This past Saturday, the Zionsville  American Legion Post 79 hosted Brigadier General J. Stewart Goodwin, Commander of the Indiana Air National Guard and the Air Component Commander of the Indiana National Guard Joint Forces, for a flag ceremony commemorating Veteran’s Day.

After being escorted to the Post by the Zionsville police and fire departments along with 40 gleaming motorcyles ridden proudly by the American Legion Riders, we gathered to hear General Goodwin’s address on a sunny late Fall morning. Standing beside the General, members of the Zionsville Fire Department unfurled and hung a huge American flag from the top of two fire ladder trucks. The Zionsville Police Department introduced their impressive Honor Guard who stood at attention in front of the massive Stars and Stripes.

General Goodwin spoke about Indiana’s proud history of Hoosier service men and women who have volunteered to protect our freedom, dating back to the Civil War when Indiana had the 2nd largest percentage of population members. 3 out of every 4 able bodied man fought for the Union in the Civil War.

Did you know Indianapolis has the 2nd largest number of monuments and total land devoted to commemorating those brave service men and women who’ve paid the ultimate price for freedom? Second only to Washington, DC.

Even today more Hoosiers enlist in the armed services per capita than any other state. And Indiana, the 14th largest state, has the 4th largest National Guard in the US.  When duty calls and freedom is challenged, no state steps up more often than Indiana.

General Goodwin spoke about how much our current service men and women appreciate being thanked for serving our country. He also encouraged military veterans to chronicle their experiences while in the service, to be shared with their loved ones today and generations to come.

You could tell the General’s talk had an uplifting impact on the gathered veterans, who stood at attention during the WWI airplane fly-over and military gun salute – each one no doubt deep in their own memories.

I came away imbued with a even greater appreciation and respect for our service men and women on this day, especially after hearing General Goodwin’s last words. “Do you know what we Generals pray for every day?”, he asked the crowd, “We pray for peace.”

November 11th is Veteran’s Day. I’m taking the General’s advice and will be thanking every service man and woman I come in contact with at airports, hotels, etc. from this day on. You might consider doing the same.