Photos | Veterans Day flag raising: ‘We need the next generation to stand up…’

On Friday morning, the tower at the Swain Student Building on Indiana University’s campus chimed out the time at half-past 7 o’clock. That’s when the university’s observance of Veterans Day got started.

The IU Army and Air Force ROTC color guard raised the flag on the pole that stands just east of Sample Gates, in front of Franklin Hall, which is home to the university’s media school.

In front of Franklin hall is a statue of journalist Ernie Pyle, the iconic World War II correspondent, sitting at a typewriter tapping out a report.

Delivering remarks this year was Colonel Franyate D. Taylor, commander of Crane Army Ammunition Activity.

A big part of Taylor’s message was about the challenges that the U.S. military faces in attracting new recruits.

She alluded to the end of the draft in 1973, when she noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the country’s all-volunteer armed forces.

Taylor noted the results of a recent Gallup poll, which found that only 60 percent of Americans express confidence in the military. Even though that is a majority, she said, that is still the lowest confidence level in the last 20 years.

Before calling on young people to serve, Taylor gave it some context: “If you watch or read the news, it is easy to see that the present moment is a critical time unfolding for both our country and the world.”

Taylor added: “We need the next generation to stand up and join the many veterans who have stood up at other critical times throughout our history.” Continue reading “Photos | Veterans Day flag raising: ‘We need the next generation to stand up…’”

Bloomington mayoral candidate forum: Sharp difference in perspectives on crime, city-county relations

At a forum for mayoral candidates hosted on Monday night by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, not a lot of new, additional daylight emerged between the three candidates as far as their known policy positions.

But a sharp difference in perspective emerged in response to a couple of the questions—one involving public safety and another involving the working relationship between city and county governments.

Moderating the forum was Paul Helmke, who was a three-term mayor of Fort Wayne, and is a professor of practice at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for mayor of Bloomington are: Don Griffin, Susan Sandberg and Kerry Thomson Continue reading “Bloomington mayoral candidate forum: Sharp difference in perspectives on crime, city-county relations”

Veterans Day 2022 at Indiana University: “Let us strive for peaceful resolution in all conflict.”

To honor Veterans Day, on Friday morning, the Indiana University Army and Air Force ROTC color guard raised the flag on the pole just east of Sample Gates, in front of Franklin Hall.

Franklin Hall is home to the university’s media school. The building’s statue of journalist Ernie Pyle, the iconic World War II correspondent, sitting at a typewriter, is a coincidental connection to the day.

After the flag was raised, IU alum and army veteran Phillip Zook addressed the gathering. Zook served in the Vietnam War and was decorated with two Purple Hearts.

Zook’s theme was the “forgotten focus” of the day of remembrance that is now called Veterans Day. What’s been forgotten, Zook said, is the focus on promoting peace. Continue reading “Veterans Day 2022 at Indiana University: “Let us strive for peaceful resolution in all conflict.””

Photos: Indiana University Veterans Day 2021

In the early light of Thursday morning, Veterans Day was observed in front of Indiana University’s Franklin Hall.

It’s the building that houses the former School of Journalism. Since 2014 it has been called the Media School. Outside is a reminder of the subject matter taught inside the walls—a statue of war correspondent Ernie Pyle at his typewriter. Continue reading “Photos: Indiana University Veterans Day 2021”