Indiana War Memorials

Happy Mothers Day!

Thank you to all of our mothers—especially those who serve in the United States Military and those who raised our military heroes!



(Photos: IN National Guard)

Please join the 500 Festival and the American Legion, honoring our fallen soldiers for the 61st Memorial Service at the Indiana War Memorial on Friday, May 22nd at 12:00pm EST

This is a weekend to remember and honor the sacrifices made by brave servicemen and women who perished while serving in the armed forces.

This event is free and open to the public.

500Festival.com/Memorial

Today we celebrate Victory in Europe, also known as VE Day. It was on this day, in 1945, the Allies formally accepted N**i Germany's surrender, bringing an end to World War II in Europe.

Learn more about the United States and World War II at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9am to 5pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen for our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026.

On this day, in 1915, the British passenger ship Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine off the west coast of Ireland. 1,198 of the 1,924 passengers died, including 114 Americans. This attack hastened America’s entry into World War I in 1917.

Learn more about the United States and World War I at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. Open from 9 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday.

Admission is free!

*** The Shrine Room is closed for construction and is slated to reopen for our nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026.

Four years ago this month the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was dedicated in the American Legion Mall.

The Monument honors military families who have experienced loss through service in the United States Armed Forces, representing all branches of service and all conflicts.

This is the first Monument added to the Indiana War Memorials properties since 1998.

Honor your veteran this summer with a Brick of Honor. The bricks are placed at the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis, creating a lasting tribute to each veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Learn more about our Bricks of Honor program: https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/commemorate/

The Gold Mile is an experience for IU Health 500 Festival Mini-Marathon participants and it pays tribute to fallen service members and their surviving families (Gold Star Families). You are invited to volunteer to pay special tribute to our nation’s fallen heroes on May 2, 2026. Located at mile 6 on the backstretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, YOU can encourage participants holding American flags, and display photos and banners to honor the fallen.

You’re invited to be part of this special tribute. If interested, complete the following volunteer form at:
https://indymini.com/participants/mini-gold-mile/

To make a donation to the 500 Festival go to:
https://500festivalfoundation.com/foundation/foundation/campaign/

Take a look back to the Indiana War Memorial Plaza in the 1930s. Obelisk Square sits in the foreground in Veterans Memorial Park with American Legion Mall behind, including the original building for the headquarters of the American Legion.

Veterans Memorial Park and American Legion Mall are still some of the best green spaces Downtown Indianapolis has to offer!

https://indianahistorylibrary.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1360493642

Veterans Memorial Plaza, once known as Obelisk Square, is located in the center of the Indiana War Memorial Plaza Historic District, a block north of the Indiana War Memorial.

Sitting in the center of the Plaza is the 100-foot Obelisk bordered by flagpoles bearing the flags of each of the 50 states to the east and west.

Veterans Memorial Plaza is a great, welcoming greenspace in the heart of Downtown Indianapolis. The park is open from dawn to dusk all year round and is a great place to enjoy the outdoors in the busy city!