A tribute to those who have served during the U.S. War on Terror
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A tribute to those who have served
during the U.S. War on Terror
MAY 27, 2021
table of
contents
»
★★★
about th e
PROTECT & LEAD
Former Camp Atterbury commander
recalls terror attacks
PAGE 3
FAITH & FORTITUDE
Chaplain provided
support at Pentagon This weekend the Bartholomew County community will once again take
PAGE 6 the time to honor its military veterans with various Memorial Day activities.
A LIFE OF SERVICE Efforts will commence on Friday, as the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic’s
Retired CPD officer
free, annual SALUTE! concert will be held on the lawn next to the Bar-
served in multiple wars
tholomew County Memorial for Veterans and the county courthouse.
PAGE 8
In conjunction with the concert, The Republic publishes an annual section
‘HEAR THE THUNDER’
The man responsible for dedicated to veterans also called SALUTE. The project aims to tell the sto-
SALUTE’s military might loves the ries of those who served their country.
patriotic noise
PAGE 10 This year’s section features veterans that have served during the U.S. War
on Terror, as Sept. 11, 2021 will mark 20 years since the start of the interna-
COMMITMENT & tional military campaign.
SACRIFICE
Army veteran filled variety We hope that you take the time to honor a veteran this weekend, and
of roles in 32 years
thank you for helping make SALUTE! a success every year.
PAGE 15
— Jordan Morey, assistant managing editor
AMBITION
Pillar felt destined to serve in military
PAGE 16
MENTORSHIP
Vet’s 27 years of service shaped post-
military life
PAGE 18
SALUTE! CONCERT
FULL CIRCLE
Columbus has always been home for
Also inside this section is a four-page
retired Air Force colonel
ncert to Honor Ou
r Veterans pullout for the annual SALUTE! concert
mmunity Co
A FREE Co * 7:00 PM on Friday, May 28.
PAGE 20 AY 28, 2021
FRIDAY M on Street, Columbus, IN onVettheerans.
grounds of
COVID
ATIONS:
Washingt l for RECOMMEND
Second and ty Memoria h School) KNOW
lomew Coun – Columbus North Hig
WHAT TO
GO:
the Bartho BEFORE YOU na
Auditorium n: Erne people each
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ted for 250
(Rain Locatio be four zones designa when you enter the zon
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India
• The Columbus is limited to
Philharmonic PAGES 11-14
‘NO HESITATION’ There will
You will rece
Ground and
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ive a colored
wris
d Concession
s Open at 5pm
1000 attendees. is highly
• Social dista
recommend
• Masks are
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requested when
nsors:
.
Military roots run deep in Guard
your group
Premier spo
away from s
not set up chair
• Please do
armonic in seating
or blankets
Indiana Philh s to 5:00 p.m.
Columbus ctor areas prior
Board of Dire
recruiter’s family
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Jo McKinne
Dave and mbus
City of Colu
County
Bartholomew rs
Commissione
PAGE 22
IN-35075784
PAGE 2 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary
M I C H A E L M C G OW E N | ARMY STORY BY CECELIA ELLIS | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES
»
P R OTECT &
Former Atterbury
commander recalls
terror attacks
Since 1942, it has been the business of Camp Atterbury to prepare for war; but on the
morning of Sep. 11, 2001, nobody had expected that the U.S. would be at war by noon.
“It was a quiet morning — an unusually quiet morning in the headquarters. I was
Keep your crop working for
working away at my desk without a clue anything irregular was happening,” said
retired Col. Michael McGowen, former commander of Camp Atterbury. “We had been
you, even after the
Keepharvest.
extremely busy all summer. I think we did around 700,000 training days and several
your crop working for special events during the year leading up to 9/11. Everyone was busy wrapping up
you,reports
even after the harvest.
when the phone rang.”
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LEAD
Continued from page 3
McGowen’s administrative assistant,
Judy Boyd, answered the first call. It
was from her granddaughter, Rachael,
telling her she needed to turn on the
TV because “something really crazy
was going on in New York.”
“We turned on the TV and saw the
plane (crash into) the side of the north
tower of the World Trade Center. I
thought it must be a terrible accident
until, as we were watching, the second
plane ran into the south tower,” Mc-
Gowen said. “It was pretty clear then
that something else was going on.”
A certified professional engineer,
McGowen watched in horror as the
fires spread in the towers.
“I was pretty sure the way the planes
hit combined with the heat of the fires
that the buildings would come down,”
McGowen said. “In a way, it showed
the buildings were very well built or
they would have come down sooner.
Still, it was sickening to see them
fall. All those people inside, all those
firemen and women and police who
went in just trying to help, all of them
gone.”
After President George W. Bush
announced the United States was “at
war,” a third plane hit the Pentagon
and another crashed in a Pennsyl-
vania field. Col. Michael P. McGowen is pictured with his wife Janie at his home in Scipio.
“We watched it unfold on television,
but I still had no clear information on became the site of one of the largest component status (part-time) in both McGowen also worked as the chairman
what we should expect next,” Mc- military hospitals in the nation, and the Air National Guard and Army of the National Board of Training
Gowen said. “I remember thinking we operated as a POW camp for enemy National Guard. Centers.
had to watch everything and everyone soldiers captured during the war. Following graduation, McGowen “I learned a lot about how a training
because anything could happen next.” Following WWII, Atterbury was accepted a full-time position with the center should be operated,” McGowen
As the facility manager and mili- closed until 1950 when it was reopened Indiana State Board of Health. said.
tary commander of Camp Atterbury, for the Korean War. In 1981, he reported for his first tour It would be the job McGowen’s
it was McGowen’s responsibility to By 1954, it was closed again and sat at Camp Atterbury and served as an military unit to operate Atterbury on
protect Camp Atterbury’s 40,000 acres deserted until 1969 when the National engineer for four years. In 1984, Mc- a full-time basis if the post was ever
of property and assets. It was also his Guard took control of most of the Gowen transferred to the Indiana Air activated for the purpose of mobilizing
installation. Guard and accepted a job at Hulman and training soldiers for active duty in
responsibility to protect and lead the
For 30 years, the Guard worked to Field in Terre Haute. an emergency.
civilian and military personnel who
rebuild Camp Atterbury as a training McGowen served at Hulman Field “Soon after I arrived at Camp Atter-
worked there.
site for all branches of the military until 1988 when he transferred to bury as the commander, I decided to
“I remember thinking about the
service and civilian first responders. the Army National Guard. He then have an exercise designed to prepare
Camp Atterbury motto ‘preparamus,’
By the turn of the 21st Century, At- served at Camp Atterbury until 1993 everyone to mobilize the post,” Mc-
which means ‘we are ready,’ and I
before transferring to Stout Field in Gowen said. “Really, I formulated the
prayed we were ready for whatever terbury was one of the three largest
Indianapolis. exercise to bring everyone together to
might come next,” he said. military training centers in the nation.
