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Military Resources
Not everything having to do with the military is as simple as monuments, museums or memorials. Some things that don't fit into that category are the resources available to learn more about the military, genealogy, and veterans.
Veterans will find resources from non-profits dedicated to helping them return home and to civilian life. Both the American Legion and the Indiana Veterans Center are great resources for returning veterans, and Blue Star Museums honor our military veterans by offering various free services.
Civilians will find resources to help extend their research into the military history of Indiana, whether that be through the State Library or researching your own genealogy via the Allen County Public Library Genealogical Center.
Have additions or corrections?
Contact our Director of Sports Tourism & Event Planning, Noelle Szydlyk, at nszydlyk@visitindiana.com
Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs
Museums that are free to military veterans and their families are in blue and the ones in red give military discounts for veterans and their families.
Indiana National Guard Soldier and Family Readiness Centers
Your First Stop. The Indiana Army National Guard’s Soldier and Family Readiness Center provides support to Service Members, Veterans and their Families for a full range of situations and incidences that might hamper the mission, their quality of life or their overall wellbeing. We are a one-stop shop for our Guard members who are seeking current and accurate information to help navigate local services and programs. This is offered irrespective of the service member’s marital or duty status whether they are single, married or with dependents – active guard reserve, or traditional Soldiers. With 8 locations across the state of Indiana, our goal is to become a trusted source to quell issues, concerns, or answer questions for our troops. We are the state of Indiana’s ‘Resource of Resources’.
INVets, Operation Job Ready Vets, Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans, representatives from the Volunteers of America (VOA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion (AL)
The American Legion is built on a promise from men and women who swore with their lives to defend and protect the United States through military service. The promise begins at enlistment, grows through training and discipline in the U.S. Armed Forces and continues after discharge as veterans in service to community, state and nation. In times of crisis, The American Legion steps into the turmoil and fights to provide needed assistance for others. Veterans in need of advocates to help them achieve meaningful careers, education, health-care services, friends and stable homes are supported every day, free of charge, by The American Legion.
Among American Legion members, there is no rank or prejudice, only purpose. A veteran is a veteran. And the purpose of veterans in The American Legion is to strengthen the United States of America through programs, services, compassion and actions that have proven vital, timeless and life-changing for over a century.
Military Informational Resources
Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame
Founded in 2020, the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring individuals who have uniquely contributed to Indiana’s rich legacy of aviation achievement through service, innovation, or entrepreneurial spirit. The purpose of the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame is to preserve and memorialize the outstanding accomplishments of those inducted into it.
Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame
Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional Hoosier veterans from all wars which the United States has been involved. Nominations are accepted for veterans from the Revolutionary War to modern-day conflicts. The memorial publicly emphasizes the honor brought to our state and nation by the sacrifice of Indiana military veterans and their families. While many other states have established similar organizations, we are believed to be the only free-standing memorial of this kind in the United States. Annually, we induct 15 outstanding Hoosiers into the Hall of Fame and include their biographies on kiosks at our memorial, as well as some military memorabilia.
Indiana Dept of Natural Resources - Division of Historic Preservation
The Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology promotes the conservation of Indiana's historic and prehistoric places through public education efforts, financial incentives including several grant and tax credit programs, and the administration of state and federally mandated legislation. Programs include National Register of Historic Places (Indiana portion), historic property inventory, preservation of archaeological sites and related data, historic cemeteries, review of federal and state-funded projects, and grants and tax incentives for listed properties.
Indiana Historical Bureau
The Indiana Historical Bureau (IHB), a division of the Indiana State Library, provides publications, programs, and other opportunities for Indiana citizens of all ages to learn and teach about the history of their communities, the state of Indiana, and their relationships to the nation and the world. IHB has operated the public-driven Indiana State Historical Marker Program since 1946.
Military Service Abbreviations
With so many titles in the military, it is often hard to keep them straight. That's not to mention the acronyms and other abbreviations used by the military. This resource is a "cheat sheet" if you are curious or don't have all the abbreviations memorized.
Indiana State Library - Indiana Memory Digital Collections
Indiana Memory is a collaborative effort to provide access to the wealth of primary sources in Indiana libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions. It is a gateway to Indiana's history and culture found in digitized books, manuscripts, photographs, newspapers, maps, and other media.
Allen County Public Library
The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) Genealogy Center is a unique and valuable resource for the Northeastern Indiana community and the entire genealogical community at large. One of the largest research collections available, ACPL incorporates records from around the world. ACPL staff specializes in genealogy and is always available to help.
The Genealogy Center also provides customers with access to some of the largest and best military databases. Military records are vital to family history research and The Genealogy Center maintains an “Our Military Heritage” section on its website at www.GenealogyCenter.info/military.
Indiana Courthouse Square Pictoral Directory
The pictorial directory has photos of all 92 Indiana County Courthouses. It is incredible to have all of these photos in one place, and many of them also include the military memorials that are on the Courthouse Grounds. It is an incredible resource to get high-quality images of these memorials.
