Bloomington’s VFW Post 604 hosted Annual Memorial Day Service
Brian Stewart of the Bloomington VFW Post was the EmCee of this year’s Memorial Day Service, held annually at Valhalla Cemetery, on Bloomington’s Westside. The service began about 10am with the Bloomington Community Band performing and the Presentation of Colors by Boy Scout Troops 148 & 1148. A couple of hundred looked on, enjoying the respect provided for those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Military. There were many Veterans looking on as well as a surprising number of younger children, providing hope that the respect and memory of American Heroes will continue for years to come.
The ceremony itself lasted about an hour, with an Invocation, welcoming comments, the reading of poems, the performance of patriotic songs, a Keynote Address by Marine Corps Sergeant David Sommerdorf, a 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps by the Southern Indiana Bag Pipe and Drum Corps.
Maryland Wins Big Ten Baseball Tournament
Top-seeded Terrapins capture first-ever Tournament Championship
Top seed Maryland completed an undefeated run through the Big Ten Baseball Tournament, defeating third seed Iowa, 4-0, in the championship game Sunday before 6,567 fans at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The Terrapins (41-19), who went 4-0 this week, clinched their first Big Ten Tournament title and receive the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Home runs from Kevin Keister and Nick Lorusso in the fifth inning provided all the offense Maryland would need as five Terrapin pitchers combined for a five-hitter. Lorusso was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Iowa (42-14) went 3-1 during the tournament and placed four players on the all-tournament team
Free Fishing Weekend, June 3-4
All Indiana residents, regardless of age, can fish in public waters on June 3 and 4 without needing to purchase a fishing license. Do you have a friend or family member who is fishing curious? This is a great opportunity to introduce them to angling! Need another fishing pole? Free fishing equipment rental is available at the Paynetown Activity Center between 1 and 5 p.m. both days – stop in for details or call us at 812-837-9967.
Youth Fishing Derby, June 3 from 9 to 10:30am (Paynetown SRA)
Cast a line and catch a fish! Kids, ages 16 and under, are invited to participate in this free, just-for-fun fishing derby at the Paynetown fishing dock (across from the beach). Borrow our equipment or bring your own; bait will be provided. A prize drawing will be held at 10:30am for all participants! New and beginning anglers are welcome; volunteer instructors will be on hand to teach and assist as needed.
Indiana Conservation Officers hold Memorial & Awards Ceremony
A ceremony was recently held to remember fallen Indiana Conservation Officers and recognize current officers for their excellence while serving the state and its citizens. The seven members of the Department of Natural Resources Division of Law Enforcement who have died in the line of duty since its inception in 1911 were honored in the Indiana Government Center auditorium in Indianapolis. Those officers, listed with their end of watch date, are Sgt. Ed Bollman, Feb. 13, 2018; F/Sgt. Karl E. Kelley, April 17, 1998; Officer Thomas Deniston, Oct. 16, 1990; Officer James D. Pitzer, Jan. 2, 1961; Officer Robert S. Perkins, May 27, 1958; Warden William J. Nattkemper, April 27, 1926; and Warden William J. Peare, April 27, 1926.
Indiana conservation officers are law enforcement officers for the DNR, and the DNR Division of Law Enforcement is the oldest Indiana state law enforcement agency. A total of 214 conservation officers serve the state. After the memorial ceremony, the division recognized current individual officers for their outstanding service.
- District 6 Officer Nick Wilson, assigned to Hendricks County, was selected as the James D. Pitzer Indiana Conservation Officer of the Year. The award recognizes Wilson as the top officer of 2022, as selected from the 10 district officer of the year recipients.
- The Pitzer award is named for an officer who was killed in the line of duty in Jay County. The recipient demonstrates professional ethics, attitude, and service to the public while demonstrating dedication to the principles of the conservation of natural resources and the enforcement of laws affecting the department. The officer must also demonstrate the ability to provide a positive influence, develop camaraderie within the ranks, and gain the confidence and respect of fellow officers.
- Sgt. Pete Slavin received the Director’s Leadership Award for his work overseeing officers in operational district 5 in the western portion of the state and assisting with field training new officers.
- District 3 Officer Jarred Coffing was recognized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as the state’s Boating Enforcement Officer of the Year and for his leadership in boating education.
- District 2 Officer Nathan Cooper was presented with the 2022 Waterfowl Protection Officer of the Year award for his enforcement of waterfowl regulations and his related performance in public education and community interaction.
- Conservation Officer Hunter Law of district 1 was honored with a Life Saving Award for his exceptional actions that resulted in the saving of a life.
Learn more about DNR Law Enforcement at on dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor.
This Week in Hoosier History
1989 – A hit in the United States “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” written by Izzy Stradlin and Axl Rose of Lafayette, gets re-released in the United Kingdom. The song mentions one of their Indiana memories, “She’s got a smile it seems to me / Reminds me of childhood memories / Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky.”
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