STATEHOUSE (Sept. 16, 2026) – Recently, State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) participated in the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Wall at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Middlebury as part of the community's ceremony recognizing the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
More than 100 people attended the dedication on Friday including veterans, supporters and community members. The memorial was entirely funded by contributions from the community.
"I believe we must do more than thank our veterans," King said. "We must know their stories. We must teach our children who they are. We must make sure their sacrifices are not forgotten and they know that the country they served still remembers."
The Veterans Memorial Wall displays the names of over 400 service members who are buried at Grace Lawn Cemetery. Dozens more buried in the township and greater Middlebury community are memorialized on bricks in front of the wall. The grassy areas surrounding the wall will become a cremation site for veterans and their spouses. Families can also request to have service members' names added to bricks.
"More than 400 men and women from one community who raised their right hand and made a promise to our country," King said. "More than 400 people who were willing to leave their families, their homes and their communities to defend something bigger than themselves. That is what I hope we remember. Freedom doesn’t happen by accident. Freedom has always required someone willing to stand up and defend it."
King will serve as a co-chair of the 13th annual Indiana Military & Veterans Legislative Day on Jan. 12, 2027, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. She's inviting veterans and service members from her district to attend to meet with their state legislators and learn more about policies impacting the military. Contact King's office at in.gov/h49 or 317-232-9657 for more information.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes the eastern portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION 1: State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) speaks during the dedication of the Veterans Memorial Wall on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Middlebury as part of the community's ceremony recognizing the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The Veterans Memorial Wall displays the names of over 400 service members who are buried at Grace Lawn Cemetery.
