(CARMEL, Ind.) — A weekend of remembering America’s fallen troops has begun with a Memorial
Day service in Carmel.
The pandemic and rainy weather combined to limit this year’s crowd to about 40 people, and
forced the ceremony inside the Tarkington Theatre. The rain forced organizers to scrap the
traditional 21-gun salute, and instead of a ceremony to place carnations on Veterans Memorial
Plaza, attendees left the flowers as they departed.
Mayor Jim Brainard urged people to pause to remember those who died for their country. And
Coast Guard veteran Darin Bibeau says while the nation’s war dead are the point of the holiday,
it’s an appropriate time to remember living veterans as well. He says those who served made
possible the holiday weekend’s cookouts, the Indy 500, and other celebrations.
The 500 Festival held its annual midday ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, with
attendance by invitation only as a pandemic precaution.
Fishers will hold a Memorial Day service on Monday’s holiday.