Published: June 15, 2009 04:17 pm      

American Legion honors fallen comrade

SPEEDWAY — In the American Legion Post 500’s more than 60-year history, they’ve only lost one member in active military duty.

They honored him last weekend with the unveiling of a permanent memorial outside the entrance of the post off Georgetown Road.

U.S. Army Private Zachary Nordmeyer, 21, was killed in battle Feb. 23 in Iraq. He was a member of the Army’s 25th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Wainwright, Ala. Two other members of his unit, 21-year-old Michael Mayne of Burlington Flats, N.Y., and Michael Alleman of Logan, Utah, were also killed.

Nordmeyer joined Post 500 when he was on leave last August. Many of his relatives, including his father Michael and grandfather Paul, are also members. His membership into the American Legion was the last time Paul saw him.

People within Post 500 began thinking of a way to honor Nordmeyer’s service and memory. Randy Smith suggested a rock with a plaque. He, Paul, and Post Commander William May went to the IMI quarry in McCordsville to find a rock.

“They were the greatest people to work with,” May said. “You couldn’t have asked for nicer people. It took quite a bit to unearth that rock. Then they had to split it because it was way too big.”

Smith, who owns a dump truck company, hauled both back. The family chose the one now on display for its ruggedness and the fact that it’s made of granite.

That process started in March.

“Everything else fell right in place after Memorial Day,” Paul said.

May gives ultimate credit to Smith for making the memorial possible.

“Without his vision, this project wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

Smith added, “We just needed to do something. We changed it 15 times, but it turned out looking good. I’ve heard nothing bad.”

A pickup featuring the airbrushed visages of Nordmeyer, Mayne, and Alleman also was on display at the dedication. That was the work of Eric Ward, who works through Michael’s shop, Indy Body Werks.

“You cannot believe the outpouring from the community,” May said. “It’s just unbelievable.”

A big crowd assembled for the official unveiling Saturday afternoon. Members of the Ben Davis High School ROTC, of which Nordmeyer was a member before graduating in 2007, presented the colors. A representative of the Gordon Pipers played bagpipes and William “Tutu” Woods played “Taps.”

“May this monument be a constant reminder of the sacrifice of our fallen comrade, as well as those military members and their families who serve and allow us this right to assemble,” May told the assembly.

Michael and Paul hugged after the unveiling.

“It looks good out there,” Paul said.

wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com