Westfield veterans honor veterans

The City of Westfield held its second annual Veterans Day ceremony, “Honoring Service and Sacrifice,” on Monday, Nov. 11, at the Bridgewater Club. Of the guests who filled the large room, around 100 were veterans, more than fourfold the number of veterans at last year’s  event.

Brian Gould, U.S. Army veteran and executive director of the Build Indiana Council, emceed the event.

“Veterans Day is a time when we remind our fellow Americans to stop and say thank you to those who served,” Gould said.

Speakers for the event included Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and Westfield Police Chief Shawn Keen, both Marine Corps veterans.

Army veteran Roy Adams served as the keynote speaker.

“The culture of service doesn’t end with military discharge,” Adams said. “It’s a lifelong commitment and decision. It’s about giving back to the community, mentoring young people, and supporting fellow veterans.”

Adams supports his fellow veterans through his locally-based nonprofit, Chairs of Honor. Through Chairs of Honor, chairmakers from around the country craft individual heirloom chairs to be presented to veterans. Those veterans’ stories are then recorded through an interview and linked with the chair through a digital ID.

“Subsequently, the veteran’s story is preserved for generations to come,” Adams said.

Following his speech, Adams had Mayor Willis draw a raffle ticket from those handed out to the veterans present at the ceremony. They then presented the winner of the raffle, Air Force veteran Zachary Kinkead, with a handcrafted chair sponsored by Indiana Members Credit Union. Adams will be following up with Kinkead to record his experience in service.

In addition, Willis recognized the winners of the inaugural Veterans Day poster and essay contests. Third grader Emet Swan, fifth grader Jackson Adams, and sixth grader Max Swan were announced as winners of the poster contest, and junior Adam Baker read his winning essay. All winners were presented with gift cards from a representative of contest sponsor American Structurepoint.

Willis ended the ceremony by presenting each veteran present with a coin from the city honoring their service.

Carmel resident Camille Nelson shared her poem “Hounds of Hell,” which has been read at public events and is preserved in the Smithsonian.

Photo provided by City of Westfield