Gov. Mike Braun has championed the efforts of local veterans by ceremonially signing a piece of legislation that assists the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum in Fort Wayne. This new law, which was influenced by State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion), dispenses with a hefty state-mandated fee, paving the way for the nonprofit's memorial project honoring fallen Hoosier veterans.
The centerpiece of this effort is an aboveground columbarium, a structure meant to house cremation urns and personal mementos of those who served. Initially, the veterans nonprofit faced an unexpected challenge: the state's overriding fiscal demand - a $100,000 deposit into the perpetual care fund for long-term maintenance and protection. It prompted them reaching out to lawmakers, as confirmed by a statement on Indiana House Republicans' website.
Thanks to Senate Enrolled Act 520, the requirement for this significant deposit has been waived, thus helping the shrine and museum proceed with the construction of the columbarium. "Every veteran who has served our nation deserves to be remembered with lasting honor," Goss-Reaves, whose father was a fallen serviceman, remarked, underscoring the significance of this enduring tribute.
Goss-Reaves, an author and daughter of a U.S. Navy corpsman, has been a vocal advocate for the legislation and was handpicked to attend the signing event by State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne). The museum, in an effort to reciprocate her support, is now offering her book about her father's service in Vietnam in its gift shop. The VNMSM is a sprawling 40-acre sanctuary and the newly passed legislation will enable a seamless continuation of their mission, to enshrine the legacies of local veterans.
The columbarium project, which includes a donated structure with 157 niches reserved for veterans, is seen as a fitting extension of the museum's commitment to honor military service. With over 6,000-square-feet of exhibit space and more than 2,000 artifacts from U.S. conflicts dating back to the Revolutionary War, it's a trove of tangible patriotism. "This columbarium will help preserve the legacies of local fallen veterans in a place built to reflect our deepest gratitude and respect," Goss-Reaves told the Indiana House Republicans.
