces In Memory of Robert Lloyd Smith and Facilities Manager In Memory of Donald Sjaardema, Army In Memory of Howard Montgomery Air Corps, WWII, ex-POW Tracy Haddad Gregory C. Weisner as well as those who In Honor of Robert Haddad Dick and Nancy Nyers Megan Rawlings, Roger and Jan Brinkman gave their tomorrows for our todays Dave and LaDonna Hall In Memory of Norman Bullard Resource Development Associate J. Kevin Butler Jeffrey Welker In Memory of Mike Hall, USMC Army Lt. Colonel WWII In Memory of those who gave their In Memory of James N. Butler and Andrew Conoley Don and Patsy Harris tomorrows for our todays Lexi Schneider, Coast Guard Boatswains Mate Sher and Joe Cunningham In Honor of Roger D. Burke, Ret. Air Force Tom and Sara Wood Patron Services Manager In Memory of those who gave their Rene and Brandi (Burke) Kammel- Army Mary and Bob Orben In Memory of Lt. Colonel George Kimmel, tomorrows for our todays Joyce Heckman Lenora Parrott John Ellis, Air Force Veteran, Vanessa Edwards, Tom and Kathy Dell In Honor of Danny Dixon US Army and In Honor of Sr. Airman Jeffery K.W. and our uncles who served: Production/Education Coordinator In Memory of Col. Darvin Appel Jerry Greene US Air Force Parrott, USAF Retired George Mott, Bud Russell, In Memory of Lt. Col. Robert L. Danny and Connie Dixon Toots and Jim Henderson Bob Jones, Jack Cornea, McCracken, USAF Retired Additional Support: In Honor of Danny Dixon (Vietnam) In Memory of those who gave their Dr. William Johnson Larry and Karen Durnil tomorrows for our todays Mark and Linda Pillar Dave and Laurie Wright In Memory of PVT Roy Hunteman (Army) Major General Mark Pillar, In Memory of those who gave their Kim and Helen Henderson In Memory of Maj. Harold F Mason, USAF LTC George A. Pillar (USA) USAF (Ret) tomorrows for our todays In memory of those who gave their Madonna Yates CPL Paul Hunteman (USA-5) Greg and Vanessa Edwards tomorrows for our todays. In Memory of those who gave their CDR Samuel A. Pillar (USN) tomorrows for our todays Capt. Mike Richardson and In Honor of Harry Edwards Matt and Theresa Hotek E-7 Michael M. Pillar (USA) Suzi, Melissa, Jason, Hope, and Jonathan Sgt. Matt Harris, and Bob Harden In Honor of Sgt. Tom Hotek (Ret.) SFC Terry P. Pillar (USA) In Honor of Larry C. Brown Laurie Edwards and Lt. Col. John Hotek (Ret.) E-5 Harry McCawley Columbus Police Department In Memory of Sgt. Edward Halfacre (Dec.), Anonymous In Honor of Joey Edwards, USMC (Ret.) Beth Booth Poor Sgt. Martin McCawley (Dec.), In Memory of Charles Olim; In Honor of William E. Poor, Vietnam Tally and Lisa Lykins Family Tim Reinbold, and Sgt. Lucelia McCawley (Dec.) Nancy Edwards 1968-1971 In Honor of Private First Class Rick Trimpe, Jim and Susie Huntington Rachel Bullough In Honor of CIC Elijah Edwards, USAFA Buck and Nea Ritz In Memory of those who gave their and Major Kaman Lykins Bartholomew County Courthouse Zack and Glinda Ellison In Memory of Mr. Forrest A. Ritz tomorrows for our todays Melissa Fairbanks Margaret Roush Nancy Smith, Larry and Judy Jackson In Honor of Mark A. Pillar, In Memory of Beloved Husband Ensign Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret) Virginia F. Johnson Columbus East Band Boosters Robert Roush, USN *Tributes received on or before May 18th. Pauline Jordan Sherm and Jacquie Franz John and Donna Sasse A full list will be posted on the In Memory of Rev. M. Bucky Jordan In Honor of Daly Walker In Memory of Martin H. Shulz, U.S. Army, CIP website and printed in Mr. and Mrs. Basil Fritsch Gordon and Barbara Lake WWI The Republic around July 4th. In Honor of Gregory J. Pence, Michael J. Ryan and Blair Lauer Colin and Linda Scheidt Pence, and Basil Fritsch In Memory of Laurence Lauer, In memory of those who gave their In Memory of Edward Joseph Pence Lost at Sea, US Navy tomorrows for our todays COVID Judy Gayle Tom and Pam Lego Nancy Smith In Memory of Lloyd M. Griffin In Memory of Charles Wells Sr. In Honor of Matt Akers, U.S. Navy Retired RECOMMENDATIONS: and those who gave their tomorrows and William H. Lego In Memory of R. Stanley McClain, U.S. for our todays Navy WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: • The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic is limited to 1000 attendees. Additional support for Salute! 2021 provided by: • There will be four zones designated American Heritage Girls Columbus City Sanitation Department Notables for 250 people each. You will receive a colored wristband when you enter American Legion Post- 24 Columbus East Band Boosters Packing Corporation of America the zone. AMVETS Post- 509 Columbus Indiana Huey Helicopter Robin Shanks, Sound Technician Bartholomew County Courthouse Staff Ellis Tents and Events SIHO Insurance Services • Social distancing is highly Boy Scout Troop 588 Indiana University’s J. Irwin Miller Architec- United Way of Bartholomew County recommended. Ceraland ture Program at The Republic Building VFW Post- 1987 • Masks are requested when away from Coca-Cola Bottling Company Joint Force Headquarters, Indiana Young Marines your group. The Cole Forester Electric • Please do not set up chairs or blankets Columbus City Hall Staff Milestone Contractors in seating areas prior to 5:00 p.m.

