Henry County’s first class of recruits for World War I, on the steps of the courthouse in downtown New Castle.

By DARREL RADFORD

‘It has always been the Soldier’

It is the Soldier, not the Reporter

Who has given us Freedom of the Press

It is the Soldier, not the Poet

Who has given us Freedom of Speech

It is the Soldier, not the Campus Organizer

Who has given us freedom to demonstrate

It is the Soldier who:

– salutes the flag,

– who serves beneath the flag and

– whose coffin is draped by the flag

Who allows the protestor to burn the flag

-Author Unknown

From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror, soldiers from Henry County have done all of the above for the United States of America.

As we approach another Veterans Day, this columnist would like to offer a tribute to Henry County veterans past and present.

In honor of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we spotlight 11 Henry County veterans who embody the spirit of all those that have ever worn the uniform. Some were well-known, others ordinary citizens, but all displayed a bravery and character that continues to make us the home of the brave. Maybe some will remind you of a relative or someone you know who has also served their country well.

Perhaps it will be someone you are still able to greet with a handshake or a hug Monday as you say “Happy Veterans Day. And thank you.”

1-3. CHRISTOPHER LONG (Liberty Township), JACOB PARKHURST(Greensboro Township) and RHODERICK CRAIG (Harrison Township) were all Revolutionary War soldiers that settled in Henry County and are buried here.

4. AMOS BROWN: Amos Brown was a young black man from Fall Creek Township. He was a cook for officers of Company H during the war with Mexico. But Amos wanted to serve on the battlefield, not in the kitchen. On Dec. 31, 1847, he was mustered into service as an official member of Company H, 5th Army. And thus a black man from Henry County became a soldier 15 years before blacks were enlisted in the Civil War.

5. PHILANDER WISEHART, a Fall Creek Township resident, was the first Henry County soldier killed in the Civil War.

6-7. MARTIN BUNDY, a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln, was appointed Paymaster of the Army, a position he held until 1866. His son, Omar, would become famous for saving Paris in World War I by his refusal to retreat. World War I was Omar Bundy’s best-known effort, but he was also a veteran of the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War and the Phillipine Insurrection.

8. FRANCIS “BUD” HANNON: This Middletown resident enlisted in the Navy on July 29, 1939. He was killed at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, while serving on the USS Oklahoma, Henry County’s first World War II casualty.

9. MILO BURCHAM: Born near Cadiz, Milo was one of the famous “Flying Tigers” in World War II who lifted spirits during the lowest period of World War II for the U.S., giving hope to Americans that they would eventually succeed against the Japanese.

10. RICHARD E. MILLIS: A Greensboro native, Millis was the first Indiana casualty of the Korean War. A graduate of Kennard High School, he joined the U.S. Army in World War II and re-enlisted at the outset of the Korean conflict. He was named “Hoosier of the Year in 1950.”

11. BRUCE HARRIS: Lt. Gen. Bruce Harris graduated from New Castle, served in Vietnam and had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army. Among his high-level positions were Deputy Commander General of Signal Center at Fort Gordon, Ga.; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Legislative Affairs and International Vice President of the Army Forces Communications and Electronic Association.

There are, of course, many, many more. This columnist remembers Mooreland’s Bruce Kendall, who died in the Vietnam War. Another Vietnam casualty, New Castle’s Timothy Hayes, is honored with a scholarship every year. Scott Zubowski, who once lived in New Castle and attended elementary school here, is one of the most recent to give the ultimate sacrifice, having lost his life in Iraq.

And who could forget the Goodwin brothers Mike, Tony and Gary Bruce, sons of the late Bobby Goodwin and Anna Goodwin, the woman who with Donna Heim, founded a national movement with their Mothers Against Saddam Hussein organization?

According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, there are nearly 500,000 military veterans living in Indiana today. More than 4,300 of those reside right here in Henry County. No doubt, each has a story to tell. America’s story continues to be written by their actions.

Darrel Radford is a staff writer for The Courier-Times and a board member for the Henry County Historical Society. For more information about Henry County’s war veterans, visit the museum. It’s open from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and by appointment at 529-4028.