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

Sat, Nov 21 2009

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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

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home alumni rally

“He did the right thing and instilled that in us,” he said.

The Carmichaels have resided in Alexandria for the past 37 years. Steve Short, commander of the Lapel American Legion and state commander, said veterans pledged to work and fight to ensure this country would have a bright future.

“There is no more noble mission for veterans to fight to save the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home,” Short said. “We’re in it for the long haul. We will fight to the bitter end.”

State Rep. Scott Reske, D-Pendleton, who led the effort to provide funding for the home in the state budget, told those at the rally to “get fired up” because they were going to keep the home open.

“It’s too valuable,” he said of the facility. “It does too many good things for too many people.”

Reske said alumni have to tell lawmakers their story and work as a team to keep the school from closing.

He said to be cost effective there needs to be 500 to 600 children at the home.

“There are more than 600 kids in the state that need to be in the home,” Reske said.

Michael Redd, 17, has been at the school for two years.

“I was a year behind in school,” Redd said of when he was placed at the school. “Now I’m on track to graduate.”

Redd said he is currently enlisted in the U.S. Army as a medic. He admitted that he was in a lot of trouble with the court system.

“I needed the structure and guidance of the school,” he said.

With tears welling up in his eyes, Michael’s father John, said he thought his son would have been dead by now.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes in him,” John Redd said. “It makes me proud. He’s grown up.”

The father and son both admitted the time Michael has been at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home has brought them closer.

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