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 13 IN-35075784 Second and WashingtonSecond Columbus, Street, INon thegrounds of FRIDAY MAY 28,2021*7:00PM Bartholomew County Community Concert to Honor Veterans Our A FREECommunity Concert Commissioners (Rain Location: Auditorium Erne (Rain –Columbus North High School) the Bartholomew CountyMemorialthe Bartholomew for Veterans. You receive will acolored wristband you when enter zone. the Th be will four ere zones designatedpeople each.for 250 Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Columbus IndianaPhilharmonic Ground and Food at Concessions Open 5pm Board ofDirectors Premier sponsors: Dave andJoMcKinney City ofColumbus • Please donot• Please up set chairs • Masks are requested when distancing is highly • Social • Th Columbus e Indiana RECOMMENDATIONS: areas prior to 5:00p.m. or blankets inseating away from your group. recommended. 1000 attendees. Philharmonic is limited to BEFORE YOU GO: WHAT KNOW TO COVID DAVID FIELDS | ARMY STORY BY BARNEY QUICK| PHOTOS BY JANA JONES

commitment &

Army veteran filled variety of roles in 32 years

“The Army doesn’t just teach you 7th Infantry. At the time, he worked to do things, it teaches you to do on equipment and towed tanks and them well,” said David Fields, Bradley Fighting Vehicles. reflecting on his 32 years of service While stationed in Europe, it in that military branch. “When I do became increasingly apparent that something now, I try to do it right.” the United States was going to lead Fields couldn’t have antici- an international effort to liberate pated the adventure and personal from Sadddam Hussein’s transformation he was going to regime in Iraq. experience when he enlisted as an From December 1990 until May 18-year-old in 1988. 1991, Fields was deployed in the »He’d given a little consideration Middle East. to studying mechanical engineering “I was only 20 years old. The only at Purdue University, but “didn’t re- communications with home were ally want to go to college.” However, letters and a couple of opportunities he did tell his recruiter that he was to call,” Fields said. “We were com- interested in being a mechanic. pletely away from everything in our “I’d worked on cars in high own self-contained little town.” school,” Fields said. “I enjoyed Fields’ unit was in Saudi Arabia, working with my hands.” waiting for the Desert Storm Fields completed his basic and ground war to start in 1991. When advanced training and attendance the moment came in February, he at vehicle recovery school at Fort was part of the unit that crossed Knox in . into Iraq. From April of 1989 to August 1991, Being support personnel, his unit he was stationed in Aschaffenburg, Germany with the 1st Battalion, (SEE sacrifice PAGE 23)

The museum preserves the history of Thank You Veterans! Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum the former Bakalar Air Force Base. Displays include an air base barracks section, Columbus, Indiana Municipal Airport operating WWII era rotating beacon, home-front WWII locally manufactured military items, large scale model military aircraft, plus many other air base historical displays. Always free admission. For hours of operation or to schedule a group tour, call the museum at 812-372- 1080 S. Gladstone Ave. 4356. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website for museum news and updates on the Columbus, IN 47201 Charlie 119 project. We can be contacted www.boyermachine.com via email at [email protected]. PRECISION CNC MACHINING Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum, Inc. (812) 379-9581 4742 Ray Boll Boulevard IN-35075691 Columbus, IN 47203 www.atterburybakalarairmuseum.org