As a civilian engineer, McGowen work for a common goal.
A historic post Rising to the top held numerous positions before being “As it happened though, if we had not
Carved from 40,000 acres of south- McGowen graduated from Rose- appointed as the civilian manager of participated in that exercise, I am not
central Indiana farmland — spanning Hulman Institute of Technology in Atterbury in October of 1999. sure we would have been ready to meet
three counties — Camp Atterbury was Terre Haute in 1976. Having completed McGowen was simultaneously ap- the demands that followed 9/11.”
built in 1942 as an U.S. Army post. ROTC, McGowen was commissioned as pointed as the military commander of A major response
During WWII, more than 250,000 a second lieutenant in the U. S. Army Atterbury in April of 2000. He arrived
Camp Atterbury was not activated
Army soldiers were trained for combat Reserve. as a lieutenant colonel and was soon
immediately following 9/11, but
at the facility. The federally-owned Throughout his military career, Mc- promoted to the rank of colonel.
and operated military installation also Gowen consecutively served in reserve While serving the state at Atterbury, (SEE LEAD PAGE 5)
PAGE 4 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary
LEAD In October of 2002, McGowen
left his position as Camp Atter-
At first we just used it pretty much
like it was. It was just like any
M c G owen file
Continued from page 4 bury commander to return to the town anywhere and it provided all Name: Michael M. McGowen
Guard’s headquarters at Stout kinds of urban fighting scenarios.”
Age: 69
training cycles increased right Field in Indianapolis and begin Through the years the Guard has
away. the work of designing an urban added training fields like flooded Branch: Army National Guard, Air
Active duty Army Special Forces warfare training facility. villages, bombed-out buildings, Guard
units and the Navy Seals increased “I was working away on that train wreck sites and other chal- Years of service: 32
their training across the post’s project when my wife called to tell lenging scenarios to the hospital
ranges and specialized training me Gov. Evan Bayh was closing grounds. The Muscatatuck Urban
Non-military career: retired as ci-
facilities. Large numbers of indi- the Muscatatuck State Hospital Training Center is now considered
vilian professional engineer in 2016.
vidual Reserve and National Guard in Butlerville,” McGowen said. “I as a one-of-a-kind urban training Military awards and decorations:
units also rapidly reported into made a trip to take a look at the facility in the entire nation. Legion of Hoosier Heroes; Indiana
Camp Atterbury for training prior hospital grounds to see if it would McGowen retired from the Guard Distinguished Service Medal; In-
to their deployments. work as an urban training site.
in 2009 and from his civilian job in diana Commendation Medal; Indiana
“We designed a program that Muscatatuck was about as perfect
2016. Humanitarian Service Medal; Army
encouraged the use of the In- as anything we could build and we
He and his wife Janie currently Meritorious Service Medal; Army
diana Guard Reserve members to could never afford to build any-
live in Scipio in a large log cabin Achievement Medal; Army Reserve
help fill in the extra demand and thing quite like it. “
they built together. They love Commendation Medal; Army Reserve
shortage of full-time staff,” Mc- According to McGowen, there
was a problem in getting the spending time with their grandchil- Component Achievement Medal (7);
Gowen said. “They were amazing.”
The need for increased training soon-to-be-abandoned hospital and dren and working on projects at Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2); Na-
for the War on Terror’s Middle grounds. The hospital had already the Scipio Methodist Church near tional Defense Medal; Army Service
Eastern urban settings soon be- been ceded to the Department of their home. Ribbon; Air Force Outstanding Unit
came obvious to national military Natural Resources. McGowen spends most of his Award; Air Force Long Service Award.
training authorities. “It took a lot of work to get that time in his 1,200-square-foot wood-
Family: wife, Janie McGowen; son,
The Guard soon decided to de- settled, but we did eventually get working shop — making everything
LTC. Mathew (Laura) McGowen;
sign, fund and build a facility that the hospital,” McGowen recalled. “I from furniture to toys for the
daughter, Jennifer (David) Herr; six
replicated the situations encoun- am not sure that would have hap- grandchildren. He also plays the
grandchildren.
tered in urban warfare. pened if it had not been for 9/11. piano for his church.
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E R IC E R KKI N E N | ARMY STORY BY JORDAN RICHART | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES
Answering the call
Erkkinen was celebrating a
colleague’s birthday at the U.S. Intel-
ligence & Security Command Center
at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on Sept. 11,
2001.
This meant he and other colleagues
were only 12 miles away from the U.S.
Pentagon, which was the site where
hijacked American Airlines Flight 77
crashed.
“It was all over the TVs,” Erkkinen
recalled. “Being at that place, they
had a mission and assessment process
»
going on, so we were like most people
watching and waiting while the first
responders were doing what they could
at the site of the building. I remember
it shut down all traffic.”
By the end of September, Erkkinen
had received a phone call from the of-
fice of the Chaplain Corps requesting
that he help with search and recovery
operations at the Pentagon. He was
to serve as a chaplain for first re-
sponders, military personnel, doctors
There are three words that seem and anyone involved in the cleanup.
simple in meaning, and remembering “I said, ‘I will do whatever you need
them is an easy task: family, friends, me to,’” Erkkinen recalled.
and faith. When Erkkinen arrived at the
As straightforward as those terms Pentagon, rubble and the aftermath
may seem, they can be a source of still lay on the ground as search
strength, peace, understanding, sup- crews continued to look for those who
port and more — in both good times perished in the attack while cleaning
and bad. up the area. Erkkinen explained that
It’s proven to be more than a mantra there was more of a process that had
for retired U.S. Army Chaplain Eric to be followed to clean up the Pen-
Erkkinen. tagon because the nature of materials
The Columbus resident has recited kept there.
those words to soldiers and veterans “There were files and papers and
& F O RT I TU D E countless times throughout his 30-year
military career.
“Those three things become an
physical material that needed to be
secured, so it took a lot of time to do
that part,” he said. “They had to make
anchor for you when the world falls sure none of it was compromised.”
apart,” Erkkinen said. “Those three Rows and rows of wreckage pulled
things will mitigate and give you from the building were set in a
the resiliency of all you will need to
Chaplain provided endure.”
parking lot where people would look
for remains and documents through
Erkkinen hasn’t just given advice to
support at Pentagon others, he has lived his words through
the ashes, glass, concrete and other
material, he said.
his many experiences in both life and “I happened to watch a cadaver
while serving his country. It was those dog, Otto, who would literally crawl
three words that carried him through gingerly through the broken debris
a difficult period during our nation’s
most devastating tragedies. (SEE faith PAGE 7)
PAGE 6 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary
faith but Erkkinen said the chaplains would
rotate between different areas of the
Continued from page 6 response so it would ease some of the
burden on the chaplains.
