Old School: Visiting Veterans

By Carol McEwen,

Recently I visited a place that honors veterans every day, not just once a year. It’s the brainchild of my classmate, Judge Jim Osborne and is called the Indiana Military Museum, in Vincennes, Indiana. Jim began collecting military memorabilia as a child: a Civil War musket from his dad and some captured German items from his neighbor, a veteran of the Second World War.  

During high school, we all knew of Jim’s obsession. He even brought some of his treasures to show us. I confess; at least ONE of us said, “Gee, Jim, that’s really neat,” in the tone used for a slightly addled old uncle on Thanksgiving.

So I approached the museum, incorporated in 1984, with more than a touch of skepticism. But I was completely awed when I spied the imposing site, fueled solely by the modest $10 entry fee, donations, membership fees and an occasional grant. Fifty zealous volunteers help Jim, who is always there, keep the place running.  

What a unique and fascinating experience! It’s unique because when possible, the displays focus on the military service of local boys, making it more personal. Suddenly it’s not “those soldiers” or “the Marines,” or “some sailor.” It’s my childhood friend, John Piper, a soldier in Viet Nam, or my Marine Corps brother Ace Edwards, who died in Korea, or a school pal, Rick Purnell, who served as a Navy pilot.  

Every member of our family found something interesting. My grandson and his dad loved the 15 aircraft, 20 artillery pieces and 25 restored military vehicles on the sprawling 14-acre site. My son-in-law said, “I could spend all day here!” Meanwhile, I was reading the familiar donor names of many items inside, including a uniform of Gen. Eisenhower, the tanker jacket of Gen. Patton and Gen. Colin Powell’s dress uniform. In the recently opened annex, my husband, daughter and granddaughters were busy inspecting replicas: a Viet Nam foxhole and a re-created Normandy Cathedral from a WW II battle scene, both complete with mannequins in uniform.  

Apparently we’re not the only ones who found the place interesting since the 15,000 annual visitors have come from 80 foreign countries. Gen. William Westmoreland also visited, donated a uniform and said the museum “may well be the finest collection of military memorabilia I’ve seen across the U.S.”     

If you have military artifacts which need a new home, call 812-882-0210 or visit their website:  www.IndianaMilitaryMuseum.com.    

Before publishing this I checked with my classmate, Jim, to confirm the contact information. He told me by next year, thanks to a generous grant from the Eli Lilly Company, they’ll have expanded the museum annex building with virtual dioramas, as well as adding a 60-seat theatre for visitors’ orientation. Who knew that a childhood hobby could turn into this incredible place? Isn’t it amazing what a determined, resourceful, Old School Hoosier can accomplish? 

Carol McEwen is a writer for Stroll By The Bay, Mirimar Beach, Florida, and authored the weekly Old School column for the Arlington Sun Gazette/Gazette Leader. She may be reached at: carolwrites4fun@gmail.com.