The city of Indianapolis has more downtown acres devoted to honoring our servicemen and veterans than any other U.S. city. And yes, as the title states, only Washington, D.C. has more war memorials and monuments than Indy. Start at the Soldiers and Sailor’s Monument and walk north to enjoy the other memorials in the immediate downtown area. You can spend a relaxing and inspirational day taking in the beauty and solitude of these structures and holy grounds honoring those who served so we may be free.
At the center of Monument Circle, the Soldiers and Sailor’s Monument honoring the troops of the Civil War
The Indiana War Memorial honors Hoosiers killed during WWI. It also contains a free museum and records of Indiana servicemen from WWI to the present.
The Obelisk in Veterans Memorial Plaza is centrally located in the 7 block war memorial district listed in the National Register. The flagpoles in the background and another set out of view allow for the flying of all 50 State Flags.
The serenity of the Veterans Memorial Plaza is emphasized on a crisp fall day.
American Legion Mall, with the National and State Legion headquarters on both sides, provide a spacious area for event gatherings. The tomb that is centered between the four columns is the resting place for the first U.S. casualty of WWI, a soldier from Evansville, Indiana. In the distance you can see the Obelisk and the War Memorial building.
Stunning gold eagles atop the columns surrounding the tomb of James Bethal Gresham of Evansville, Indiana, the first U.S. soldier who lost his life in the Great War (WWI).
Looking south on Meridian Street towards Monument Circle. The Veterans Plaza is out of view to the left.
Roadtirement 
Reblogged this on Roadtirement and commented:
Indy is known for honoring its veterans and active servicemen, as this post shows. The strands on the tall monument are Christmas lights strung each year for the traditional “Circle of Lights” displays.
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When we attended the Rotary International convention in Indianapolis in 1998, we followed a “rails to trails” trail to arrive at some memorial or other. I recall there was an elaborate trompe l’oeil painting on the side of a building next to it. I’ve looked at Google Maps/Street View and can’t even figure out where our hotel was, much less where we walked, but we enjoyed it (and I probably have photos somewhere!).
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So much has changed in downtown Indy since ’98. There are memorials all over, including public art next to several museums. Has Rotary International ever been back to Indy? Thanks for sharing.
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