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 15 MARK PILLAR | AIR FORCE STORY BY TOM JEKEL | PHOTOS BY MIKE WOLANIN

received a fully paid scholarship through ROTC. “If you flunked out and got bad grades, you’d be in a rice paddy (in Vietnam) with a rifle. It was definitely an incentive to do well,” he said. Pillar had been born in 1948 on an historic day for America: Dec. 7. Seven years ear- lier to the day, Japanese planes attacked Pillar felt destined to serve in military the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans, which ushered the United States into World War II. Retired two-star Air Force Major General “Dad was a pipefitter while also serving “My mom joked that if I had been a girl, Mark Pillar believes he was destined to in the Army National Guard. If you didn’t they would have named me Pearl,” Pillar serve in the military. show up, you didn’t get paid.” said. “I wanted to fly. I liked the discipline. His dad, the late George Pillar, was a After graduating from his high school in I liked the people — people that came from lieutenant colonel and combat engineer Gary, where his family had moved, Pillar different backgrounds to perform a noble in the U.S. Army. The senior Pillar’s unit enrolled at the University of Evansville to task.” ran petroleum oil and lubricating pipes to study math before switching to marketing. So Pillar became an airman, commis- provide gas and oil for armed forces op- However, he had other career aspirations sioned a second lieutenant in the United erating in , , and on his mind. States Air Force after graduating from the Germany during World War II. “I had long discussions with my dad and Reserve Officer Training Corp. »Growing up in Hobart, Indiana, Mark his Uncle Sam (not the poster character) Pillar went through pilot training in 1971- Pillar learned from both parents — his about the military and about flying. When 1972, then served as a pilot in Vietnam, mother Margaret was a hotel recep- I got to Evansville, I enrolled in ROTC,” Laos, Cambodia and Thailand in 1972-1973. tionist and bank teller before becoming Pillar said. “I was physically fit to fly, He was assigned to Grissom Air Force a homemaker — about taking personal with 20/15 vision, and qualified to become Base near Peru, Indiana, in 1973. He and fu- responsibility. a pilot. Being in ROTC resulted in a little ture wife Linda, who he had met in college “We were taught to show up and do what extra scholarship money.” you were supposed to do,” Pillar said. His final two years at Evansville, Pillar (SEE AMBITION PAGE 17)

PAGE 16 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary AMBITION Continued from page 16 Pillar file Name: Mark Pillar and started dating in 1974, were mar- ried later that year and lived in base Age: 72 housing. Branch: U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve Pillar resigned his regular com- Years of military service: 37 mission in the active Air Force while stationed at Grissom, but immediately Non-military career: Commercial pilot, Delta signed up to be part of a new reserve Airlines, 1978-2005 tanker unit that was looking for pilots. Military awards and decorations: From more “I walked across the street and got than 20 received, Pillar considers these four the myself a job,” he said. “It was an in- most significant — Distinguished Flying Cross, Dis- surance policy, if you will.” tinguished Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Domestic airline companies were Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal. hiring young pilots, but windows of op- Family: Married to Linda since Dec. 7, 1974; chil- portunity closed at age 30 1/2. dren, Son Matthew (wife Magen) Pillar, Columbus; “I was coming up on that number. If daughter Lacey (husband Matt) Gobert, Nashville, a job with the airlines didn’t work out, Indiana; grandchildren Linda and Anna Gobert. I had a backstop,” Pillar said. But he got the commercial pilot job Community service: Military oriented — anyway, hired by Delta Airlines. Bartholomew County Veterans Committee, Mark and Linda were living in Peach 2005-present, SALUTE! concert, Memorial Day, Tree City, Georgia, when Delta was Veterans Day and 9/11 ceremonies. Non-military opening a hub in Cincinnati. — Columbus Indiana Philharmonic board member, For job-commuting purposes, they 2005-present (president, 2012-2015); Columbus would need to live within two hours of aviation board, 2016-present (president since the airport. Proximity to family was 2019); and Columbus Rotary Club, 2005-present also an important factor for the couple, (president, 2012). as Linda had six sisters in Bluffton, Indiana, and Mark had four brothers and a sister in various parts of the Hoosier State. The Pillars discovered Columbus and determined it to be a friendly commu- until their new home in Tipton Lakes great finishing spot,” attaining that A drummer in his high school and nity with good schools — important for was completed in 1992. goal in 1992. college concert and marching bands, a family with grade-school children. All the while, Pillar maintained But more promotions were in store Pillar got involved with the Columbus Housing was affordably-priced and the his part-time career in the Air Force as he would stay in the Air Force Re- Indiana Philharmonic orchestra that city also had a vital business commu- Reserve. serve another 13 years. first year. He later served 2012-2015 as nity, he said. “Once you get your 20 (years) in After retiring from Delta in 2005, Philharmonic president and continues “It was a real downtown, not just your back pocket, you can retire having extra time on his hands allowed to serve on the orchestra board to this T-shirts, wig shops and bail-bonds anytime. (But) I was committed. I had Pillar to volunteer in his home com- day. offices,” Pillar said, describing other ambition,” Pillar said. munity — and did so with the same Among many community activities, places he had lived. “It was a very nice While he never entered the military enthusiasm he showed for the military. Pillar also serves on the Bartholomew community.” with the idea of becoming a general, “I no longer had two jobs and I had County Veterans Committee, helping The Pillars bought a lakeside prop- he felt being a lieutenant colonel and free time for stuff I wanted to do,” he plan Memorial Day and Veterans Day erty in 1990, then rented in Columbus squadron commander “would be a said. ceremonies. We Support Our Veterans