“The chief of chaplains told us to ro-
carefully and then pause,” Erkkinen
tate and not do that work for too long,”
said. “He would alert them and they’d
he said. “It was difficult.”
pick up the remains of one lost.”
There were other areas of ministry,
That work was conducted by a ro-
including visiting the rest and relax-
tating group from The Old Guard.
ation center where first responders
“It’s a very special unit,” Erkkinen
could decompress among televisions
said of The Old Guard, who are also
and other entertainment.
trusted with keeping the Tomb of the
“You’d go there for two or three
Unknown Soldier.
hours, then visit with firemen and
Erkkinen would lead the soldiers in
EMT workers even after the search
prayer before they removed remains,
and rescue was done,” he said. “They
and then accompany them as the re-
were still there taking care of other
mains were loaded into a refrigerated
things.”
van.
They also were assigned to the
This happened quite a bit throughout
mortuary affairs section of the effort,
the two weeks he was there, a some-
which included visits to doctors who
times overwhelming task given the
responded. Photographs belonging to retired Army chaplain Eric Erkkinen are pictured at his home in Co-
magnitude of the situation. However,
“They needed ministry too,” Erk- lumbus May 7.
Erkkinen was a steady hand for the
LIVING
kinen said. “They needed someone to
military and responders the entire
demonstrate strength and God’s pres-
time. Pentagon for two days after being officials who made the official death
ence. That can be a real challenge in
“I would have a prayer over the re- transferred from another military site notification.
this type of crisis.”
mains as they were put into body bags, when she died in the attack. It also Her husband, a retired marine, had
examined by a doctor and zipped up,” Helping families of the deceased was her birthday. baked a cake for her birthday that
he said. Erkkinen remembers serving many Fields’ remains would not be dis- he expected to share with her after
One probably could imagine that it throughout those two weeks, but one covered or confirmed for nearly two she got home from work. That cake
would be difficult to do that work con- he will never forget is Emilia Fields. months following the attack. Erkkinen
stantly over the course of two weeks, Fields had only been working at the was part of the group of military (SEE faith PAGE 24)
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SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary or elevators. May 27, 2021 | PAGE 7
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M I K E B R OW N | AIR FORCE STORY BY CECELIA ELLIS | PHOTOS BY JANA JONES
a l if e o f
»
Retired CPD officer
served in multiple wars
Former Columbus Police De- — especially at the gas stations,”
partment Officer Mike Brown’s Brown recalled. “I guess people
life changed in an instant as he didn’t know what would happen
drove his squad car up and down next and they thought they might
the peaceful streets of Columbus not be able to get gas for their
on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. cars. They were crowding into
“I was on the north side of the gas stations and the dis-
Columbus when I heard the agreements would break out.
announcement coming across “Just when we would get one
the radio that a plane had just disagreement settled, we would
flown into one of the World Trade get another call from another
Center,” Brown recalled. “Like a station. It got a little crazy. I
lot of people, I thought someone think people just panicked a
had just made a terrible mistake little. We didn’t make many ar-
... until I heard that a second rests that day but we sure did a
plane had hit the other tower. lot of peacekeeping.”
Then I pretty much knew my On Sept. 13, Brown received his
country was under attack and orders to return to active duty.
nothing was going to be the same Brown has spent most of his
for any of us from then on.” adult life in police and security
In shock, Brown had a feeling work in both the civilian and
his time at CPD wouldn’t last military worlds.
much longer. Brown, who had Just two weeks after gradu-
been deployed during the Gulf ating from Silver Creek High
War, was enlisted in the U.S. Air School in Sellersburg, Brown
Force Reserves — so he knew joined the U.S. Air Force in 1976.
the chances of deployment were After completing basic
high. training, he completed advanced
“I felt sad and then I felt mad,” training in military police and
Brown said. “I just knew I had security procedures. He served
a job to do here (in Columbus) on active duty until 1980 when
on that day. Because of what he left the Air Force and moved
had just happened in New York, in with his mother Patsy Brown
I also knew that I would soon and sister Susan Pease in New-
be leaving to do a different job burg, Indiana.
someplace else.” While completing civilian
As reports of the attack on police training at the Indiana
the Pentagon and the downed Law Enforcement Academy, he
aircraft in Pennsylvania came learned of an upcoming opening
across the news broadcasts, the at the CPD. He applied for the
previously quiet morning turned job and was hired in 1981.
into a very busy afternoon for While working additional hours
CPD. in security at the Columbus
“There were a lot of disagree- hospital, he met a young nurse
ments breaking out across town (SEE Service PAGE 8)
PAGE 8 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary
Service difficult of times.
“I was also fortunate to get to know
Continued from page 8 (then) Brig. General Mark Pillar from
Columbus during my time at Grissom.
Though we were from the same town,
named Laura. The couple married in
I really never knew Pillar before. He
1984 and settled in Columbus where
would come in and encourage us all.
they raised son Brad and daughter
It really meant a lot. I have always
Allie.
admired him since.”
Brown remained in civilian status
Brown returned home in April of 2003
until 1987 when he rejoined the Air
and retired from the Air Force in 2004.
Force as a reserve. Soon after retiring from the CPD in
As a member of the Air Force Re- 2005, Brown took a job at the Indiana
serve, Brown remained with CPD, but Police Academy in Plainfield where
also served two days a month on duty he still teaches police tactics, firearms
with the 434rd Security Squadron. He training and other important police
also served two weeks on active duty functions.
at Grissom Air Force Base each year. Since 2016, Brown has also owned
During the Gulf War, Brown was and operated the Brown’s Brazilian
ordered to active duty on his wife Jiu-Jitsu in Columbus, where he now
Laura‘s birthday. He served in South teaches martial arts to around 100 B rown file
Dakota for three months during that students.
time. Name: Mike Brown Military awards and decorations:
Currently, Mike and Laura spend
Returning home, he resumed his Age: 63 Meritorious Service Medal, Good Con-
much of their free time in shared ac-
job as a CPD officer And a member Branch: Air Force, Air Force Reserves duct Medal, Small Arms Marksmenship
tivities at First Christian Church.
of the Air Force Reserve until he was “I think, as Americans, we all
Ribbon, 1982 Officer of the Year for suc-
Years of service: 29
activated again after 9/11. learned something on the day of 9/11 in cessfully reviving two people in cardiac
“I was fortunate that my unit was Post-military career: Columbus Po- arrest by performing CPR.
