2025-01-28T10:59:37-05:00 2024-03-31 351344820 DULIN WARD & DEWALD INC 9921 DUPONT CIRCLE DR W 300 FORT WAYNE IN 468251610 990 2023-04-01 351300823 WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL SHRINE OF AMERICAN HISTORY INC WARV 2606152288 PO BOX 26 ARCOLA IN 46704 GREG BEDFORD COMMANDER 2606152288 2025-01-28 true false CARRIE B MINNICH CPA P00449902 2604232414 2025-01-28 2023 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z GREG BEDFORD PO BOX 26 ARCOLA IN 46704 530351 false X HONORINGFOREVER.ORG X 1973 IN THE ORGANIZATION IS THE CARETAKER OF A 40 ACRE MEMORIAL GROUNDS FEATURING MEMORIALS FOR ALL WARS, THE MERCI TRAIN AND THE MUSEUM. THE OBJECTIVE IS NOT ONLY TO HONOR THE DEAD AND ALL WHO HAVE SERVED, BUT ALSO TO PROVIDE INSPIRATION FOR THE LIVING TO SEARCH FOR AND WORK FOR A BETTER AMERICA. 13 12 1 100 0 555634 478285 0 1203 5191 25244 28795 582081 512271 0 0 14010 23260 0 5027 655128 627804 669138 651064 -87057 -138793 571619 432826 0 571619 432826 X THREE OBJECTIVES DEFINE OUR MISSION STATEMENT DESIGNATED BY FOUNDERS ERIC AND CLEO SCOTT: TO PROVIDE A FOREVER MEMORIAL FOR ALL MILITARY VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PRESERVE ARTIFACTS OF THEIR SERVICE TO GIVE FUTURE GENERATIONS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORICAL PAST OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL SHRINE IN NORTHEASTERN INDIANA WHERE NO VETERAN WILL EVER BE FORGOTTEN. false false 642012 22990 THE BIGGEST PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING FY24 INCLUDE THE DEDICATION OF THE W. PAUL WOLF WAR HISTORY MUSEUM (A 6,000 SQ FT BUILDING) ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2023. OUR EXHIBITS INCLUDE NEW READER BOARDS, MAPS FOR EACH MAJOR WAR, AND NEW DISPLAYS. WE HAVE OVER 3,000 ARTIFACTS IN OUR COLLECTION RANGING FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR THROUGH CURRENT CONFLICTS WITH REPRESENTATION FROM ALL THE BRANCHES OF SERVICE. THE MUSEUM CONTAINS A COFFEE CAF SO VETERANS CAN SHARE THEIR STORIES AND EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM HAS A GIFT SHOP AND ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOMS. THE WALK PATH OF HISTORY, OVER 900 FEET OF SIX-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALKS, WAS POURED DURING FY24. THIS SIDEWALK PROVIDES EASIER ACCESS TO OUR CURRENT MEMORIALS FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED ON AUGUST 7, 2023. THE SULTANA MONUMENT DEDICATION WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. IN NOVEMBER 2023 WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE AN M-247 SGT. YORK ANTI-AIRCRAFT VEHICLE. WE HAD BEEN ON A LIST FOR OVER THREE YEARS WAITING FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVAL TO GET US A SUITABLE MACRO ARTIFACT. IT WAS IN A MUSEUM THAT WAS CLOSING IN VIRGINIA, SO ALL WE HAD TO DO IS RAISE THE FUNDS TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE BY TRUCK TO FORT WAYNE. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2023 WE DEDICATED THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL COMPRISED OF 12 8-FOOT TALL KOREAN SOLDIERS. THESE SOLDIERS ARE FROM NORTHEAST INDIANA. ALL STATUES HAVE THE FACES OF THESE 12 MEN AND ARE SCULPTED OUT OF FIBERGLASS RESIN MATERIAL AND SPRAY PAINTED WITH BRONZE COLORED PAINT TO LOOK LIKE BRONZE FIGURES. WE HAVE A GUEST BOOK THAT VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN LOCATED INSIDE THE MUSEUM GALLERY. DATA FROM THE GUESTBOOK INDICATES THE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED VISITORS (CALENDAR YEARS 2019 - 930, 2020 - 800 (YEAR OF COVID), 2021 - 4,356, 2022 - 3,375, 2023 - 3,907. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL VISITORS SIGN THE GUEST BOOK. THE DATA ALSO DOES NOT CAPTURE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO WALK THE GROUNDS AND LOOK AT THE MEMORIALS DURING OFF-HOURS. WE HAVE OUTSIDE CAMERAS AND IT IS AMAZING AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO WALK THE GROUNDS EVEN WHEN THE MUSEUM IS NOT OPEN. THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL IS LIT UNTIL 9PM AND IS A BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL TO VIEW AT NIGHT. WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A GRANT TO PURCHASE TRAIL COUNTERS IN ORDER TO BETTER CAPTURE VISITOR DATA. WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW MUSEUM SPACE, WE CONVERTED THE OLD MUSEUM GALLERY SPACE INTO AN EVENT SPACE FOR MEETINGS, DINNERS, ETC. THIS HAS PROVIDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A WIDER VARIETY OF EVENTS. THE NUMBER OF SCHEDULED TOURS AND BOOKED EVENTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE. ACTIVITIES DURING FY24 HAVE INCLUDED, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS (E.G., ENDURANCE RUN, RETIREMENT PARTIES, TOURS BY RESIDENTS OF SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES, TOURS BY STUDENTS, WATCH FIRE, FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY, SORORITY NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, MULTIPLE MOTORCYCLE RIDES, REUNIONS, TIME TO HONOR EVENTS (BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR VIETNAM VETERANS), WORK DAYS INVOLVING MULTIPLE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, MULTIPLE CAMP OUTS, COMPANY PICNICS, STUDENTS INTERVIEWING VETERANS, TRAIL TO ZERO RIDE, MIDWEST TANDEM RALLY, SUPPORT GROUPS, VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON, DEDICATION OF MUSEUM AND MEMORIALS, FOCUSED EVENTS SUCH AS WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH. CURRENT MEMORIALS/MONUMENTS/MACRO ARTIFACTS LOCATED ON OUR 40-ACRE PROPERTY INCLUDE AN 80% REPLICA OF THE VIETNAM WALL, THE ROCK OF THE MARNE DIVISION, 7TH ARMORED DIVISION, KOREAN WAR, REVOLUTIONARY WAR, IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN, PURPLE HEART, CIVIL WAR CENOTAPH AREA, CIVIL WAR MONUMENT, WORLD WAR II, VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL, WATCHTOWER, INDIANA'S MERCI BOX CAR, TWO ARTILLERY PIECES, TWO NAVY ANCHORS, A WATER BUFFALO, AND AN M-247 SGT. YORK TANK. THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN DAWN TO DUSK AND THE MUSEUM'S HOURS ARE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE HONORINGFOREVER.ORG AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. ONE OF THE MEMORIALS CURRENTLY IN THE FUND RAISING PHASE IS THE GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL. WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING ADDITIONAL MONUMENTS. FUTURE PLANS: -STERLING CHAPEL - CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING. OUR GOAL IS TO DEDICATE THE CHAPEL ON MAY 2, 2024 (DAY OF PRAYER); HOWEVER, THE CHAPEL WON'T BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY UNTIL FALL 2024. WE CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY FUNDRAISE FOR THIS PROJECT. -LEGACY BRICKS (IN HONOR OF/IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE) ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE FRONT EXTERIOR WALL OF THE CHAPEL HAS A NICE DISPLAY OF LEGACY BRICKS. THE FOCUS OF OUR LEGACY BRICKS WILL TRANSITION TO ERECTING BRICK COLUMNS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE GROUNDS ALONG THE WALK PATH OF HISTORY (E.G., ENTRANCE TO THE WALK PATH, PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL, OEF/OIF/GWOT MEMORIAL, VIETNAM WALKWAY, 40&8 BOXCAR, ETC.). -GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL - THIS MEMORIAL WILL BE DEDICATED IN MAY 2024. -INDIANA'S MERCI BOX CAR - THE 40/8 MERCI BOX CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION. THIS HISTORIC TRAIN CAR WAS PRESENTED TO THE STATE OF INDIANA IN 1949 FROM THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN GOVERNMENTS FOR AMERICA'S HELP TO DEFEAT NAZI GERMANY IN WORLD WAR II. EACH STATE RECEIVED A TRAIN CAR FILLED WITH CULTURAL GIFTS, FURNITURE, JEWELRY, FASHIONS, EVEN WINE AND CHOCOLATE. IT WAS THEIR WAY OF THANKING THEIR CLOSE ALLIES AFTER THE WAR. THE AREA OF THE BUILDING HOUSING THE BOX CAR IS UNDERGOING RENOVATION TO BECOME A MORE PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING GALLERY SPACE, INCLUDING SOME INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGE. PLANS ARE TO RE-DEDICATE THE BOX CAR IN JUNE 2024. THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION (MERCITRAIN.ORG) IS WORKING ON EVENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 49 BOXCARS ARRIVING IN AMERICA FROM FRANCE IN 2024. -PAVILION - A PORTION OF THE BUILDING HOUSES THE BOX CAR (AS NOTED ABOVE). THE OTHER PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS BEING CONVERTED INTO A MAINTENANCE AREA/WORKSHOP. -PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL - THIS MEMORIAL WILL BE REFURBISHED IN FY25. -WALK PATH OF HISTORY - PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE ON OUR GROUNDS FOR VISITORS (E.G., STUDENTS, VETERANS, INTERESTED PEOPLE, ETC.) TO LEARN ABOUT THE VARIOUS WARS AND CONFLICTS THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN. WE CONTINUE TO ADD MEMORIALS. THREE MEMORIALS DEDICATED IN FY24 INCLUDE THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT, THE SULTANA MONUMENT, AND THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL. FUTURE MEMORIALS INCLUDE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, MOTHER GEORGE, WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, DESERT STORM/DESERT SHIELD/OEF/OIF/GWOT, GOLD STAR FAMILIES, WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND WAR DOGS. WE ARE ACTIVELY FUND RAISING FOR THESE MEMORIALS. -EDUCATION - CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT GROUPS (E.G., STUDENTS, VETERANS, SENIORS, SCOUTS, BIKE/CAR GROUPS, ETC.) TO TOUR THE MUSEUM AND GROUNDS. -CONVERT THE CURRENT "TORPEDO ROOM" INTO A LIBRARY/RESEARCH SPACE. WE HAVE A LARGE VOLUME OF BOOKS AND OTHER PAPER DOCUMENTS THAT RESEARCHERS WOULD FIND INTERESTING. -WORK THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF THE COLUMBARIUM PROJECT SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPTION TO PURCHASE A NICHE FOR THEIR CREMAINS. 642012 true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 1 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 13 12 false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false X X SHARON HUDSON 2606152288 PO BOX 26 ARCOLA IN 46704 ROBERT THOMAS MEMBER 10.00 X 18161 0 0 GREG BEDFORD COMMANDER 20.00 X X 0 0 0 PAT FRAIZER 1ST VICE COM 20.00 X X 0 0 0 ERIC JOHNSON 2ND VICE COM 20.00 X X 0 0 0 SHARON HUDSON SECRETARY/TR 20.00 X X 0 0 0 GREG BANICKI MEMBER 1.00 X 0 0 0 BONNIE DAVIS MEMBER 15.00 X 0 0 0 CINDI MARSH MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 BUD MENDENHALL MEMBER 20.00 X 0 0 0 RICK PORFILLIO MEMBER 10.00 X 0 0 0 TIM SCHILD