A powerful new symbol has arrived at Mooresville High School! Discover the story behind the recently dedicated Chair of Honor, a poignant tribute to our nation’s missing and fallen service members. This moving installation serves as a constant reminder of sacrifice. What does this profound act of remembrance mean for the community?
Mooresville High School has recently become a profound site of remembrance with the dedication of a ceremonial Chair of Honor, a poignant tribute to prisoners of war (POW) and those declared missing in action (MIA). This significant installation serves as a perpetual symbol, ensuring that the sacrifices of these brave service members are never forgotten within the community and beyond.
Strategically placed at the entrance to the esteemed educational institution, this Chair of Honor stands as a solemn beacon. Its location near the MHS Military Honor Wall, which itself commemorates Mooresville alumni who have nobly served in the armed forces, creates a powerful nexus of historical reflection and unwavering respect for military dedication.
This particular installation marks a milestone as the 19th public site across Indiana to receive a Chair of Honor from Rolling Thunder Indiana. This dedicated organization tirelessly works to honor and remember POW/MIA service members from the Hoosier State, embodying a steadfast commitment to those who never returned home or whose fates remain unknown.
The impact of Rolling Thunder Indiana’s mission resonates throughout the state, with other notable locations hosting similar Chairs of Honor. These include iconic venues such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the bustling Indianapolis International Airport, Lucas Oil Stadium, and Gainbridge Fieldhouse, along with the revered Indiana Statehouse, each serving as a public reminder of the profound cost of freedom.
Adding a unique layer of local history, the specific chair chosen for the Mooresville memorial holds a past within the school district itself, having been utilized in the Mooresville Schools superintendent’s office during the 1960s. Further demonstrating community involvement, the chair’s sturdy platform was meticulously constructed by talented students enrolled in the high school’s Construction Trades program.
The Chair of Honor at Mooresville offers a specific and deeply personal Veterans Tribute, honoring nine Morgan County residents tragically lost during World War II. These individuals include Eldridge W. Bowles, James A. Bowman, Lorene L. Burton, William E. Dow, Charles E. Glover, Raymond Kirkendoll, Dennis B. Lambert, Lorain H. Stockton, and Frank M. Wininger, whose names are now forever etched in remembrance.
Their sacrifice represents a fraction of the broader human cost of conflict, as Indiana alone accounts for 1,529 Hoosiers still missing in action from World War II. This number is tragically compounded by an additional 183 from the Korean War and 51 from the Vietnam War, each figure representing a life, a family, and an enduring mystery.
Beyond the installation of these powerful Military Memorial chairs, Rolling Thunder Indiana extends its commitment through vital initiatives. These include providing scholarships for family members of POW/MIA individuals, offering tangible support and a continuation of their legacy. Furthermore, the organization hosts a significant statewide ceremony every third Friday of September, ensuring that the memory and honor of these heroes are continually upheld and celebrated.
