The City of Carmel honored veterans on Friday, Nov. 9 at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in The Tarkington Theater at The Center for The Performing Arts.
Mayor Jim Brainard was joined by keynote speaker Major General (Retired) Dana J.H. Pittard, U.S. Army; speaker Colonel (Retired) James Crider, U.S. Army; Carmel American Legion Post 155; Carmel VFW Post 10003; Performances by Blair Clark, the Towne Meadow Elementary Meadowlarks Choir, Cindy Ensign Baney and the Actors Theatre of Indiana.
The winners of the Veterans Day Poster and Essay Contests were also recognized at the ceremony. Students from local elementary schools took part in the Poster Contest, while Middle School students participated in the Essay Contest. This year’s theme was “Thank You For Your Service.”
Finalists for the poster contest were chosen by grade level from each participating school. Board members of the Carmel Arts Council selected one citywide winner in each grade from among the entries. The winning posters were chosen based on best representation of the theme, focus on veterans and creativity. They were displayed at the City’s Veterans Day Ceremony and each student received a certificate of achievement from Mayor Brainard and Superintendent of Carmel Clay Schools Dr. Michael Beresford. The finalist posters are up for viewing at the Monon Community Center on the second floor’s main hallway through Monday, Nov. 12.
A list of Carmel Veterans Day Poster Contest winners as well as images of their posters can be found on the city’s website at CarmelVeteransDay.org.
The winners of the “Thank You For Your Service” Poster contest are as follows:
- Kindergarten: Elsie Gonzalez, Carmel Elementary School
- 1st Grade: Nathan Dsouza, Towne Meadow Elementary School
- 2nd Grade: Will Luebke, Mohawk Trails Elementary School
- 3rd Grade: Lucy Cunningham, Towne Meadow Elementary School
- 4th Grade: Avery Aiello, Carmel Elementary School
- 5th Grade: Kate Jentz, Towne Meadow Elementary School
The panel of judges from veterans organizations chose the winning essays based on best representation of the theme, focus on veterans, strength of message and proper use of grammar. Students were invited to read their winning essays during the ceremony and each received a certificate of achievement from Mayor Brainard.
A list of the Carmel Veterans Day Winning Essays can be found on the city’s website at CarmelVeteransDay.org.
The winners of the “Thank You For Your Service” Essay contest are as follows:
- 6th Grade: Leah McKay, Clay Middle School
- 7th Grade: Eva Nist, Clay Middle School
- 8th Grade: Karina Jones, Creekside Middle School
Poster contest winners in grades K-5 received $50 each and essay contest winners in grade 6-8 received $100 each with the assistance of Indiana Members Credit Union.
“I am impressed with the students and their teachers, in our community,” said Mayor Brainard. “By the quality and depth of the posters and essays honoring our veterans, it’s obvious our young people understand what it means to be a veteran and the importance of thanking those who have served our country.”
Each veteran in attendance received a gift, courtesy of American Structurepoint and Drs. Lauck & McLean Optometry and Eyewear. Vietnam Veterans also received a commemorative pin to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, the City of Carmel is a member of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration program.
In 2016, the city began this three-year program and agreed to conduct two programs a year through 2018 to recognize the Vietnam Veterans in our community. Other sponsors included UN Communications Group, Inc.