INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) – The 500 Festival announced Wednesday that General Robert B. Abrams, the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces, will be the Keynote Speaker at the 500 Festival Memorial Service.
The Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce, will be held Friday, May 26 from Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial in Downtown Indianapolis.
The event is free and open to the public.
Abrams is a four-star general serving as the 22nd Commanding General of the U.S. Army Forces Command.
In his 35 years since graduating from West Point, General Abrams has led units in combat operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We’re honored to have General Abrams speak at this year’s 500 Festival Memorial Service, presented by Rolls-Royce,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival in a news release. “May is about a lot of things in Indiana, but we must not forget to remember those who died to protect us this Memorial Day. General Abrams’ many years of service and sacrifice are truly amazing. His passion for protecting our freedom, and remembering those who died protecting it, are what this Memorial Service is all about.”
Joining General Abrams at the service will bes Major General Courtney P. Carr, the Adjutant General of Indiana and leader of the Indiana Army and Air National Guard, the Indiana Guard Reserve, and state employees all totaling over 15,800 personnel to meet state and federal missions. General Carr graduated from the Military Academy one year after Abrams.
The service will include a color guard and performances by the Capital City Chorus and the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band. A wreath-laying ceremony and a horse-drawn caisson will be presented by the Indiana National Guard Headquarters Ceremonial Unit. The caisson carries the remains of the fallen service member, while the caparisoned horse trails behind.
