The Herald Bulletin - Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home alumni rally

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Children hold signs Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Indiana Statehouse as advocates rally to push for Indiana legislators to keep the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Home open. The State Department of Health wants to close the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Knightstown, saying it costs too much money.
Alan Petersime / Associated Press

Willie Anderson of Middletown holds his grandson Jayden Anderson-Barrentt, Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Indiana Statehouse as advocates rally to push for Indiana legislators to keep the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Home open. The State Department of Health wants to close the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Knightstown, saying it costs too much money.
Alan Petersime / Associated Press

Tammy Helmer comforts her granddaughter Kursten Jackson Monday, March 30, 2009 at the Indiana Statehouse as advocates rally to push for Indiana legislators to keep the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Home open. The State Department of Health wants to close the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Knightstown, saying it costs too much money.
Alan Petersime / Associated Press

Published March 30, 2009 11:40 pm - INDIANAPOLIS — Several hundred supporters hoping to keep the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown open rallied at the Indiana Statehouse on Monday.

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home alumni rally

By Ken de la Bastide

CNHI News Service

INDIANAPOLIS — Several hundred supporters hoping to keep the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown open rallied at the Indiana Statehouse on Monday.

The administration of Gov. Mitch Daniels wants to close the facility at the end of the current school year, but supporters are hopeful lawmakers will keep the school in operation.

Among the alumni attending the rally were Glenda and Mike Carmichael of Alexandria.

The couple met at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in 1961. Mike graduated in 1966 and Glenda in 1968. They were married in 1969 and will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today.

“If they close it, they will be taking our home away from us,” Mike Carmichael said in the atrium at the Statehouse. “It was our meeting place.”

The couple returns every year for the annual alumni picnic.

“All the friends we have,” Glenda said. “We have always kept in touch, still do.”

She said at the end of the school day the children didn’t go home, they spent time together and grew closer. Mike said the students and staff at the home were like a family for the children who were staying there.

At the rally was Fred Wright, who was the dean of the Children’s Home for 37 years.

“I was flabbergasted,” he said of the announcement that the school might close. “This is not fair to the veterans and not fair to the kids at the home.”

Wright said it doesn’t matter if there are five or 500 kids at the home, it provides a valuable service for the state.

“I’m proud of every one of them,” Wright said of the alumni. “This is a great group of kids. I would match them with anyone. “Mike Carmichael said Wright was the most respected man he ever met.

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