305 Washington St., Columbus, Indiana 2040 Cottage Ave. (812) 372-7829 www.jwinsurance.com (812) 379-4911 TR-31964211 IN-35076116 IN-35076241

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 17 ROB DRIVER | ARMY STORY BY JORDAN RICHART | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES

Vet’s 27 years of service shaped post-military life

Rob Driver has been inter- veterans, so Driver was ested in motorcycles his sent to Eastern Kentucky entire life. University where he learned “I can’t really remember to be a Motorcycle Safety a time when I didn’t have Foundation rider coach. something to ride,” he “I was one of the first said. “I grew up in the Evel motorcycle mentors and I Knievel era, so if it wasn’t went back down to EKU to bicycles, we were strapping become a trainer. Once I motors onto anything we did that, I taught the people could find.” who taught people to ride »The 52-year-old’s passion motorcycles,” he said. has led to a rewarding ca- After graduating, Driver reer, as the 27-year military trained motorcycle mentors veteran is the co-owner of to different brigades — and M Y Motorsports, a com- the results showed. pany that trains riders on “The fatality rate went how to ride properly and down,” Driver said. “I no teaches people about motor- longer can remember the cycle safety at several sites figures, but it went down. throughout Indiana. That was really rewarding.” He and his partner, fellow While that passion started veteran Charles Newcastle, in his youth, it was the final formed M Y Motors- six years of his military ports in 2013 shortly after career that he discovered he Driver came home from could turn his interest into a Afghanistan. living once he retired. “It’s a great gift to get to “My last few years, the do what you love each day,” Army was able to help me Driver said. figure out how to do what That gift was earned. I love for a living,” Driver In the driver’s seat said. “It worked out really well.” Driver’s military career It was about 2008 when started less than a month after he graduated high the Army chose Driver school. to become a motorcycle “I had to buckle down mentor. and get my stuff together,” Around that time, the Driver said, adding he had U.S. military had found that trouble applying himself the there were a lot of fatal mo- torcycle crashes involving (SEE MENTORSHIP PAGE 19)

PAGE 18 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary hasn’t only been limited to his ca- MENTORSHIP reer. He also is the Columbus chapter Continued from page 16 Driver file president of the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club. way he wanted to while in school. Name: Rob Driver “We do a lot of what a VFW or In between graduation and basic Age: 52 American Legion does where like- training, he got married in Elizabeth- minded people get together and share town, Kentucky, after leaving Fort Branch: Army what we have in common,” Driver Knox. Years of Service: 27 said. “It’s good especially because you All of 45 minutes after the wedding, Non-military career Co-owner of M Y Motorsports get to know people from all over the he went to a bus station to get to a United States.” plane that would fly him to Aberdeen Awards and decorations: Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Iraq Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars; Two Bronze Star He said the group is not really a Proving Ground, Maryland, where he fundraising group, but they do collect completed training. He said that expe- Medals; Two Meritorious Service Medals; Three Army Commendation Medals; Three Army Achievement Medals; Army Good Conduct Medals; donations throughout the year to place rience was interesting because at that wreaths on the graves of veterans time in the war, a lot of soldiers had Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals; National Defense around the holidays as part of the already deployed. Service Medal W/Bronze ; Global War on Terrorism Service Wreaths Across America program. The 88M truck driver was a very Medal; Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons; The organization places the wreaths sought-after specialty at the time of Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbons; Army Reserve Compo- the first week of December. his deployment, and most of those nent Overseas Training Ribbon; Armed Forces Medal with “M” Device and “It’s humbling,” Driver aid. “It’s people who had the training had gone 20-year Silver Hourglass; NATO Metal; Combat Action Badge. really tough, especially the last couple once, so the Army was looking for Family: wife, Pam; daughter, Amber; grandchildren, Christopher and Calli. years because we haven’t gotten dona- people to cross-train. tions to buy wreaths, but back when By the time Driver’s unit went in we were doing a little better with it, 2006, they’d selected small amounts the best part was when it came time of soldiers from all over to cross-train on a compound smaller than a football working alongside people who came them in Jeffersonville. They re-flagged to place the wreaths and when we had field with people from Afghanistan. from all different walks of life. With the unit as a transportation company, family present and were able to hand Driver remembers those days to a long career, he felt he matured a with 160 soldiers in the company, them a wreath to place on their loved have a lot of tension. lot from where he was in high school where Driver was first sergeant. Out one’s resting spot. That’s the most “With the threat of vehicle bombings, when he committed to joining the of 160, 152 were reclassified to be 88M rewarding part.” suicide bombings and stuff, there were military. trucker drivers. It’s a national organization, so there challenges there,” he said. “People “You go through a lot of different “It was very, very challenging be- are chapters everywhere and the local would try to breach the gate to get to leadership styles and interact with all cause you have people who are getting chapter gets together in different the dignitaries.” kinds of different people,” Driver said. ready to drive big rigs and hauling states throughout the year. One recent “When I went to Korea in 1998, it was 7,500 gallons of fuel in a pretty volatile Driver and his fellow soldiers’ re- weekend, a chapter in Kentucky had a real eye-opener because I had never part of Iraq,” Driver said, noting the sponsibility was to shape battlefields a gathering in Bardstown where the been outside of the country before and job was particularity dangerous due to as the conflict would progress. The end group participated in the Kentucky that there was this whole world that the number of IEDs in the field. goal would be to eventually leave it in Bourbon Trail. was not like America. Not only did I Those hauls were during the night, the hands of Afghan forces. That kind of camaraderie is some- get to mentor, but I got to learn and so drivers would have to rely on night “We got a lot of resistance because thing Driver loves about the group. grow myself.” vision to make deliveries. we were there for so long,” Driver “The members of the U.S. Military “It made it really hard to see and said. “There was some stuff that went Staying connected with fellow vets Vets Motorcycle Club, they’ve got my the depth of perception was diffi- on that made things less than stellar. These days, the retired first sergeant back and I’ve got theirs,” he said. “We cult,” Driver said. “It was interesting But with people working out on the gets to mentor others and help them are a pretty unique organization. I though.” battlefield, that kind of comes up.” along in their journey on motorcycles don’t hardly go anywhere where I’d After serving in Iraq, Driver went to Driver’s military career gave him a — something the military played a big have to get a hotel because someone e area with healthy opti Afghanistan. Hel ywasing tsenth to Kandahar lot oofn sdifferent fo memories, but he said role in. is going to put me up and take care of Supp r over 8 City where he and other soldiers lived he enjoyed mentoring8 years soldiers and But Driver’s passion for motorcycles me.” & still growing! We Honor Our Veterans