MEMBER 15.00 X 0 0 0 TOM SCHMITT MEMBER 15.00 X 0 0 0 JIM TURVOSKY MEMBER 3.00 X 0 0 0 18161 false false false 11776 250000 216509 478285 5191 5191 850 850 850 850 9900 11776 6720 3180 3180 33500 11360 22140 22140 OTHER INCOME 453220 2625 2625 2625 512271 22990 10996 18161 18161 5099 5099 1500 1500 2022 683 1339 7158 4911 2247 14342 11059 1842 1441 192896 192896 1700 1700 5837 5837 PROGRAM SUPPLIES 401963 401963 OTHER EXPENSES 386 386 651064 642012 4025 5027 172756 382156 398863 50670 571619 432826 0 0 X 87467 333742 484152 99084 571619 432826 571619 432826 -138793 X false false false X 201201 287916 1388651 555634 478285 2911687 201201 287916 1388651 555634 478285 2911687 2911687 635 1203 6041 7879 30764 3313 27040 25244 27945 114306 3033872 34350 0.95970 0.94950 X PART II, LINE 10 SPECIAL EVENTS - NET 19,052 SALES - NET 30,281 OTHER INCOME 64,973 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED GOLF OUTING 21676 11776 9900 6720 21676 11776 9900 6720 6720 3180 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION THREE OBJECTIVES DEFINE OUR MISSION STATEMENT DESIGNATED BY FOUNDERS ERIC AND CLEO SCOTT: TO PROVIDE A FOREVER MEMORIAL FOR ALL MILITARY VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PRESERVE ARTIFACTS OF THEIR SERVICE TO GIVE FUTURE GENERATIONS A BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORICAL PAST OF THE UNITED STATES; TO PROVIDE A NATIONAL SHRINE IN NORTHEASTERN INDIANA WHERE NO VETERAN WILL EVER BE FORGOTTEN. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A THE BIGGEST PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING FY24 INCLUDE THE DEDICATION OF THE W. PAUL WOLF WAR HISTORY MUSEUM (A 6,000 SQ FT BUILDING) ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2023. OUR EXHIBITS INCLUDE NEW READER BOARDS, MAPS FOR EACH MAJOR WAR, AND NEW DISPLAYS. WE HAVE OVER 3,000 ARTIFACTS IN OUR COLLECTION RANGING FROM THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR THROUGH CURRENT CONFLICTS WITH REPRESENTATION FROM ALL THE BRANCHES OF SERVICE. THE MUSEUM CONTAINS A COFFEE CAF SO VETERANS CAN SHARE THEIR STORIES AND EXPERIENCES. IN ADDITION, THE MUSEUM HAS A GIFT SHOP AND ADA COMPLIANT RESTROOMS. THE WALK PATH OF HISTORY, OVER 900 FEET OF SIX-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALKS, WAS POURED DURING FY24. THIS SIDEWALK PROVIDES EASIER ACCESS TO OUR CURRENT MEMORIALS FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT WAS DEDICATED ON AUGUST 7, 2023. THE SULTANA MONUMENT DEDICATION WAS HELD ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. IN NOVEMBER 2023 WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE AN M-247 SGT. YORK ANTI-AIRCRAFT VEHICLE. WE HAD BEEN ON A LIST FOR OVER THREE YEARS WAITING FOR GOVERNMENT APPROVAL TO GET US A SUITABLE MACRO ARTIFACT. IT WAS IN A MUSEUM THAT WAS CLOSING IN VIRGINIA, SO ALL WE HAD TO DO IS RAISE THE FUNDS TO TRANSPORT THE VEHICLE BY TRUCK TO FORT WAYNE. ON NOVEMBER 11, 2023 WE DEDICATED THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL COMPRISED OF 12 8-FOOT TALL KOREAN SOLDIERS. THESE SOLDIERS ARE FROM NORTHEAST INDIANA. ALL STATUES HAVE THE FACES OF THESE 12 MEN AND ARE SCULPTED OUT OF FIBERGLASS RESIN MATERIAL AND SPRAY PAINTED WITH BRONZE COLORED PAINT TO LOOK LIKE BRONZE FIGURES. WE HAVE A GUEST BOOK THAT VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SIGN LOCATED INSIDE THE MUSEUM GALLERY. DATA FROM THE GUESTBOOK INDICATES THE FOLLOWING NUMBER OF DOCUMENTED VISITORS (CALENDAR YEARS 2019 - 930, 2020 - 800 (YEAR OF COVID), 2021 - 4,356, 2022 - 3,375, 2023 - 3,907. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NOT ALL VISITORS SIGN THE GUEST BOOK. THE DATA ALSO DOES NOT CAPTURE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO WALK THE GROUNDS AND LOOK AT THE MEMORIALS DURING OFF-HOURS. WE HAVE OUTSIDE CAMERAS AND IT IS AMAZING AT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO WALK THE GROUNDS EVEN WHEN THE MUSEUM IS NOT OPEN. THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL IS LIT UNTIL 9PM AND IS A BEAUTIFUL MEMORIAL TO VIEW AT NIGHT. WE HAVE APPLIED FOR A GRANT TO PURCHASE TRAIL COUNTERS IN ORDER TO BETTER CAPTURE VISITOR DATA. WITH THE OPENING OF THE NEW MUSEUM SPACE, WE CONVERTED THE OLD MUSEUM GALLERY SPACE INTO AN EVENT SPACE FOR MEETINGS, DINNERS, ETC. THIS HAS PROVIDED US THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A WIDER VARIETY OF EVENTS. THE NUMBER OF SCHEDULED TOURS AND BOOKED EVENTS CONTINUE TO INCREASE. ACTIVITIES DURING FY24 HAVE INCLUDED, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO A WIDE VARIETY OF EVENTS (E.G., ENDURANCE RUN, RETIREMENT PARTIES, TOURS BY RESIDENTS OF SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES, TOURS BY STUDENTS, WATCH FIRE, FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY, SORORITY NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, MULTIPLE MOTORCYCLE RIDES, REUNIONS, TIME TO HONOR EVENTS (BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR VIETNAM VETERANS), WORK DAYS INVOLVING MULTIPLE BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS, MULTIPLE CAMP OUTS, COMPANY PICNICS, STUDENTS INTERVIEWING VETERANS, TRAIL TO ZERO RIDE, MIDWEST TANDEM RALLY, SUPPORT GROUPS, VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON, DEDICATION OF MUSEUM AND MEMORIALS, FOCUSED EVENTS SUCH AS WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH. CURRENT MEMORIALS/MONUMENTS/MACRO ARTIFACTS LOCATED ON OUR 40-ACRE PROPERTY INCLUDE AN 80% REPLICA OF THE VIETNAM WALL, THE ROCK OF THE MARNE DIVISION, 7TH ARMORED DIVISION, KOREAN WAR, REVOLUTIONARY WAR, IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN, PURPLE HEART, CIVIL WAR CENOTAPH AREA, CIVIL WAR MONUMENT, WORLD WAR II, VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL, WATCHTOWER, INDIANA'S MERCI BOX CAR, TWO ARTILLERY PIECES, TWO NAVY ANCHORS, A WATER BUFFALO, AND AN M-247 SGT. YORK TANK. THE GROUNDS ARE OPEN DAWN TO DUSK AND THE MUSEUM'S HOURS ARE POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE HONORINGFOREVER.ORG AND OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. ONE OF THE MEMORIALS CURRENTLY IN THE FUND RAISING PHASE IS THE GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL. WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN SPONSORING ADDITIONAL MONUMENTS. FUTURE PLANS: -STERLING CHAPEL - CONSTRUCTION IS ONGOING. OUR GOAL IS TO DEDICATE THE CHAPEL ON MAY 2, 2024 (DAY OF PRAYER); HOWEVER, THE CHAPEL WON'T BE READY FOR OCCUPANCY UNTIL FALL 2024. WE CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY FUNDRAISE FOR THIS PROJECT. -LEGACY BRICKS (IN HONOR OF/IN MEMORY OF SOMEONE) ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. THE FRONT EXTERIOR WALL OF THE CHAPEL HAS A NICE DISPLAY OF LEGACY BRICKS. THE FOCUS OF OUR LEGACY BRICKS WILL TRANSITION TO ERECTING BRICK COLUMNS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE GROUNDS ALONG THE WALK PATH OF HISTORY (E.G., ENTRANCE TO THE WALK PATH, PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL, OEF/OIF/GWOT MEMORIAL, VIETNAM WALKWAY, 40&8 BOXCAR, ETC.). -GOLD STAR FAMILY MEMORIAL - THIS MEMORIAL WILL BE DEDICATED IN MAY 