INDIANAPOLIS — With county vaccinations standing at well over 300,000 fully vaccinated individuals, and a significantly reduced number of new COVID-19 cases, Indianapolis is beginning to see a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
With city officials planning on taking the next steps to open restaurant and bar capacities on June 7, organizations are planning to cautiously wave the flag to hold some in-person Memorial Day events, as long as social distancing is observed and face masks are worn.
The Indianapolis 500 will be run this year on Sunday, May 30 at the Speedway, with reduced attendance. Still, 135,000 fans will be able to be in the stands when the checkered flag waves, and many more will be in front of their TVs cheering on their favorite drivers.
This year, there will be no traditional Indy 500 parade, but instead there will be a special “Reverse Parade” throughout neighborhoods in Indianapolis on Saturday, May 29. The 500 Spectacle of Homes will begin at the Speedway at 11 a.m. with drivers in specially designated cars driving to downtown Indianapolis and then spreading out through the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Will east side neighborhoods be on the list? At press time, the neighborhoods have not been announced; stay tuned to our Eastside Voice Community News Facebook page as we try to keep you updated on this unique event.
The American Legion Post #34 at 2210 E. 54th St. will celebrate the Memorial Day weekend with two events. On Saturday, May 29, they will hold a Hot Rods and Heroes Car Show fundraiser at the post, with classic car and motorcycle (cars $25, motorcycles $15 donation) check-ins at 10 a.m. and the car show starting at noon. The day will feature food, music, sumo wrestling, and lots of games. Proceeds will go to support the post. On Monday, May 31 from noon-5 p.m., there will be a ceremony to honor fallen comrades. Taps will be played and a flag retirement ceremony, plus food and live music.
Greenfield will hold a Summer Kickoff on Saturday, May 29 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. The event is open to the public and includes games, food, shopping, and a car smash.
Memorial Day was established as a national holiday in 1971, but before it was known as Decoration Day. Volunteers place flags at the graves of fallen service members on Memorial Day and hold ceremonies to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
U.S. casualties during World War I totaled over 320,000. World War II saw casualties of over 1 million; over 128,000 soldiers lost their lives in the Korean War. We lost over 211,000 in the Vietnam War. The Gulf War took over 1,000 lives; the war in Afghanistan over 22,000, and over 36,000 in the Iraq war.