Bush’s Market Supplying the area with the healthy options for over 89 years...& still growing! 379-9077 7301 E. 25th Street • Open 8-6:30 Daily Starting after July 4th IN-35076233 12000 E 225 N • Hope • 372-6031 IN-35076119

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 19 LARRY ALEXANDER | AIR FORCE STORY BY BARNEY QUICK | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES

Over the course of a nearly four-decade Air Force career, Larry Alexander has mixed life in Columbus with scenery from every corner of the globe. He’s balanced deployments across the world while raising a family, and even some private- sector work, in south-central Indiana. It’s been something of a full-circle life, as he and his wife have lived, since 2012, in the home where he grew up on Franklin Street in the city. The Columbus High School class of 1964 grad- »uate went to Colorado with the Boy Scouts in 1960, and was impressed with a visit to the Air Force Academy. After high school, he enrolled — only to flunk out. He later obtained a mechanical engineering Columbus has always been home degree from Purdue University, which is where he met his wife Judy. for retired Air Force colonel (SEE CIRCLE PAGE 21)

PAGE 20 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary cIRCLE Alexander file Continued from page 20 Name: Larry Alexander Age: 75 Alexander was first stationed at Branch of service: Air Force Bakalar Air Force Base in Columbus Years: 37 before moving to Grissom Air Force Base in northern Indiana with the Post-military life: Kingston Products 930th Operations Group. (Kokomo), Alexander’s Cabinets (Co- Alexander then took a year-and- lumbus), Lowe’s (Columbus). a-half break to work at Kingston Military awards and decorations: Products in Kokomo before returning , Meritorious Service, to the Force in 1975, when he was Air Force Commendation Medal (three commissioned as a second lieutenant, times). serving as aide de camp to the com- Family: wife, Judy; daughters, Amber mander of the 434th Squadron. Helt, Jennifer Shiftlett; son Lance; four “(The commander) left about six grandchildren. months after I got commissioned,” Alexander said. “I then became the squadron commander.” Alexander’s military career then took him in a civil engineering direction. Memorabilia belonging to Larry Alexander is pictured in his home in Columbus. Alexander also served as a liaison “In 1985, I started a 50-person team,” officer, which entailed going to Co- Alexander said. “Our first deployment lumbus, Seymour and Greensburg “We built schools,” Alexander said. those trades as civilians.” was to Italy. It was just myself and my schools to help students go through the “Locals would invite us into their Alexander’s base throughout these full-time technician. That was my first process of getting into the Air Force homes for lunch.” years was Grissom. He was also trip overseas. I later took subsequent Other international deployments working at Lowe’s in Columbus, and Academy. trips there, and got to visit Rome and included two to Germany, where his was there during the transition from He retired from the Air Force in Pisa.” team refurbished housing for ser- the store’s former location to its June 2005 and from Lowe’s in 2008. Alexander took his entire unit over- vicemen and their families, the United present site. Since 2008, his life has consisted of seas for the first time to Morón Air Kingdom and Honduras. In Honduras, “There were three of us in the family, hobbies and church. In 2012, he Base in Spain, where they installed a his group built a four-room school- cabinet department,” Alexander said. and Judy moved to his boyhood home sprinkler system and undertook other house, a nurses station, kitchen and “They wanted to leave me at the old in Columbus. construction projects. latrine facility. store, but if I got called up for active His days are filled with projects His unit was stationed there when “We got help from the locals,” Alex- duty they’d be shorthanded, so they around the house, woodworking, and Desert Shield commenced in the ander said. “We got to play with the found me a position at the new store.” enjoying the company of his grandchil- Middle East. kids. There was a lot of good commu- Alexander was a full colonel and dren. For a time, he was quite involved “Sixty-five to 70% of my guys wanted nity interaction.” support group commander when the in Boy Scouts activities and sang in to go, but the deployment never came,” Inside the United States, Alexander terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 oc- the choir at First Baptist Church. Alexander said. “We were brought said he also built housing for Native curred. He was placed on active duty Alexander has worked several roles together and told we couldn’t mention Americans in New Mexico. from February 2002 through September over the course of his journey, from it in calls home.” “The beauty of the reserve basis is of that year. husband and father to cabinet sales- The next deployment for Alexander’s that you have people who have the “I didn’t have a deputy,” Alexander person to squadron commander. group was to Panama, and by that same professional skills on the inside said. “Every day that I had off from He’s also had the rare opportu- time, he was in charge of a 200-man and the outside,” he said. “Plumbers, Lowe’s, I went up to Grissom to help nity to make a difference in several team. electricians, carpenters and such work run the command post.” countries.