2024. -INDIANA'S MERCI BOX CAR - THE 40/8 MERCI BOX CAR HAS BEEN COMPLETELY RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION. THIS HISTORIC TRAIN CAR WAS PRESENTED TO THE STATE OF INDIANA IN 1949 FROM THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN GOVERNMENTS FOR AMERICA'S HELP TO DEFEAT NAZI GERMANY IN WORLD WAR II. EACH STATE RECEIVED A TRAIN CAR FILLED WITH CULTURAL GIFTS, FURNITURE, JEWELRY, FASHIONS, EVEN WINE AND CHOCOLATE. IT WAS THEIR WAY OF THANKING THEIR CLOSE ALLIES AFTER THE WAR. THE AREA OF THE BUILDING HOUSING THE BOX CAR IS UNDERGOING RENOVATION TO BECOME A MORE PROFESSIONAL-LOOKING GALLERY SPACE, INCLUDING SOME INFORMATIONAL SIGNAGE. PLANS ARE TO RE-DEDICATE THE BOX CAR IN JUNE 2024. THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION (MERCITRAIN.ORG) IS WORKING ON EVENTS TO RECOGNIZE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 49 BOXCARS ARRIVING IN AMERICA FROM FRANCE IN 2024. -PAVILION - A PORTION OF THE BUILDING HOUSES THE BOX CAR (AS NOTED ABOVE). THE OTHER PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS BEING CONVERTED INTO A MAINTENANCE AREA/WORKSHOP. -PURPLE HEART MEMORIAL - THIS MEMORIAL WILL BE REFURBISHED IN FY25. -WALK PATH OF HISTORY - PROVIDES AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE OUTSIDE ON OUR GROUNDS FOR VISITORS (E.G., STUDENTS, VETERANS, INTERESTED PEOPLE, ETC.) TO LEARN ABOUT THE VARIOUS WARS AND CONFLICTS THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN. WE CONTINUE TO ADD MEMORIALS. THREE MEMORIALS DEDICATED IN FY24 INCLUDE THE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT, THE SULTANA MONUMENT, AND THE KOREAN WAR PATROL MEMORIAL. FUTURE MEMORIALS INCLUDE REVOLUTIONARY WAR, MOTHER GEORGE, WORLD WAR I, WORLD WAR II, DESERT STORM/DESERT SHIELD/OEF/OIF/GWOT, GOLD STAR FAMILIES, WOMEN IN THE MILITARY AND WAR DOGS. WE ARE ACTIVELY FUND RAISING FOR THESE MEMORIALS. -EDUCATION - CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY RECRUIT GROUPS (E.G., STUDENTS, VETERANS, SENIORS, SCOUTS, BIKE/CAR GROUPS, ETC.) TO TOUR THE MUSEUM AND GROUNDS. -CONVERT THE CURRENT "TORPEDO ROOM" INTO A LIBRARY/RESEARCH SPACE. WE HAVE A LARGE VOLUME OF BOOKS AND OTHER PAPER DOCUMENTS THAT RESEARCHERS WOULD FIND INTERESTING. -WORK THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF THE COLUMBARIUM PROJECT SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE OPTION TO PURCHASE A NICHE FOR THEIR CREMAINS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTE REVIEWS A COPY OF FORM 990 PRIOR TO FILING. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C WHENEVER A BOARD MEMBER HAS A FINANCIAL OR PERSONAL INTEREST IN ANY MATTER COMING BEFORE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE AFFECTED PERSON SHALL A) FULLY DISCLOSE THE NATURE OF THE INTEREST AND B) WITHDRAW FROM DISCUSSION, LOBBYING, AND VOTING ON THE MATTER. ANY TRANSACTION OR VOTE INVOLVING A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST SHALL BE APPROVED ONLY WHEN A MAJORITY OF DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS DETERMINE THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE ORGANIZATION TO DO SO. THE MINUTES OF MEETINGS AT WHICH SUCH VOTES ARE TAKEN SHALL RECORD SUCH DISCLOSURE, ABSTENTION AND RATIONALE FOR APPROVAL. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 18 THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIOR YEAR FORM 990S ARE AVAIALBLE AT GUIDESTAR.ORG AND IRS.GOV. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 GOVERNING DOCUMENTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.