STATEHOUSE (June 16, 2025) – Gov. Mike Braun recently ceremonially signed into law legislation supported by State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) to promote the efforts of Fort Wayne's Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum in establishing a columbarium to commemorate fallen Hoosier veterans.
The VNMSM's board plans to install a gifted columbarium, an aboveground structure designed to hold cremation urns and personal mementos in individual niches. When an unexpected financial hurdle arose due to a state requirement for a $100,000 deposit into a perpetual care fund to ensure long-term maintenance and protection, they reached out to lawmakers to assist.
Senate Enrolled Act 520 waives the required upfront deposit fee, cutting red tape for the Fort Wayne nonprofit, and allows the VNMSM to move forward with their plans for the columbarium. Instead of the fee, funds from the sale of columbarium niches will go into a dedicated trust to ensure the ongoing care and upkeep of the structure and surrounding grounds.
Goss-Reaves, the daughter of a fallen U.S. Navy corpsman who served with the Marines in Vietnam and author of a book about her father’s service and sacrifice, was invited to the event by State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) due to her ongoing support for the legislation. The Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum, which features the original traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, recently began offering her book in its gift shop.
"Every veteran who has served our nation deserves to be remembered with lasting honor," Goss-Reaves said. "This columbarium will help preserve the legacies of local fallen veterans in a place built to reflect our deepest gratitude and respect. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to support this nonprofit and its efforts to provide a final resting place for our heroes."
The donated three-piece columbarium includes 157 niches reserved exclusively for veterans.
Goss-Reaves highlighted that the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum spans 40 acres and serves as a powerful tribute to those who have served in America’s armed forces. The 6,000-square-foot museum features more than 2,000 artifacts from every U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War. Among its recent additions are a Korean War Memorial with 7-foot-tall statues of soldiers on patrol and an 80-percent-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, echoing the original in Washington, D.C. Goss-Reaves said these meaningful exhibits continue to draw visitors nationwide to honor and remember our fallen heroes.
To learn more about SEA 520 and other new laws signed by the governor, click here.
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State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes portions of Grant and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) (fourth from right) joins Gov. Mike Braun (seated) on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum (VNMSM) in Fort Wayne for the ceremonial signing of legislation to support the museum’s efforts to establish a columbarium honoring fallen Hoosier veterans. The legislation was sponsored by State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) (fifth from left) and authored by State Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) (fifth from right). Also pictured are co-sponsors State Reps. Chris Judy (R-Fort Wayne) (second from left) and David Abbott (R-Rome City) (fourth from left), along with VNMSM board members Robert Thomas (third from left), Pat Fraizer (center, standing), Eric Johnson (third from right), Bob Earl (second from right), and Greg Bedford (far right).
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