Small Business Week Begins in Indiana

Beech Grove, IN (April 29, 2018) — Indiana is home to more than 500,000 small businesses employing more than 1 million Hoosiers, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Throughout National Small Business Week, April 29 through May 6, a variety of opportunities will be provided to help entrepreneurs succeed and Hoosiers are being asked to consider how they can better support small businesses.

National Small Business Week 

While operating a new or small business is often a fulfilling career, it presents many challenges. The U.S. Small Business Administration offers a variety of resources to help meet the needs of business owners. Throughout this week, the Small Business Administration will be conducting recognition ceremonies, educational and networking events, and resource fairs highlighting the services and resources available to owners of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

A webinar for veterans who want to open a small business will take place on May 1. Also on that day, the Small Business Road Map Workshop will be held in Indianapolis, with mini information sessions and opportunities to connect with organizations helping small businesses for free. Bikersinc, a non-profit located in Beech Grove, Indiana offers a program that assists qualified veterans and their families with registering an LLC, social media presence and more, all for free. To learn more, visit www.Bikersinc.org. There will also be a National Small Business Week Virtual Conference May 1-3. To register for these events and learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

In Indiana, INBiz.in.gov is the state’s one-stop resource for registering and managing a business, as well as ensuring it complies with state laws. This online portal is a product of a collaborative effort by Indiana’s Secretary of State, Department of Workforce Development and the Department of Revenue, and provides a streamlined process for the state to meet the needs of business owners throughout Indiana. By visiting inbiz.in.gov, Hoosiers can register a company name, file business reports and obtain permits. 

America is home to nearly 30 million small businesses, and consumers need to do their part to support independent companies that boost our economy and provide local jobs. For your next purchase or service need, please consider turning to a local, small business.

SOURCE: Indiana Business Alliance

Folded Flag

Marines folding a flag for former Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert H. Barrow

Has two men with starch white gloves

Fold the colors ‘til they touch

It’s probably more than I deserve

But I’m proud to get this much

Sending all the love I ever had

Inside this folded flag

It will sit here on the mantle

For many years to come

And every time you pass it by

I hope you feel my love

Two men with starch white gloves

Fold the colors ‘til they touch

Probably more than I deserve

But I’m proud to get this much

I’m sending all the love I ever had

Inside this folded flag

Sending all the love I ever had

Inside this folded flag

Aaron Lewis - “Folded Flag”

Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Indianapolis

WASHINGTON (NNS) (April 13, 2018) VRI — The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, April 14, in Marinette, Wisconsin.

The future USS Indianapolis, designated LCS-17, honors Indianapolis, Indiana's state capital. She will be the fourth ship to bear the name.

The principal speaker will be former U.S. Senator Richard Lugar of Indiana. Mrs. Jill Donnelly, wife of U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly of Indiana, will serve as the ship's sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, she will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.

MARINETTE, Wisc. (March 30, 2018) The future littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis (LCS 17) is moved from an indoor production facility in Marinette, Wisc., to launchways in preparation for its upcoming launch into the Menomenee River. 

(U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Marinette Marine by Val Ihde/Released)

"The future USS Indianapolis honors more than a city, it pays tribute to the legacy of those who served during the final days of World War II on board USS Indianapolis (CA-35)," said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. "This ship will continue the proud legacy of service embodied in the name Indianapolis, and is a testament to the true partnership between the Navy and industry."

LCS-17 is the fourth ship to carry the name of Indiana's capital city. The most recent Indianapolis was a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, commissioned Jan. 5, 1980, which served through the end of the Cold War before being decommissioned in 1998. The first Indianapolis was a steamer built for the U.S. Shipping Board (USSB) and commissioned directly into the Navy in 1918. After two runs to Europe, the ship was returned to the USSB following the war. It is the second Indianapolis (CA 35)-a cruiser-that is perhaps the best known of the three. 

The ship was sunk in the final days of World War II, and her crew spent several days in the water awaiting rescue. But it was her impressive war record that first brought the ship to the attention of Navy leaders and the American public. The ship and her crew served faithfully throughout the war, seeing action in the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, Saipan, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In addition to frequently serving as the flagship of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, the ship earned 10 battle stars for World War II service and successfully completed a top secret mission delivering components of the instrument that ended the war.

The future USS Indianapolis is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric "anti-access" threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship, designed to meet validated fleet requirements for surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine countermeasures (MCM) missions in the littoral region. An interchangeable mission package is embarked on each LCS and provides the primary mission systems in one of these warfare areas. Using an open architecture design, modular weapons, sensor systems and a variety of manned and unmanned vehicles to gain, sustain and exploit littoral maritime supremacy, LCS provides U.S. joint force access to critical areas in multiple theaters.

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant, designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin (for the odd-numbered hulls). The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls).

Story Number: NNS180412-15 Release Date: 4/12/2018 2:40:00 PM

SOURCE: U.S. Navy

Military Veterans Hall of Fame celebrates memorial building

Lawrence, IN, (April 6, 2018) VRI — The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF) celebrated the official opening of its permanent building at 5360 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis on April 5.

The grand opening ceremony consisted of remarks by those who helped establish the IMVHOF including Sen. Joe Donnelly, Steve Collier (mayor of Lawrence), John McKenzie (president of the Indiana Credit Union League), John Bartlett (Indiana District 95 state representative) and Col. (U.S. Army retired) Russell Dowden, chairman of the IMVHOF.

The Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame (IMVHOF) celebrated the official opening of its permanent building at 5360 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis on April 5. 
Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The event was attended by over 100 government dignitaries, current and retired military servicemen and women, those previously inducted into the IMVHOF, and honored guests. A ribbon cutting and tours of the facility were also a part of the grand opening celebration. Open to the public for self-guided tours, the building’s hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The memorial facility is the only free-standing memorial of its kind in the nation. It honors all those inducted into the IMVHOF, 62 Hoosier veterans to date from all branches of the Armed Forces for their outstanding military and civilian service during and after active duty.

The facility’s construction, comprised of red brick and Indiana limestone, was funded by Indiana’s credit unions, their business partners, and several private donations totaling more than $330,000. The interior of the building consists of electronic kiosks that display photos and biographies of each of the IMVHOF’s inductees and military memorabilia from various eras. The building sits on land donated by Indiana Department of the American Legion Headquarters.

Commemorative bricks are available for purchase at imvhof.com and will be placed in the circular entrance of the IMVHOF building.

SOURCE: The Flyer Group

Soldiers provide religious support to troops

Beech Grove, IN, (April 4, 2018) VRI — Beech Grove residents and Indiana National Guardsmen Cliff Pappe and Aron Wetzel are providing spiritual support to members of the armed forces through their service with the 135th Chaplain Detachment, which was deployed to Kuwait in March.

Maj. Cliff Pappe (L) and Sgt. Aron Wetzel (R) have been deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Submitted Photo

Maj. Pappe, a chaplain, and his assistant, Sgt. Wetzel, were deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield.

“It’s a chance to serve soldiers and provide ministry to others,” said Pappe during his deployment ceremony at Stout Field on the West side. “We are not only representing our state and country, but also our community.”

Pappe said the 135th is the only Indiana Guard unit with its members from the same hometown.

He and Wetzel will provide religious support to thousands of troops.

​

Lt. Col. Jim Staggers, the Guard’s deputy chaplain, advised and reassured the two deploying soldiers during his speech. 

“Use your time during this deployment well. Focus on what you have and what you can do. I don’t want you to ever forget who has your back. You’re Indiana National Guardsmen; we will always get you back; we will care for your families.”

SOURCE: The Southsider Voice