The Friends of Ernie Pyle conducted a Remembrance Ceremony on April 18 at the Ernie Pyle Rest Park on U.S. 36 just east of Dana.
Melanie Kashon, 2025 Queen of the Ernie Pyle Firemen’s Festival, placed a wreath at the memorial, an exact replica of the one on Ie Shima, where Pyle was killed by Japanese machine gun fire 81 years ago.
Andy Chandler, archivist at the Ernie Pyle World War II Museum in Dana, delivered the keynote address at the ceremony. Members of the North Vermillion High School Notables sang the National Anthem. Holden Rankin of the North Vermillion band played Taps.
Veterans from local organizations were on hand to present the colors.
