Memorial for fallen heroes in Westfield

WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) - Indiana's fallen heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan are now "permanently" memorialized in Westfield.

In 2005, 24-Hour News 8 was first to report on a beautiful, but temporary garden of crosses in their honor. Years later a deceased Vietnam Veteran’s small dream has been carried out in a big way by his stepson.

It's called the Fallen Hoosier Heroes Memorial. It's not quite finished, but its first formal ceremony was held March 25. There weren't many dry eyes and that wasn't because of the downpour.

In 2002, Vietnam Veteran Command Sergeant Major Donald Peed began making crosses in his Westfield home for the men and women losing their lives in the war on terror.

"He just didn't get treated all that well when he came back from Vietnam and he just didn't want that to happen to the younger people," said VFW Commander Post Dennis Zavada.

Peed quietly planted the crosses until 2005 when his family says he died of a heart attack.

"He didn't get a chance to finish it or let anybody know that, what he wanted to do with it," said David Davis, Peed’s stepson.

But, Davis knew his stepdad would want the Memorial Garden to continue. As Davis and his stepmother Carol kept up the sad tradition of making the crosses, Davis also began fundraising for a permanent monument. The Westfield VFW Post and Concrete Finishing Company are providing materials and labor.

"It's a small part that I can give back to the people that have sacrificed so much," said Chris Banks of Concrete Finishing Company.

"I know Don is just looking down on all of it, and just thinking how proud he is of everybody and what its come too," said Carol Peed, Don Peed's widow.

Davis said there is still much to be done at the memorial. New, larger crosses are being constructed. Each will be set by an Indiana limestone marker. The markers will have gold plates engraved with information about the fallen heroes.

A formal dedication of the monument is planned for Flag Day, June 14.