Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame

Sharing info about another local veteran library and museum.

Dear Friends of the Clay Township Military Library and Museum,

We will be open this Saturday, May 16, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in honor of Armed Forces Day - and we'd love to see you there.

Armed Forces Day, observed each year on the third Saturday of May, is set aside to honor the men and women currently serving in every branch of America's military: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. It is a day of community pride, gratitude, and connection - exactly the kind of day our museum was built for.

Here's how you can be a part of it:
Visit us. Come browse our exhibits, explore our honor roll, and help us show the community that Hamilton County's only public military library and museum is alive and growing. We are at 10801 North College Avenue, Carmel, Indiana 46280.
Share your story. If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or the descendant of someone who served, we warmly invite you to join us for a couple of hours on Saturday to speak with visitors, share your family's history, and bring any artifacts, photos, or memorabilia you'd like to display. Your stories are the heart of what we do.
Spread the word. Forward this email to friends and neighbors. Share it on Facebook, Nextdoor, or any social media you use, and encourage others to stop by. The more people who know we're here, the better we can fulfill our mission to honor Hamilton County's veterans.
Our all-volunteer museum has been preserving and connecting our community to its military heritage since 1997. Every visit, every story shared, and every new friend we make helps us keep that mission alive.

We hope to see you on Saturday!

With gratitude,
The Volunteers of the Clay Township Military Library and Museum
(317) 435-7194 | [email protected]
"Preserve and Connect" - Hamilton County's only public military library and museum since 1997

Not able to make it on Saturday? We're also open on National Maritime Day, Friday, May 22, and Memorial Day, Monday, May 25t - both 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
--
Jon. Baldwin

"We will either find a way or make one." Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian general, 247-183 B.C.E.)

Reach me at (317) 435-7194 or the e-mail address above.

--
Jon. Baldwin

We are calling for nominations for the Class of 2026 to the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame. The nomination packet and criteria can be found at IMVHOF.com/nominate/. Please consider nominating a veteran worthy of induction to the IMVHOF. Nominations are due not later than 1 August 2026.

Dear Veteran,
We would like to formally invite you to attend North Central High School’s Living History Series.
We believe that your experiences make you uniquely qualified to help a new generation of students
understand how the past has shaped our present lives. Whether you served in an armed conflict or
experienced how a conflict changed life back in the states, we believe your stories will bring history
to life. We would be honored to have you come and participate in our Living History Day. This day
will include breakfast, conversations with students during session #1, lunch and a visit from our
principal, and then conversations with students again during session #2. While we appreciate
veterans who can come for the whole day, the hours for this special event are not fixed, so please
feel free to come when you can, and leave when you feel it is necessary. Our annual Living History
Series event will take place on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.

I am writing to see if you can pass along our flyer for Living History
Day 2026 to all of the veterans you have access to.

Attached you will find the flyer that includes both information about the event and a NEW link to
have veterans complete a google form to sign up to participate.

Here is the new RSVP link: Living History Day RSVP I truly appreciate your support,
we couldn’t do it without you! If link fails, just acknowledge to email above.

Sincerely,
Chris Vermilion
North Central HS
SS Department Chair
[email protected]

Hello everyone,

April 9th is the correct date for National Former POW Recognition Day...and it's on Thursday this year. My sincere apologies for the confusion in our initial announcement.

However, our well-meaning eager "research buddy" used the wrong day of the week in the announcement and yours truly didn't catch it. "Mea culpa" as the Romans used to say.

Have a good weekend...the weather outside our museum today is gorgeous!

Jon
Volunteer and (appropriately chastised) President

--
Jon. Baldwin

"We will either find a way or make one." Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian general, 247-183 B.C.E.)

Reach me at (317) 435-7194 or the e-mail address above.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Clay Township Military Library and Museum invites former U.S. prisoners of war and family members of POWs to join us for a special observance on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, in honor of National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

Why April 9? April 9 is the official date designated to honor and recognize the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of Americans who were held as prisoners of war and returned. This day holds deep significance in military history and serves as a solemn reminder of the extraordinary hardships endured by POWs and their families.