We salute all Thank You For Your Service! who serve, BLUE ELK FAMILY CLINIC we wouldn’t be where • Mental Health Counseling we are without you! • Family Practice • Same Day Appointments • Accepting New Patients 812-526-2651 • 7kfarms.com IN-35076066 At Taylorsville 1/4 mile West of U.S. 31 on Rd 650 N. 812-200-8265 Nashville IN-35076238

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 21

DAVID MILLER | ARMY STORY BY BARNEY QUICK | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES ‘ ‘

Military roots run deep in Guard recruiter’s family

It was natural for David drilling in Franklin. It Miller to gravitate toward a wasn’t long after then when military career on the cusp he met his wife, Rachel. of adulthood. He had two “A buddy of mine who brothers in the Marines, two was also into cars and was in the Air Force, one in the a nail tech for a living took Navy, and his father was me to the salon where she also an airman. worked,” Miller said. “She So when the Columbus was there. I asked a friend native’s recruiter called, for her number.” »“there was no hesitation.” Rachel says it was “a Growing up, Miller whole new world” to marry enjoyed outdoor activi- into a military family. ties such as hunting and “I was worried that he’d camping, as well as buying, get deployed,” she said. restoring and reselling cars. From 2012 to 2019, in addi- When he joined the Army, tion to his reserve activities, he became a mechanic. he worked in research and Miller underwent his basic development at Cummins training at Fort Jackson in Columbus, assembling in South Carolina before and dismantling prototype going to Aberdeen Proving parts and engines. He also Grounds in Maryland. accumulated credits toward He employed his mechan- a mechanical engineering ic’s skills for 2 1/2 years and degree with courses at Ivy then went into horizontal Tech. construction. This involved Miller noted the differ- prepping an area for roads ence the way decisions are and bridges. made in the Army and in Miller was then deployed civilian life. to Camp Stryker, just “In the military, you know outside of Baghdad, in Iraq exactly what is to be done in 2009 for about a year, and who’s in charge,” he ob- repairing roads and bridges. serves. “In business, there His unit also prepared the are more hands in the pot.” base for handing over to the Miller’s next assignment Iraqis. was to be an OCT (observer, He then returned home, living in Columbus and (SEE Roots PAGE 23)

