The American Legion to dedicate marker stone at the Governor's Residence

INDIANAPOLIS, June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Commander of The American Legion, Department of Indiana, Ed Trice in a joint ceremony with Governor Mike Pence and First Lady Karen Pence, will dedicate a marker stone at the base of the flagpole near the main entrance to the Governor's Residence at 9 a.m. June 4.

The limestone marker stone was quarried from southern Indiana and the plaque mounted to the stone identifies the flagpole as being dedicated to all Veterans of Indiana. The flagpole and plaque were officially dedicated in a ceremony Dec. 7 2013, as part of the state's Pearl Harbor Day commemoration ceremonies. The placement of the marker stone by the flagpole will allow the plaque to be read by visiting dignitaries and help serve as a center point to the building's main entrance. The flagpole, plaque and marker stone were donated by the 89,000 Legionnaires of the Department of Indiana.

70 years prior to this day, June 4, 1944, 156,000 American and Allied Soldiers were loading ships in English ports and preparing to embark on the "Great Crusade." This great crusade that Gen Eisenhower dubbed it in his personal message to the Invasion Troops would cost the Allied countries 4,414 dead in one day during the D-Day landings of 6 June ,1944. But it would lead to freeing millions of Europeans from the Nazi chains of oppression. Many Indiana veterans were part of that mighty undertaking and dedicating the marker stone on this day will assist the state in recognizing their efforts in defense of freedom.

SOURCE American Legion Department of Indiana