Featured Presentation: We are honored to have George Matta Jr. share the powerful story of his father, George Matta, who was a prisoner of war during the Korean War. George will present twice in the Community Meeting Room of the nearby Township Government Center to accommodate all who wish to attend.

We Need Your Voice: We are seeking living former POWs and family members of POWs (now deceased) who would be willing to share their stories—whether briefly or at length—during our event. Some have written accounts or been interviewed; others may wish to speak informally or simply be recognized for their service and sacrifice.

Your participation matters. Every story preserves history, educates our community, and honors the legacy of those who endured captivity in service to our nation.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2026
Location: Clay Township Military Library and Museum, 10801 N. College Ave., Carmel, IN 46280
Presentations by George Matta Jr., 9:30 am and 12:00 pm: Community Meeting Room, Township Government Center (adjacent to museum).
Times: 11:00 am until 5:00 pm
How to Participate: If you are a former POW, or a family member of a POW, and would like to share your story or simply attend and be recognized, please contact us:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (317) 435-7194
In person: Visit us at 10801 N. College Ave., Carmel, IN 46280
Our librarian and our genealogist are actively researching records to identify and reach out to former POWs in our county, but we know personal networks are invaluable. Please forward this message to anyone you know who might be interested in participating or attending.

Can't Participate but Want to Support? If you know of a former POW or family member who should be invited, please share their contact information with us (with their permission), or forward this email directly.

We are honored to create a space where these important stories can be told and preserved for future generations.

With gratitude and respect,

Clay Township Military Library and Museum 10801 N. College Ave., Carmel, IN 46280

Jon

Volunteer and President

--
Jon. Baldwin

"We will either find a way or make one." Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian general, 247-183 B.C.E.)

Reach me at (317) 435-7194 or the e-mail address above.

Please check out our new options for bricks you can order and have installed on our IMVHOF walkway! New sizes and new designs for our laser engraved bricks would be a great way to honor your loved one, a friend, or even yourself. You can order and pay online too. Check us out!

Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Commemorative Bricks - Fundraising Brick Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Commemorative BricksHosted by Fundraising BrickCommemorative

We remember our founder Colonel (R) Russ Dowden on the first anniversary of his death. We thank him for his leadership and legacy. He may be gone, but he lives on in our memories.

This is a great fundraiser to help the Exchange Clubs of Lawrence and Hancock County raise money for their Child Abuse Prevention Programs.
Have been told these events are fun too! Thanks to the VFW Post 7119 for hosting us at their facility. Loads of great items you can bid on — including gift cards! Come support this wonderful event! See you there.

Dear Friends,

As January comes to a close, we wanted to send a warm reminder about this Saturday’s Chicken Noodle Dinner in support of the Clay Township Military Library and Museum. The Sons of the American Legion at Post 155 are generously hosting this event for us, and it would mean a great deal to see you there.

On Saturday, January 31, from 4–6 p.m., Post 155 (852 W. Main St., Carmel) will be serving a hearty meal of chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner roll, and dessert. The dinner is open to the public and the meal is free with any monetary donation, with a portion of the proceeds going directly to help the museum sustain and grow our 2026 programs honoring veterans and their families.

As Hamilton County’s only public military museum—and a small, volunteer-driven effort—our ability to “Preserve and Connect” the stories of service depends on friends like you. Your presence on Saturday, whether you come alone, bring a neighbor, or invite a veteran as your guest, helps ensure we can continue events such as our upcoming observances, Quilts of Valor presentations, and America’s 250th Birthday commemorations.

If you already plan to attend, thank you. If you are still considering it, we hope you’ll mark your calendar, stop by for a relaxed meal, and enjoy the fellowship of others who care about our veterans’ stories. And if you cannot be there in person, we’re grateful for your continued support and for sharing word of the dinner with your own circles.

With appreciation, Jon

Volunteer and President Clay Township Military Library and Museum

--
Jon. Baldwin

"We will either find a way or make one." Hannibal Barca (Carthaginian general, 247-183 B.C.E.)

Reach me at (317) 435-7194 or the e-mail address above.