2001,” Brown said. “As Americans, we
assigned to Grissom Air Force Base, lice Department Captain (1981-2005);
felt safe as a nation but, on that day, Family: wife, Laura; son, Brad (Valerie)
but it was still hard to be away from teacher at the Indiana Police Academy in
we learned just how vulnerable we re- Brown; daughter, Allie Brown; grandson,
my family most of those two years,” Plainfield since 2005; currently owns and
ally are. On 9/11, as a nation we were Elliot Brown.
Brown said. “It was during Allie’s brought to our knees. We were hurt
operates Brown’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in
junior high years and Brad’s years at and most of us felt the pain. As Ameri- Columbus.
Butler. I missed most all of their activ- cans, we rose up and we overcame.”
ities during those years. Laura was the Brown feels that the U.S. can tackle
glue that held our family together. I do any challenge, and is thankful for his
want to mention here that the families time in the military.
of military members do serve too. “Sure, today we are facing problems
Their lives are also affected greatly.” and we don’t always agree about how
Members of the 434 Security we should fix them,” Brown said. “In
Squadron were given the responsibility America, we still all have a voice and
of maintaining security of personnel, we should hear all the different views.
buildings, equipment and aircraft at That is what makes the world go
Grissom Air Force Base. around.
“I was very fortunate to serve with “At the end of this day the Creator
the people I served with at Grissom,” gave us, we are all fortunate to be
Brown said. “I’m so very proud to have Americans. We should all live this life
worked with such an awesome group to the fullest and be the kind of good
of men and women during the most people God created us to be.”
IN-35076231
IN-35076105
SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 9
WAY N E B A K E R | A R M Y STORY BY BRIAN BLAIR | PHOTOS BY MIKE WOLANIN
in the U.S. Air Force who has long
been among the SALUTE! organizers,
has mentioned more than once that
getting one howitzer for a Memorial
Day weekend event is significant. He
has said that getting three or four
is nearly unheard of these days. He
was originally the person who se-
cured the military machinery before
Baker joined the concert organizing
committee.
‘ HEA R THE
“Wayne had much better connec-
tions than I did,” Pillar said.
‘ But Baker originally became con-
nected to the local extravaganza in
2005 as one of the leaders of Scout
Troop No. 588 passing out mini-Amer-
ican flags at the event. He took over
his current role a few years afterward.
And he pointed out that getting the
»
equipment from either Bloomington
or Indianapolis, a process that begins
The man responsible for SALUTE’s each October, is hardly automatic.
“You have to remember that there
military might loves the patriotic noise are a lot of great events in Indiana,”
Baker said. “There’s a lot of compe-
tition especially on Memorial Day
weekend, including from events such
as the Indy 500. So, it’s never really
guaranteed. ... But they always come
through.”
The proud son of Vietnam combat
Army medic Larry Baker of Co-
Wayne Baker makes the annual the 52-year-old Baker said of the children pulling the chord to lumbus, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry,
SALUTE! concert go boom, baby. howitzers. fire a practice shot before the Wayne has regularly wished that he
He’s responsible for the At the concert, the gleaming, concert. He remembers his first could share the emotional thanks he
thunderous shots that seem- black Indiana National Guard SALUTE! received from the public when he
ingly signal the beginning of the cannons put a huge punctuation “It was very amazing,” said returned from service in places such
Memorial Day weekend in south- mark on the Columbus Indiana Baker, a VPI sourcing manager as Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He
central Indiana. Philharmonic’s presentation of for Cummins Inc. “It was emo- thinks of that because he recalls that
In fact, the relatively quiet Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic tional. It just made me so proud.” most Vietnam soldiers returned home
Columbus resident and retired “1812 Overture” that closes the David Bowden, the Phil- nationwide to anger and disrespect
24-year U.S. Army and U.S. Army event. The two to four sleek, harmonic’s longtime artistic for a conflict that stirred dissension
National Guard veteran is the ceremonial weapons booming director, first proposed making among many.
guy who makes sure the 105mm blanks across the sky also attract the cannons an extended part His dad and his father’s peers in
howitzer cannons, the Humvees, everyone from youngsters to the of the orchestra’s celebratory Vietnam deserved better, as he sees it.
the Blackhawk helicopter and young-at-heart to witness their instrumentation among a crowd “All these gentlemen had it much
more make the family event a ferocious firepower up close and that often is estimated at 5,000 tougher than we had it,” Baker said.
grand one along Second Street. personal. people or more. “So I have so much respect and
“It’s quite amazing to hear Baker himself even once posted Columbus resident Mark Pillar,
the thunder of these weapons,” a video clip of one of his own a retired two-star major general (SEE THUNDER PAGE 24)
PAGE 10 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th AnniversaryTh ey gave their tomorrows for our todays ...
The columns of the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans bear the names of 183 men and one woman from Bartholomew
County who were killed or died in the wars of the 20th and 21st centuries. The concept for the memorial is to pay tribute to all
the veterans of this community, with special recognition given to these 184 who made the ultimate sacrifice. Please take a few
moments to visit the memorial before or after the concert. In the words of one observer, “The pillars offer a profound and medi-
tative space, a solemn experience which engenders a powerful sense of communal gratitude to those who have made the ultimate
sacrifices.”
DONALD D. ALVIS GALE DIXON ARTHUR HUNTER HERBERT NEWBY CHARLES SMILEY
JOSEPH ANDERSON JERRY DOWNS EDWARD HUNTER MILLARD NEWSOM BILLY SMITH
JOHN ARRINGTON FRANKLIN DULONG JONATHAN HUNTER FLOYD NOE REED L. SMITH, JR.
DAVID ASKEW JACK DURBIN GEORGE IRWIN NEAL NOLAND ROBERT L. SMITH
JAMES ALLEN BAKER GERALD ECKELMAN JESSE JENKINS JEANNE LEWELLEN ROBERT SPICER
JESSE BAKER HERSCHEL ECKELMAN EDGAR JONES NORBECK JOHN STEARNS
RUFUS BAKER CARL ECKELMAN DAMON JUDD VICTOR NYSEWANDER WILBUR STEINKAMP
RAYMOND BARBOUR STEVEN C. EPPERSON LOWELL KANOUSE JOHN F. OSTICK CHARLES STILLABOWER
ROBERT D. BARKES AARON ESSEX ARTHUR KELLER WALTER OTT, JR. WALTER STILLABOWER
JOHN A. BARLOW ROBERT FERRENBURG FREDERICK KELLER GARY PACE JAMES STOUT
CLARENCE BELL DONALD FIELDS GROVER KINNEY CLARENCE PALMER JAMES STRINGER
JOHN C. BISHOP CURTIS FINDLEY CHESTER LANE HARRY PATRICK JOSEPH STROUP
EDWARD BLAIR WILLIAM FISHER ROBERT W. LANGWELL VIRGIL PHILLIPS JOSEPH STUCKEY
HOWARD BOXMAN JOHN FUEL JAMES LARKIN LEO PLUNKETT LOUIS TABOR
GLENN BOWERS, JR. FRANK GASTON CHARLES LEMING WILLIAM PUMPHREY GLEN TATEM
JAMES E. BREWER WALTER GOLDEN ROBERT LIND ALAN RANDALL WILLIAM THOMPSON
RONDAL C. BROWN JEFFREY GOSSETT HUBERT W. LOESCH HOMER REEDY MAURICE THORNBURG
WILLIAM BROWN FREDRICK GRAHAM HARLEY LONG MILTON REEVES ERNEST TRIMPE
ELBERT BUMBALOUGH LEONARD GRAHAM WILLIAM LUCAS RICHARD REGAN OSKAR TRIMPE
FORREST BURNS AVERY GREEN CARL MCMILLAN HOWARD RENO JOHN TROTTER
STEVEN BURTON DELMAR GREEN CHESTER MCNEALY SHERMAN RHUDE LOREN VOILES
ALBERT CAMPFIELD WILBUR GUTHRIE JEREMY MCQUEARY MELVIN RICHESON KENT VOYLES
THOMAS CARMICHAEL GORDON HAGGARD JOSEPH MACY FLOYD ROBERTSON EVERETT WAGNER
T. DELMONTE CARPENTER WILLIAM HALE WILLIAM MADDOCK FRANCIS ROBERTSON WILLIAM WEALES
GARNETT CAVENDER EARL HALL LOWELL MAHONEY MAX ROBERTSON GREGORY WEISNER
DENNIS CHOMEL ERNEST HALL CASSIUS N. MARLIN BERNARD ROSS ELDON WHITIS
DONALD G. CLARK RANDALL HARRIS JONATHAN MENKE JULIUS ROUPP FRANK WILCOXSON
HARLEY CLARK DONALD HARRISON ERVEN MEYER FRANK SACHLABEN JOHN WILLIAMS
MERLE CLARK ROBERT HAYES MARTIN MILLER FRANCIS SCHEIDT REED WILLIAMS
HUGO CLAYCAMP CARL HEAGY ROBERT MILLER DAVID SCHLEHUSER SAMPSON WILLOUGHBY
JESSE COCHRAN RUSSELL HENDERSON MARVIN MONROE JOSEPH SCHWARTZKOPF CARL WILSON
ROBERT CODY RALPH HILL DONALD LEE MOORE RAYMOND SCROGHINES GEORGE W. WILSON
EARL COLTER WAYNE HILL MAX MOUSER EMMETT SHACKELFORD ALVA WOODRUFF, JR.
JOHN COX JACK HOGAN ORVILLE MOYER EDWIN SHARP BENJAMIN WOEHRMAN
BEN CROUCH GEORGE W. HORTON PAUL NADING RUSSELL SHEPHERD LESLIE WOODS
JOHN CRUMP JOHN HOVIS KARL NEUERT DONALD SHOAF DON WRIGHT
PETER DAUM JACKIE HULSE
RALPH L. DENNY JAMES ROBERT HUNT
Memorial Day Observance
Patriot Sponsors: Monday, May 31st
Chris Raskob 9:00 am — Tossing of rose petals into East Fork White River from the
Eric Robbins Robert N. Stewart Bridge. This ceremony honors all military personnel
who died in naval engagements.
Estep & Company
10:00 am — Ceremony at the veteran’s section of Garland Brook
Friends of Salute: Cemetery. This ceremony is designed to be more religious in substance
than other local observances. With more than 3,000 veterans buried in
Automobile Diagnostics Columbus’ largest cemetery, this ceremony has been held annually since
1972.
Daughters of the American
11:00 am — Community Memorial Day observance at the Bartholomew
Revolution County Memorial for Veterans, southwest of the county courthouse.
Myers-Reed Chapel, Since the names of all veterans who have died since Nov. 11, 2019 will be
read during a balloon release, the program is expected to last a full hour.
Hathaway-Myers Chapel & Those in attendance are urged to bring their own lawn chairs, as well as
The Columbus Crematory wear a mask, and maintain social distancing.
SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 11General Marietta Simpson
Mark Pillar
General Mark Pillar
Marietta Simpson, known for
her deeply expressive, beautiful Salute! 2021
retired after 37 years of mezzosoprano voice, has sung Columbus Indiana Philharmonic
service to his country. with every major orchestra
His last assignment was in the United States under
many of the world’s greatest
Dr. David Bowden,
at the Pentagon in the
conductors. She made her Conductor
Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Air Carnegie Hall debut in 1988
Force for Acquisition. as soloist in Brahms’s Alto Marietta Simpson,
His other assignments Rhapsody with the Atlanta Vocal Soloist
included Da Nang Air Symphony Orchestra and
Base, Republic of South Vietnam, where he served Robert Shaw.
Major General Mark Pillar,
as an EC-47 pilot and flew over 90 combat missions. Ms. Simpson has also sung with many of the major European USAF (Ret.), Military Ceremonies
Upon his return to the United States, he began flying orchestras and performed on many of the great operatic stages
KC-135 refueling aircraft at Grissom Air Force Base, across the US and around the world.
Bunker Hill, IN. In 1978, he transferred to the Air
Force Reserve and held numerous positions within Marietta has an extensive discography, has several Grammy
nominated recordings, and was a soloist in a Grammy-Award-winning Washington Post March Sousa
the 434th Air Refueling Group. General Pillar flew
missions in support of Desert Shield (1990), Desert recording on the Naxos label. National Emblem March Bagley
Storm (1991) and the Bosnia no-fly zone (1999). Her many television appearances include the Emmy Award-winning, Present the Colors
During Operation Joint Force he was the vice Strange Fruit with guitarist Tyron Cooper and Emmy nominated
commander of the 60th Air Expeditionary Wing, Musical Threads: A Musical Journey. Among her many awards is the
Star Spangled Banner Smith
Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany. Temple University Certificate of Honor for Distinguished Alumna The Pledge of Allegiance
and the Leontyne Price Award. The Posting of the Colors
Mark and his wife, Linda, live in Columbus and have
two grown children, Matt and Lacey and and two Marietta currently serves as Distinguished Rudy Professor of Music Salute! Songs of the Armed Forces arr. Powers
granddaughters Linda and Anna Gobert. Mark serves and President-Elect of the Bloomington Faculty Council at the
on the Columbus Airport Board of Commissioners Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Seventy-Six Trombones Willson/Ricketts
and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Board of Duke Ellington Medley Ellington/Custer
Directors.
A Patriotic Singalong America the Beautiful Ward/Dragon
America the Beautiful Navy Hymn Dykes/Powers
David Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain; Recognition of Veterans by Military Conflict
For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain.
Bowden America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
Hymn to the Fallen from Saving Private Ryan
David Bowden,
And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.
Williams
Artistic Director Flag Folding Ceremony
and Conductor America Three Volley Salute
of the Columbus My country ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died. Land of the pilgrim’s pride,
Taps – Moment of Silence
Indiana
Philharmonic From every mountainside, let freedom ring. Let There Be Peace on Earth
since its Miller & Jackson/Ades
God Bless America
founding in 1987, earned a doctorate in orchestral
God bless America, land that I love, A Patriotic Singalong traditional
conducting and a master’s degree in choral
Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.
conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs
From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam.
America the Beautiful
School of Music. He met his wife, Donna, playing America
God bless America, my home sweet home.
intramural volleyball while attending the Wheaton God Bless America
God bless America, my home sweet home.
College Conservatory of Music. Originally from
North Carolina, he loves both the mountains and Sound of Music Medley Rodgers/Bennett
the ocean. He is an avid reader and a basketball fan The Salute! concert will include a flag folding Star Wars Medley Williams/Burden
and enjoys spending time with his family – including
his five grandchildren. David is deeply committed ceremony honoring those who sacrificed their lives to Retire the Colors
to music education and loves to see students excited protect our freedoms: A Salute to the Big Bands arr. Custer
about music—he knows that making music changes Some Gave All!
lives. Winner of the Patriot Award in 2005, David - All Gave Some. Semper Fidelis Sousa
said, “The annual Salute! Concert is perhaps my The flag is being given to the Joseph 1812 Overture: Finale Tchaikovsky
most favorite of the entire year – my father-in-law Hart Chapter of the Daughters of the
was a WWII Ex-POW, and I believe it is important American Revolution in honor of their Stars and Stripes Forever Sousa
to remember and honor those who have served 100th year anniversary
our country and, in some cases, given the ultimate
sacrifice, because freedom isn’t free.”
PAGE 12 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th AnniversarySalute! Tributes! Salute!
Committee
Dan and Susan Arnholt James & Suellen Gillespie Joe and Lisa Lohmeyer Bob and Jane St. Henry
Willis and Cathy Bahnsen In Memory of Harry McCawley In Honor of Steve and Chris Lohmeyer In Memory of Robert J. St. Henry and
In Honor of Willis Bahnsen Jr., Vietnam Mary Jane and Max Gordon In Memory of Fred and Henry Lohmeyer Walter G. Mackenzie
and Sgt. Matt Bahnsen- Regular Army
In Memory of Willis Bahnsen Sr., WWII
In Memory of Chief Quartermaster James
Robert Hunt
Terry and Pat Maloney Tracy Stachniak
In Honor of Tony Nelipovich,
Columbus Indiana
Thomas R. and Marion W. Marshall
Dave and Sharon Baldwin Jeanne and Jim Green In Memory of Robert S. Marshall Thank you for your service! Philharmonic Staff:
In Memory of Harry J. Baldwin, In Honor of William Hoehn Greg Marshall Steve and Christi Tam
Lt. Col. USMC In Memory of Walter Hoehn, Fred In Memory of those who gave their In Memory and Honor of all Heidi Kelley,
Paul and Pat Bippen Alfele,Fred A. Alfele, Paul Alfele tomorrows for our todays servicemembers past, present, and future Executive Director
In Memory of those who gave their Victoria Griffin Connie and John McGinty Betty L. Tuttle
tomorrows for our todays In Honor of Charles Sefton, USAF, In Memory of Dads, Uncles, In Memory of Genevieve “Jean” Piccione David Bowden,
Christopher Baldwin, US Army, WWII Vet- WAC Womens Army Corps
Winter Bottum
Lisa Baldwin, US Army
and Grandpas who all Served Philharmonic Music Director
In Memory of Cable G. Ball Paul and Peggy Miner Tom Vickers
Army 10th Air Corp Bill and Ann Haas In Honor of SFC Paul Miner, USA (Ret) In Memory of John C. Walter Donnie Robinette,
In Honor of Patrick Samuels (Great Bill and Garlene Weisner
David and Donna Sjaardema Bowden
Nephew) Active Special Forces Lynn and Janice Montgomery
In Memory of Robert Lloyd Smith and
Facilities Manager
In Memory of Donald Sjaardema, Army In Memory of Howard Montgomery
Tracy Haddad Gregory C. Weisner as well as those who
Air Corps, WWII, ex-POW
In Honor of Robert Haddad Dick and Nancy Nyers gave their tomorrows for our todays
Megan Rawlings,
Roger and Jan Brinkman
Dave and LaDonna Hall In Memory of Norman Bullard Jeffrey Welker Resource Development Associate
J. Kevin Butler Army Lt. Colonel WWII
In Memory of Mike Hall, USMC In Memory of those who gave their
In Memory of James N. Butler
Don and Patsy Harris
and Andrew Conoley tomorrows for our todays Lexi Schneider,
Coast Guard Boatswains Mate
Sher and Joe Cunningham In Honor of Roger D. Burke, Ret. Air Force Tom and Sara Wood Patron Services Manager
In Memory of those who gave their Rene and Brandi (Burke) Kammel- Army Mary and Bob Orben In Memory of Lt. Colonel George Kimmel,
tomorrows for our todays
Joyce Heckman Lenora Parrott John Ellis, Air Force Veteran, Vanessa Edwards,
Tom and Kathy Dell In Honor of Sr. Airman Jeffery K.W.
In Memory of Col. Darvin Appel
In Honor of Danny Dixon US Army and
Parrott, USAF Retired
and our uncles who served: Production/Education Coordinator
Jerry Greene US Air Force George Mott, Bud Russell,
In Memory of Lt. Col. Robert L.
Danny and Connie Dixon
In Honor of Danny Dixon (Vietnam)
Toots and Jim Henderson
McCracken, USAF Retired
Bob Jones, Jack Cornea,
Dr. William Johnson
Additional Support:
In Memory of those who gave their
Mark and Linda Pillar
Larry and Karen Durnil tomorrows for our todays
In Memory of PVT Roy Hunteman (Army)
Dave and Laurie Wright Major General Mark Pillar,
In Memory of those who gave their Kim and Helen Henderson In Memory of Maj. Harold F Mason, USAF
tomorrows for our todays In memory of those who gave their
LTC George A. Pillar (USA) Madonna Yates USAF (Ret)
CPL Paul Hunteman (USA-5) In Memory of those who gave their
Greg and Vanessa Edwards tomorrows for our todays. Capt. Mike Richardson and
CDR Samuel A. Pillar (USN) tomorrows for our todays
In Honor of Harry Edwards Matt and Theresa Hotek
and Bob Harden In Honor of Sgt. Tom Hotek (Ret.)
E-7 Michael M. Pillar (USA)
Suzi, Melissa, Jason, Hope, and Jonathan Sgt. Matt Harris,
SFC Terry P. Pillar (USA)
Laurie Edwards and Lt. Col. John Hotek (Ret.) E-5 Harry McCawley
In Honor of Larry C. Brown Columbus Police Department
In Honor of Joey Edwards, USMC (Ret.) In Memory of Sgt. Edward Halfacre (Dec.), Anonymous
Beth Booth Poor
In Memory of Charles Olim; Sgt. Martin McCawley (Dec.),
In Honor of William E. Poor, Vietnam Tally and Lisa Lykins Family Tim Reinbold,
and Sgt. Lucelia McCawley (Dec.)
Nancy Edwards 1968-1971 In Honor of Private First Class Rick Trimpe,
In Honor of CIC Elijah Edwards, USAFA Jim and Susie Huntington Rachel Bullough
In Memory of those who gave their
Buck and Nea Ritz
and Major Kaman Lykins Bartholomew County Courthouse
Zack and Glinda Ellison In Memory of Mr. Forrest A. Ritz
tomorrows for our todays
Melissa Fairbanks
Larry and Judy Jackson
Margaret Roush Nancy Smith,
In Honor of Mark A. Pillar, In Memory of Beloved Husband Ensign
Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret) Virginia F. Johnson Columbus East Band Boosters
Robert Roush, USN *Tributes received on or before May 18th.
Sherm and Jacquie Franz Pauline Jordan John and Donna Sasse A full list will be posted on the
In Honor of Daly Walker In Memory of Rev. M. Bucky Jordan In Memory of Martin H. Shulz, U.S. Army, CIP website and printed in
Mr. and Mrs. Basil Fritsch Gordon and Barbara Lake WWI The Republic around July 4th.
In Honor of Gregory J. Pence, Michael J. Ryan and Blair Lauer Colin and Linda Scheidt
Pence, and Basil Fritsch In Memory of Laurence Lauer,
In Memory of Edward Joseph Pence Lost at Sea, US Navy
In memory of those who gave their
tomorrows for our todays COVID
Judy Gayle
In Memory of Lloyd M. Griffin
Tom and Pam Lego
In Memory of Charles Wells Sr.
Nancy Smith
In Honor of Matt Akers, U.S. Navy Retired RECOMMENDATIONS:
and those who gave their tomorrows
for our todays
and William H. Lego In Memory of R. Stanley McClain, U.S.
Navy WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO:
• The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic
is limited to 1000 attendees.
Additional support for Salute! 2021 provided by: • There will be four zones designated
American Heritage Girls Columbus City Sanitation Department Notables for 250 people each. You will receive
a colored wristband when you enter
American Legion Post- 24 Columbus East Band Boosters Packing Corporation of America
the zone.
AMVETS Post- 509 Columbus Indiana Huey Helicopter Robin Shanks, Sound Technician
Bartholomew County Courthouse Staff Ellis Tents and Events SIHO Insurance Services • Social distancing is highly
Boy Scout Troop 588 Indiana University’s J. Irwin Miller Architec- United Way of Bartholomew County recommended.
Ceraland ture Program at The Republic Building VFW Post- 1987 • Masks are requested when away from
Coca-Cola Bottling Company Joint Force Headquarters, Indiana Young Marines your group.
The Cole Forester Electric • Please do not set up chairs or blankets
Columbus City Hall Staff Milestone Contractors in seating areas prior to 5:00 p.m.
SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 13A FREE Community Concert to Honor Our Veterans
FRIDAY MAY 28, 2021 * 7:00 PM
Second and Washington Street, Columbus, IN on the grounds of
the Bartholomew County Memorial for Veterans. COVID
(Rain Location: Erne Auditorium – Columbus North High School) RECOMMENDATIONS:
There will be four zones designated for 250 people each. WHAT TO KNOW
BEFORE YOU GO:
You will receive a colored wristband when you enter the zone. • The Columbus Indiana
Ground and Food Concessions Open at 5pm Philharmonic is limited to
1000 attendees.
• Social distancing is highly
Premier sponsors: recommended.
• Masks are requested when
Columbus Indiana Philharmonic
away from your group.
Board of Directors
• Please do not set up chairs
Dave and Jo McKinney or blankets in seating
Bartholomew County areas prior to 5:00 p.m.
Commissioners City of Columbus
IN-35075784
PAGE 14 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th AnniversaryD AV I D F I E L D S | A R M Y STORY BY BARNEY QUICK| PHOTOS BY JANA JONES
c o mmi t men t &
»
Army veteran filled variety
of roles in 32 years
“The Army doesn’t just teach you 7th Infantry. At the time, he worked
to do things, it teaches you to do on equipment and towed tanks and
them well,” said David Fields, Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
reflecting on his 32 years of service While stationed in Europe, it
in that military branch. “When I do became increasingly apparent that
something now, I try to do it right.” the United States was going to lead
Fields couldn’t have antici- an international effort to liberate
pated the adventure and personal Kuwait from Sadddam Hussein’s
transformation he was going to regime in Iraq.
experience when he enlisted as an From December 1990 until May
18-year-old in 1988. 1991, Fields was deployed in the
He’d given a little consideration Middle East.
to studying mechanical engineering “I was only 20 years old. The only
at Purdue University, but “didn’t re- communications with home were
ally want to go to college.” However, letters and a couple of opportunities
he did tell his recruiter that he was to call,” Fields said. “We were com-
interested in being a mechanic. pletely away from everything in our
“I’d worked on cars in high own self-contained little town.”
school,” Fields said. “I enjoyed Fields’ unit was in Saudi Arabia,
working with my hands.” waiting for the Desert Storm
Fields completed his basic and ground war to start in 1991. When
advanced training and attendance the moment came in February, he
at vehicle recovery school at Fort
was part of the unit that crossed
Knox in Kentucky.
into Iraq.
From April of 1989 to August 1991,
Being support personnel, his unit
he was stationed in Aschaffenburg,
Germany with the 1st Battalion, (SEE sacrifice PAGE 23)
Thank You Veterans! Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum
The museum preserves the history of
the former Bakalar Air Force Base. Displays
include an air base barracks section,
Columbus, Indiana Municipal Airport operating WWII era rotating beacon,
home-front WWII locally manufactured
military items, large scale model military
aircraft, plus many other air base
historical displays. Always free admission.
For hours of operation or to schedule a
1080 S. Gladstone Ave. group tour, call the museum at 812-372-
4356. Follow us on Facebook or visit our
Columbus, IN 47201 website for museum news and updates on the
Charlie 119 project. We can be contacted
www.boyermachine.com via email at 434abmuseum@gmail.com.
PRECISION CNC MACHINING
IN-35075691
(812) 379-9581 Atterbury-Bakalar Air Museum, Inc.
4742 Ray Boll Boulevard
Columbus, IN 47203
www.atterburybakalarairmuseum.org
SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th Anniversary May 27, 2021 | PAGE 15M A R K P I LL A R | A I R F O R C E STORY BY TOM JEKEL | PHOTOS BY MIKE WOLANIN
»
received a fully paid scholarship through
ROTC.
“If you flunked out and got bad grades,
you’d be in a rice paddy (in Vietnam) with
a rifle. It was definitely an incentive to do
well,” he said.
Pillar had been born in 1948 on an historic
day for America: Dec. 7. Seven years ear-
Pillar felt destined to serve in military lier to the day, Japanese planes attacked
the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, killing
2,403 Americans, which ushered the United
States into World War II.
Retired two-star Air Force Major General “Dad was a pipefitter while also serving
“My mom joked that if I had been a girl,
Mark Pillar believes he was destined to in the Army National Guard. If you didn’t
they would have named me Pearl,” Pillar
serve in the military. show up, you didn’t get paid.”
said. “I wanted to fly. I liked the discipline.
His dad, the late George Pillar, was a After graduating from his high school in
I liked the people — people that came from
lieutenant colonel and combat engineer Gary, where his family had moved, Pillar
different backgrounds to perform a noble
in the U.S. Army. The senior Pillar’s unit enrolled at the University of Evansville to
task.”
ran petroleum oil and lubricating pipes to study math before switching to marketing.
So Pillar became an airman, commis-
provide gas and oil for armed forces op- However, he had other career aspirations
sioned a second lieutenant in the United
erating in France, England, Belgium and on his mind.
States Air Force after graduating from the
Germany during World War II. “I had long discussions with my dad and
Reserve Officer Training Corp.
Growing up in Hobart, Indiana, Mark his Uncle Sam (not the poster character)
Pillar went through pilot training in 1971-
Pillar learned from both parents — his about the military and about flying. When
1972, then served as a pilot in Vietnam,
mother Margaret was a hotel recep- I got to Evansville, I enrolled in ROTC,”
Laos, Cambodia and Thailand in 1972-1973.
tionist and bank teller before becoming Pillar said. “I was physically fit to fly,
He was assigned to Grissom Air Force
a homemaker — about taking personal with 20/15 vision, and qualified to become
Base near Peru, Indiana, in 1973. He and fu-
responsibility. a pilot. Being in ROTC resulted in a little
ture wife Linda, who he had met in college
“We were taught to show up and do what extra scholarship money.”
you were supposed to do,” Pillar said. His final two years at Evansville, Pillar (SEE AMBITION PAGE 17)
PAGE 16 | May 27, 2021 SALUTE ★ 9/11 20th AnniversaryAMBITION
Continued from page 16 P illar file
Name: Mark Pillar
and started dating in 1974, were mar-
ried later that year and lived in base Age: 72
housing. Branch: U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve
Pillar resigned his regular com- Years of military service: 37
mission in the active Air Force while
stationed at Grissom, but immediately Non-military career: Commercial pilot, Delta
signed up to be part of a new reserve Airlines, 1978-2005
tanker unit that was looking for pilots. Military awards and decorations: From more
“I walked across the street and got than 20 received, Pillar considers these four the
myself a job,” he said. “It was an in- most significant — Distinguished Flying Cross, Dis-
surance policy, if you will.” tinguished Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Domestic airline companies were Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.
hiring young pilots, but windows of op- Family: Married to Linda since Dec. 7, 1974; chil-
portunity closed at age 30 1/2. dren, Son Matthew (wife Magen) Pillar, Columbus;
“I was coming up on that number. If daughter Lacey (husband Matt) Gobert, Nashville,
a job with the airlines didn’t work out, Indiana; grandchildren Linda and Anna Gobert.
I had a backstop,” Pillar said.
But he got the commercial pilot job Community service: Military oriented —
anyway, hired by Delta Airlines. Bartholomew County Veterans Committee,
Mark and Linda were living in Peach 2005-present, SALUTE! concert, Memorial Day,
Tree City, Georgia, when Delta was Veterans Day and 9/11 ceremonies. Non-military
opening a hub in Cincinnati. — Columbus Indiana Philharmonic board member,
For job-commuting purposes, they 2005-present (president, 2012-2015); Columbus
would need to live within 16 hours of aviation board, 2016-present (president since
the airport. Proximity to family was 2019); and Columbus Rotary Club, 2005-present
also an important factor for the couple, (president, 2012).
as Linda had six sisters in Bluffton,
Indiana, and Mark had four brothers
and a sister in various parts of the
Hoosier State.
The Pillars discovered Columbus and
determined it to be a friendly commu- until their new home in Tipton Lakes great finishing spot,” attaining that A drummer in his high school and
nity with good schools — important for was completed in 1992. goal in 1992. college concert and marching bands,
a family with grade-school children. All the while, Pillar maintained But more promotions were in store Pillar got involved with the Columbus
Housing was affordably-priced and the his part-time career in the Air Force as he would stay in the Air Force Re- Indiana Philharmonic orchestra that
city also had a vital business commu- Reserve. serve another 13 years. first year. He later served 2012-2015 as
nity, he said. “Once you get your 20 (years) in After retiring from Delta in 2005, Philharmonic president and continues
“It was a real downtown, not just your back pocket, you can retire having extra time on his hands allowed to serve on the orchestra board to this
T-shirts, wig shops and bail-bonds anytime. (But) I was committed. I had Pillar to volunteer in his home com- day.
offices,” Pillar said, describing other ambition,” Pillar said. munity — and did so with the same Among many community activities,
places he had lived. “It was a very nice While he never entered the military enthusiasm he showed for the military. Pillar also serves on the Bartholomew
community.” with the idea of becoming a general, “I no longer had two jobs and I had County Veterans Committee, helping
The Pillars bought a lakeside prop- he felt being a lieutenant colonel and free time for stuff I wanted to do,” he plan Memorial Day and Veterans Day
erty in 1990, then rented in Columbus squadron commander “would be a said. ceremonies.
We Support
Our Veterans
305 Washington St., Columbus, Indiana
(812) 372-7829 2040 Cottage Ave.
TR-31964211
www.jwinsurance.com (812) 379-4911
IN-35076116 IN-35076241
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