PAGE 22 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary Fields file “It wasn’t as sexy as Afghanistan roots Sacrifice would have been, but I learned Continued from page 22 Continued from page 15 Name: David Fields more about running things at the Age: 50 operational level,” Fields said. Fields was back in Columbus in coach and trainer). In this capacity, sprinted to keep up with the artil- Branch: Army, Army reserves late 2013 and promoted to sergeant he trained National Guard soldiers for lery and infantry just ahead of it. Years of service: 32 major in 2014. In that capacity, deployment. “We pushed through Iraq down to Non-military career: manager, he was commander at the 801st Three years ago, Miller volunteered to be Kuwait. It went pretty fast; four or Cummins OilGuard program. Combat Support Hospital in Chi- a recruiter. He finds it rewarding, but points five days,” Fields recalled. cago, and then moved to command out that it involves long hours. Why didn’t U.S. forces meet Military awards and decorations: the 6th Battalion, 100th Regiment “You have to work around people’s sched- more resistance from the Iraqi Meritorious Service Medal, Army Transportation School. ules,” Miller noted. aggressors? Commendation Medal, various unit He went to Chicago once a month After an initial conversation with a young “Saddam’s forces were not neces- citations. and did his job remotely the rest person expressing interest in an Army sarily in the fight,” Fields said. Family: wife, Shannon; sons, Jonah of the time, via conference calls career, Miller arranges for the recruit to “They had low morale due to poor and Luke; daughter, Whitley. and email. He was also working at take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational treatment. That, and our techno- Cummins. Aptitude Battery). The test is based on a logical advantage, are probably “I’d get off my day job and then tenth-grade educational level and provides the two main reasons the operation sit at the dining room table and do an indication of what career path the recruit was so efficient. IUPUC, while he was studying me- my night job,” Fields said. is suited for. Then the recruit undergoes a Fields added, “I was a naive kid chanical engineering technology. Fields also went to for The dual life had its challenges. physical assessment. back then. The generals might transportation school, bringing his “When you’re gone a year or two He’s noticed some trends in terms of what have different answers.” 32 years of service full circle. it takes a toll on the family,” Fields areas of Army work interest recruits. On the way back through Iraq, Since retiring in 2020, he’s done said. “Appliances would break, and “A surprising number want to go into Fields was tasked with retrieving some reflecting. I’d normally be the one to fix them. “It’s been nice to have my infantry,” Miller said. “We also see a lot broken-down vehicles and arranging I was home for two days in October weekends; it’s nice to not be on con- of people who want to go into trades, such to have them sent to Saudi Arabia. 2004 when our daughter was born.” ference calls,” Fields said. “You do as electrician work, heating and air condi- After the conflict, Fields sat in By the time he was deployed to have to make sure you have some tioning, and construction.” Saudi Arabia for some time waiting Afghanistan in 2012, he’d switched purpose in your life to fill the void.” While he foresees continuing to be an for a plane for him. He was then from being a heavy construction Fields has immersed himself in Army recruiter for the time being, Miller back in Germany in May and dis- equipment specialist to being a volunteer activities, such as Big counts educational opportunities among the charged in August. truck driver. His title was senior Brothers, Big Sisters and Book most satisfying aspects of his experience. The following May, Fields signed transport NCO. Buddies. Before the pandemic, he “I can convert what I’ve learned into a up for active reserves. At that point, “I volunteered to go with an expedi- was tutoring a Columbus East High variety of institutions,” Miller said. he specialized in heavy construc- tionary sustainment command out of School student an hour a week. He tion equipment and was stationed California,” Fields said. “We provided also takes time for fishing, re- Miller file in Indianapolis, at Fort McCoy, Wis- support, such as trucking in food, building cars and gardening. consin, , , ammo, materials and equipment.” Adjusting to civilian life hasn’t Name: David Miller and Camp Atterbury in Johnson The stint didn’t last long. always been easy though. Age: 34 County. He was with a unit that “Three weeks after getting there, “In the military, there’s one way trained troops in first aid, convoy Branch: Army, National Guard the 1st Sustainment Command said, to do things. In business, there are operations, perimeter defense, and ‘Get on a plane. You’re going to Ku- several ways to do things,” Fields Years: 17 live-fire infantry movement. They wait to be our operations sergeant said. “There are some stark differ- Civilian work: Cummins (2012-2019) in re- would then deploy in places such as major’,” Fields said. “One thing I ences in the way we groom people search & development Bosnia, , and Afghanistan. learned in the Army is that you can and coach people in each realm.” Awards and decorations: Meritorious Unit Fields also led the life of a sign up for anything you want, but Sacrifices and all, he’s pleased Citation, three Army Accommodations. student, husband and Cummins they basically tell you what you’re with the course of his life. employee when he was home in Co- going to do.” “It was a crazy, messy 32 years, Family: wife, Rachel; son, Sawyer; daughters, lumbus. He met his wife Shannon, Kinleigh, Lexus, Alaina. Fields was then in Kuwait for 10 but I wouldn’t trade it for any- who is from Decatur County, at months. thing,” Fields said. To our veterans and 85 years their families, we say combined experience under our Thank you. helmets Cruisers - Sports Bikes - ATVs - Spyders - S x S Repp and Mundt Inc. 432 S Cherry Street - Columbus, IN Doing Business Since 1946 1604 Cottage Ave. • Columbus • 372–3791 Maintenance - Repairs - Diagnostics IN-35076232 Customizations - Tires

SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 23 tHUNDER Baker file Continued from page 10 Name: Wayne Baker Age: 52 admiration for them. These gentlemen Branch of service: U.S. Army, served under harder and harsher con- National Guard ditions. So we definitely want to salute Years of service: 24 them and show our appreciation.” Non-military career: VPI sourcing He also thinks of other heroes such as his grandfather who served in the manager for Cummins Inc. He’s Pacific in World War II. U.S. Army especially proud of Cummins sup- Air Corps Sgt. Everett F. Baker, a port of the event and other local Columbus native, was assigned to the involvement via the firm’s Every 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Employee Every Community effort. Group. Also, he is a member of Cummins’ But Baker’s gratitude extends even Veterans Employees Resource wider than those who directly have Group. served. Military awards and decora- “This (appreciation) is not just for tions: (the ones that mean the the soldiers alone,” Baker said. “It’s most to him): Combat Infantry for their families and their extended Badge (two); Expert Infantry families.” Badge; Parachutist Badge; Desert Because he has details to attend to Mike Wolanin | the republic Members of the Indiana Army National Guard test fire ceremonial howitzers on Second Street for Shield/Storm; Operation Enduring during the concert, the longtime volun- the 18th annual Salute concert in Columbus May 25, 2018. Freedom; and Operation Iraqi teer often misses the emotional reaction Freedom. of many veterans when the military dis- its citizen soldiers. And that’s some- “Well — I don’t think I ever have,” play helicopter lands on Second Street thing that’s very positive for the whole he said, coming to the sudden realiza- Family: wife, Cheryl Baker; chil- in a windy whirl of nostalgia. In the community.” tion and then breaking into laughter. dren, Derek, David and Claire. past, some Vietnam vets have watched Interestingly, the man who makes “I like to leave that to the Scouts and the arrival teary-eyed, thinking of com- certain the ample concert firepower is the volunteers (beforehand during test rades who never made it home. on hand so the event can finish with a firings). After all, this could be their Overall, Baker sees the concert bang has never pulled the chord to fire one chance. festivities as “a great representation away at Bowden’s command during the “And my excitement is seeing them for the Indiana National Guard and overture. enjoy themselves.”

faith — the aftermath of 9/11 was a A lot of Erkkinen’s time was spent Erkkinen file faith calling. with his own spiritual reconciliation Continued from page 7 Toward the end of 2001, Erkkinen during that time, but he knew that Name: Eric Erkkinen told the military he wanted to deploy only so much could be controlled. Age: 69 as operations took place to go to war “There really is evil in the world,” remained in the same place when with Afghanistan. Branch: Army, Army National Guard the notification took place. Erkkinen said. “There are people Erkkinen said his experience in “He appreciated the visit,” Erk- today who think there are misguided Years of service: 30 years (10 years Army Washington brought out an emotion kinen said. “I had him focused on people, but there is evil. You cannot National Guard, 20 years active in Army) of anger, so he volunteered to go their relationship, how she enjoyed redefine it or minimize it because overseas. Military awards and decorations: Defense what she did, and it was a time for there are people who hate and kill “I shouldn’t be an angry person, Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious him to decompress a little bit now for no reason.” but I was,” he said. “It gave me a Service Medal; Joint Service Commenda- that the official part was over.” The chaplain’s military career focus to try to make a difference to tion Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Erkkinen said Fields had a deep provided him with opportunities to stop this kind of stuff.” Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve abiding faith, and that he actually grow and help serve the country, but From there, he deployed to the Component Achievement Medal; National attended her funeral. it was what he prioritized over the Middle East for support of Opera- Defense Service Medal Armed Forces When Erkkinen visited the 9/11 years that carried him through. tion Enduring Freedom and spent ; Southwest Asia Memorial in New York City years “I still had a very supportive five months in Qatar, Pakistan and Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Global War later, he looked up Fields’ name that and loving family and very loving Afghanistan. on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global was etched into the South Memorial friends. Those three F’s are the He returned to INSCOM in Tampa War on Terrorism Support Medal; Armed Pool. things that anchor us,” he said. “I Bay until 2003, then moved to Heidel- Forces Reserve Medal; NATO Medal; Kuwait “I took a picture of it,” he said. became a stronger person and God berg, Germany as the Deputy U.S. Liberation Medal (Saudi); Kuwait Liberation A return to the front lines sustained me.” Army Europe Chaplain until 2005. Medal (Kuwait). Erkkinen was also awarded Many of those that served during In support of Iraqi Freedom, he Erkkinen retired on Oct. 1, 2008. His ministry still focuses on the the Bronze St. Martin of Tours Medal by the those two weeks at the Pentagon felt deployed with V Corps Artillery to Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in 1998 in Baghdad for all of 2006. military, but with those who have that service was enough; or that it recognition of 20 years of military service. would be too taxing or dangerous to Erkkinen returned to the U.S. in finished their time serving. serve in a new war. December 2006 and was reassigned “I still go to the Veterans of For- Family: wife, Linda; three grown children; But for someone who relies on to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to finish his eign Wars and help there,” he said. seven grandchildren. the three F’s — family, friends, 20 years of active duty in the Army. “There are still hurting veterans.”

PAGE 24 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary