Passing the Torch

Almost 3 years ago, my boss approached me and said "hey, do you want to be on the Bicentennial Committee?" I said ok, and the commitment began.

Bicentennial Committee...
Indiana became a state in December 1816.  Centennial was in 1916, Clay County, along with a few others, did not participate in the state celebration.  2016.  Bicentennial.  The state decided to do a 92 counties in 37 day Torch Relay.  We needed to participate. Clay County bowed out of participating in 1916.

 So the planning began. Monthly Meetings.  Paperwork from the state.  Nominations for Torch Bearers.   A celebration.

Long story short.

We made it.  We worked our butts off, without a lot of cooperation from some in the area.  We made it.  We had 19 out of 20 Torchbearers, we had a celebration at the Courthouse... but most of all we had an experience we'll never forget.

The Torchbearers
1st Row - Hayden Slater, Jacob Baskins, Hank Slater, Hannah Slater, Jackie Pilkin representing Spc. Arronn Fields, Darrin Sinders
2nd Row - Matt Huber representing the Brazil Concert Band, Ersel "Buz" Burgess, Zach Stultz representing Cpl. Gregory Stultz, Cory Lookebill representing Great Dane Trailers, Wilmadean Schepper, Roberta Welivier
3rd Row - Teddy Hall representing Charles B. Hall, Ron Moon, Col. Kip Clark, Luke Peduto represening Ivan Fuqua, Justin Lewicki representing Clay City Pottery, Billie McCullough, Joe Holechko

Matt Huber

Matt passing the flame to Kip Clark

Wilmadean Schepper

Kip Clark

Kip Clark


Fly over during celebration courtesy of Jordan Brown

Teddy Hall meeting Harold Plunkett for the first time.  Harold told him stories about Teddy's father, Charles B. Hall, who at one point during WWII managed to save Harold's life.  Charles B. Hall was a Tuskeegee Airman.

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