Today, members of the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Indiana, performed a special wreath laying ceremony at the Indiana State Police Memorial and Eternal Flame located adjacent to the Indiana State Police Museum, 8660 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN. The event was to honor those troopers and employees of The Indiana State Police who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The Sons of The American Legion is one branch of The American Legion Family. The Legion itself is made up of men and women who served honorably in U.S. military branches during times of conflict over the past 100 years. As such, the Sons is a program within The Legion and is made up of the sons, grandsons, and great grandsons of those who have held membership in The Legion or were eligible for membership if they are deceased. Indiana has the nation’s second-largest S.A.L. membership with more than 37,000 members.
There is a close connection between The American Legion Family and law enforcement officers throughout the country and in Indiana. A great many peace officers are, themselves, former soldiers and sailors and many of them are also members of The Legion and the Sons. The very preamble to the constitutions of, both, The American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion state, among other things, that we “…associate ourselves together…to maintain law and order.â€
The wreath laying ceremony was presided over by Chris Carlton, Commander of the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Indiana. Governor Mike Pence, State Police Superintendent Doug Carter, Officers and members of the Sons, members of The American Legion Family, branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and members of the public attended the ceremony.
The laying of the wreath ceremony is tied into Indiana’s annual state conventions of The American Legion, the Sons of The American Legion, and The American Legion Auxiliary – all of which are taking place at the nearby Marriott Hotel. At one point during its convention, The American Legion will present its annual Law Enforcement Officer of The Year Award to a deserving peace officer.
Further questions regarding the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Indiana should be directed to Mike Pipher at (812) 360-3702 or mpipher@iu.edu.
