DATE: Friday, May 22, 2009 at 11 a.m.
LOCATION: North steps of Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument; Downtown Indianapolis
COST: FREE, open to the public (free metered parking in the downtown area on this day from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

The month of May in Indianapolis is a celebration of the world’s largest single-day sporting event in the world – the Indianapolis 500. Beyond that, the 500 Festival also embraces a very important holiday in the midst of its festivities – Memorial Day and a weekend to remember the sacrifices made by Indiana men and women who perished while serving in the armed forces.

"Memorial Day weekend in Indianapolis begins with the honorable recognition of our fallen Hoosiers," says Steve Walker, 500 Festival Memorial Service Committee Chairman. "The sacrifices made by these sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, on behalf of our country and our freedom will never be forgotten."

At the 2007 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by OneAmerica, distinguished speakers including Lt. General Michael Rochelle, Deputy Chief of Staff G-1, Governor Mitch Daniels and Former Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson joined 500 Festival Chairman of the Board Cindy Simon-Skjodt and an impressive host of military officers and families of soldiers, who have served our country and given their lives for our freedom in as recent conflicts as Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and honored our troops. The service included the Joint Services Color Guard presentation of colors. Performances included the United States 38^th Division Band and the Capital City Chorus.

A wreath-laying ceremony, dedicated to the memory of all Hoosiers in all wars and conflicts who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation, took place while the names of those Indiana servicemen who have fallen within the past year were read aloud. 

A military funeral Cortège, a special horse-drawn caisson presented by the Military Department of Indiana Ceremonial Unit, symbolized Army soldiers who accompany the remains of the deceased to the gravesite. The rider-less horse represented the fact that the deceased had fallen as a warrior and will not ride again. A ceremonial flyover by the “Blacksnakes” of the 122^nd Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard, Fort Wayne, IN, concluded the service.

Please join us next year for this very special ceremony. The 500 Festival Memorial service, presented by Rolls-Royce, is sponsored and supported by One America Financial Partners, Inc., Rolls-Royce, The American Legion, and WFMS 95.5 FM. The Service is free to the public with downtown metered parking available at no charge on the day of the service.