STATEHOUSE (April 4, 2025) – The Indiana General Assembly unanimously approved legislation sponsored by State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) and authored by State Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) to support Fort Wayne's Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum's efforts in establishing a columbarium to commemorate fallen Hoosier veterans.
The VNMSM's board aims to install a columbarium, an aboveground structure designed to store multiple cremation urns and personal mementos in individual niches, which was gifted to the organization. After encountering an unexpected financial challenge due to a state requirement mandating a $100,000 deposit into a cemetery perpetual care fund to ensure the protection and maintenance of remains, board members reached out to Carbaugh for assistance.
"Our goal is to honor and respect Hoosier veterans by making sure their final resting places are maintained with care," Carbaugh said. "Senate Enrolled Act 520 will provide a sustainable funding structure for these sacred spaces so that the Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum can continue to give dignified resting places for those who have served our country."
Busch said Senate Enrolled Act 520 would waive the upfront deposit fee for the Fort Wayne veteran-focused nonprofit, allowing them to move forward with the columbarium project.
"The Veterans National Memorial Shrine and Museum always goes above and beyond to ensure veterans are honored at the highest level possible," Busch said. "This bill will eliminate the financial burden that has prevented the organization from proceeding with their efforts to establish an esteemed resting place honoring Hoosier veterans."
Carbaugh said Senate Enrolled Act 520 is specifically designed to waive the state deposit requirement for the veteran-oriented nonprofit in Fort Wayne. Proceeds from columbarium niche sales will be placed into a trust fund dedicated to the perpetual care and maintenance of the structure and property. The donated columbarium, a three-piece structure, features 157 niches available exclusively to veterans.
Busch said the 40-acre site features memorials, monuments and a museum, serving as a tribute to servicemembers from past conflicts. The VNMSM's 6,000 square-foot museum showcases over 2,000 artifacts from every American war since the Revolutionary War. Recent additions to the grounds include the Korean War Memorial that features 7-foot-tall statues of men on patrol. Visitors can also view an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, mirroring the original Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. The exhibits and collections attract visitors from all across the nation to honor and remember fallen heroes.
Senate Enrolled Act 520 passed both the House and Senate unanimously and will now move to the governor's desk for consideration as a new law. For more information, or to watch session and committee meetings live, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) represents House District 81,
which includes a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Sen. Justin Busch (R-Fort Wayne) represents Senate District 16,
which includes Whitley County and a portion of Allen County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
