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INDIANAPOLIS — This weekend is race weekend. It’s also Memorial Day weekend.

Friday afternoon, Hoosiers, politicians, members of the Armed Services, and Gold Star families gathered in downtown Indy for the annual 500 Festival Memorial Service. 

One of the speakers was Hershel “Woody” Williams, a Medal of Honor Recipient. 

“We have done wonderful things to recognize those who serve,” Williams said. “There are veteran memorials in almost every community you can think of.” 

“But there are some communities that don’t,” he added. “No one in that community knows about the sacrifices that were made. Somehow we must correct that, so that our youth, as they grow into adulthood, have some idea how they got where they are — others made all of that possible because of sacrifice.”

Williams is the last surviving Marine from World War II to wear the Medal of Honor. 

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb also spoke at the event. 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of troops from Indiana returning home from World War I. Nearly 135-thousand Hoosiers fought in WWI. More than three-thousand died. 

(Photo courtesy of 500 Festival)