The American Veterans Traveling Tribute displayed at the Rush County fairgrounds was a huge success and very well attended thanks to the efforts of Benevolent Group of Rushville, Inc members, event sponsors, businesses, numerous volunteers, the Rush Co. community, and surrounding area communities.

American Veteran Traveling Tribute and Warrior Rounds were escorted into Rushville from Shelbyville by Rushville Police Dept, Rush Co Sheriffs Dept., Rush Co EMS, local township first responders, and the Indiana Patriot Guard. 

The exhibit was visited by many local students. Mays Academy students placed miniature American Flags and POW/MIA flags along the base of the Vietnam Wall during their visit. Many students could be seen reading the Cost of Freedom panels and taking pictures.

Boy Scout Troop 33 performed Flag Retirement ceremonies during the evening hours. Their ceremonies taught how to respect American flags in need of retirement and were carried out with great respect and reverence. 

The opening ceremony was held on Thursday Aug 3rd with Jim Darnell as host, Larry Mull spoke on behalf of the Benevolent Group of Rushville, Mayor Mike Pavey read the proclamation proclaiming Aug 30 - Sep 3rd as Rushville Freedom Days. Honoree Jeff Houser spoke about the Wall, his crew he lost in Vietnam and his time the US Army/ National Guard. The RCHS Roaring’ Regiment performed the National Anthem and the RCHS Choir sang God Bless the USA. Wreaths in honor of Vietnam Veterans, POW/MIA and Gold Star Families were laid by RCHS FFA members. Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter 1 performed the Missing Man Table Ceremony.

Additional ceremonies with wreath laying were held for Korea Conflict veterans, 1st Responders and Iraq/Afghanistan veterans. 

“Taps” was played every evening at sunset by Isaac Kroedel with volleys by the Rush Co Honor Guard.

Various organizations set up displays in the Community Building and provided information about their organization and their connection to veterans. Organizations included POW/MIA Council of Indianapolis, DAV, Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter 1, Wounded Warrior Project, VFW, Rushville Chapter DAR - Wreaths Across America, Arlington East Hill Cemetery Honor Park, SPARC, Rush Co Veteran Service Officer, Veterans Administration, Rushville Elks Lodge 1307 and American Legion Post 150. There were displays from various eras of US history as well. State representatives from the DAV, VFW, VA and local Rush Co. Veteran Service officer Dannon Todd, provided veteran benefit information and assisted veterans in applying for benefits. Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans was there on Sat. Sept. 2nd honoring Vietnam Veterans as they received their book/DVD “A Time to Honor.” Warrior Rounds from Nashville, Tenn. set up their display outside of the Community Building. Warrior Rounds is a nonprofit organization that pairs veterans with songwriters to help veterans tell their story.

The 80 percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial consists of 144 panels bearing the names of the over 58,000 service members who gave their lives in service to their country. The Cost of Freedom exhibit is 72 panels that pay tribute to American sacrifices from World War I to present day and includes WWII, Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq, Desert Storm/Shield, the Cold War, Beirut, Grenada, USS Cole and more.