STATEHOUSE (Nov. 15, 2023) – State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) recently presented a Sagamore of the Wabash to local veteran advocate and volunteer firefighter Don Finnegan.
Finnegan, whose son and father served in the military, serves as president of the Indiana chapter of Honor and Remember, which works to recognize the sacrifice of fallen service members by presenting flags to Gold Star families. As president, Finnegan worked to have the Honor and Remember Flag adopted as Indiana's official symbol to recognize fallen service members. On Oct. 8, 2022, Finnegan presented his 300th personalized Honor and Remember flag.
"This Veterans Day weekend was an appropriate time to recognize a man who has worked so hard in our community and state to ensure fallen military members are never forgotten," Prescott said. "Don is an inspiration to us all, and I thank for him his tireless service on behalf of veterans and their families."
Finnegan also serves as director for Indiana Run for the Fallen, a marathon that spans 140 miles over three days. Runners stop at each mile marker to read off the names of fallen Indiana service men and women. In 2022, the runners read off 547 names of fallen Hoosiers, the names of which were placed by Finnegan preceding the event.
The son of a World War II veteran, Finnegan has served as commander of his local American Veterans Sons Chapter, the Indiana chapter and national chapter.
Finnegan retired as a volunteer firefighter in Muncie after 24 years of service. He continues to volunteer with the American Red Cross, teaching classes and driving emergency response vehicles. For his work with the Red Cross, Finnegan provides meals and drinks to first responders and families affected by fires.
Dating back to the 1940s, the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created by former Gov. Ralph Gates. It is the highest honor the governor can bestow and is presented to distinguished Hoosiers who have made significant contributions to the state of Indiana.
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State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties, and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
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