# Talk:Indiana World War Memorial Plaza

I am confused by this sentence:

The Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial (1996) consist of two semi-circular limestone and granite monuments divided proportionally to represent the number of casualties from each conflict. Both monuments are engraved with the names of Hoosiers killed in the Korean War and Vietnam War along with excerpts from letters home.

The source uses the title "Korean War Memorial" and refers to "one large cylinder that is divided proportionally to represent the number of casualties from each war". But the article text says "two semi-circular limestone and granite monuments". Can someone please clarify? ---Another Believer (Talk) 12:05, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Related: The sentence "Both memorials were designed by architect Patrick Brunner" may also need some clarification. Based on the inline citations, I assume "both" means the Korean War Memorial and the World War II Memorial, but does this also include the Vietnam War Memorial? ---Another Believer (Talk) 15:47, 13 June 2025 (UTC)
Yes, that source is confusing. It's two half-cylinders that are slightly different sizes, not one cylinder that was literally divided, but that was the design inspiration. They presented it in a confusing way with the title being for Korean but describing both parts. "Both" refers to the Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial (considered a single piece here since they were designed and dedicated together in 1996) and the World War II Memorial (dedicated two years later). Though I can't find if that's the official name so it may be better to change it to "all three". — Reywas92Talk 16:07, 13 June 2025 (UTC)


### Memorial(s) for Korean War and Vietnam War
Some sources say Korean War Memorial but describe both.
https://indyarts.org/public-art/korean-war-memorial/
Some sources say Vietnam War Memorial but describe both.
https://indyarts.org/public-art/vietnam-war-memorial/
Some sources combine the two memorials with one name.
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=132839
Some sources clearly differentiate the two:
https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/explore/korean-war-memorial/
"The Korean War Memorial is one of two cylindrical limestone and granite sculptures designed by Indianapolis architect Patrick Brunner".
https://www.visitindiana.com/listing/korean-war-memorial/14261/
"The Korean War Memorial is one of two cylindrical limestone and granite sculptures designed by Indianapolis architect Patrick Brunner."
http://www.warmemorialsofindiana.org/the-vietnam-war-memorial-and-the-korean-war-memorial-indianapolis/
https://koreanwarmemorials.com/memorial/indianapolis-in-united-states/
https://indyencyclopedia.org/korean-war/
"In 1996, Governor Evan Bayh dedicated the Indiana Korean War Memorial at the Indiana War Memorial Plaza. The Indiana memorial for the Vietnam War was dedicated at the same time."
https://www.indianawarmemorials.org/explore/vietnam-war-memorial/
https://www.visitindiana.com/listing/vietnam-war-memorial/14301/
I think maybe a solution would be to generally note that Korean War and Vietnam War memorials were installed in 1996, without using a singular title or suggesting these are one memorial. Then, we can go into detail about the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial as separate structures. Maybe this would be less confusing, even though sources are kind of ambiguous about whether this is one or two memorials. I welcome feedback and suggestions by others, especially if better journalistic sources than the ones I've shared above (the first google search returns) can be brought into the mix. Thanks! ---Another Believer (Talk) 16:45, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

The Indiana War Memorials Commission, which is an entity of the Indiana state government, refers to "the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam memorials" (see https://www.in.gov/iwm/american-legion-mall/), so I think it's best to refer to them either as separate memorials or, due to their having been designed, constructed, and dedicated at the same time with an obvious artistic connection, as the "Indiana Korean and Vietnam War Memorials" (plural). The latter would make sense for a standalone article, with redirect links for the individual memorials. Indyguy (talk) 17:08, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

I appreciate this article, but there are so many subjects covered briefly: plazas, parks, multiple buildings, multiple memorials, fountains, sculptures, etc.

There are two sentences about the Vietnam and Korean Wars Memorial.
There are two sentences about the World War II Memorial.
There is one sentence about the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument.
I would think there's plenty more to say about these topics -- detailed descriptions, development and funding, construction, artistic and public reception, etc. Are any of these memorials independently notable? Should there be a standalone entry for the Indiana World War Memorial?  University Park? Veterans Memorial Plaza? The obelisk? I am less familiar with the history of the site and what sourcing allows, it just feels like this one article is saying a little about so many things. ---Another Believer (Talk) 12:22, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

This article's still not that long, so continued expansion here would be welcome. The main War Memorial building likely has enough history to warrant a split at some point, but presenting everything in context here is best. — Reywas92Talk 16:20, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Is Waymarking considered a reliable source?
Is Fun City Finder considered a reliable source?
---Another Believer (Talk) 12:38, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Not sure if/when standalone articles may be possible, but for now I've created some redirects to this page:

American Legion Mall
Cenotaph (Indianapolis)
Cenotaph Square (Indianapolis)
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (Indianapolis)
Korean War Memorial (Indianapolis)
University Park (Indianapolis)
Veterans Memorial Plaza (Indianapolis)
Vietnam War Memorial (Indianapolis)
World War II Memorial (Indianapolis)
These join redirects created by other editors, some of which include:

Colonel Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
Indiana World War Memorial
Indiana World War Memorial Building
Indiana World War Memorial Historic District
--Another Believer (Talk) 13:27, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Reminder to add alt text:

Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Accessibility/Alternative text for images
---Another Believer (Talk) 14:48, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/whats-that-structure-on-the-steps-of-the-indiana-war-memorial#google_vignette
work on the War Memorial building
American Legion headquarters roof replacement
--Another Believer (Talk) 14:52, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

https://wibc.com/506877/war-memorial-in-downtown-indy-being-repaired/
--Another Believer (Talk) 14:56, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

The article only says when and where the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was installed. Reminder to expand with a description, per source already used as citation:
"...black granite memorial features two sides. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and those they left behind. The other side tells a story through the four black granite panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot and Sacrifice. The scenes on each panel reflect Indiana images, military service and show respect to fallen heroes. At the center of this tribute is a silhouette cut-out of the missing loved one" --Another Believer (Talk) 16:09, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Should we add these categories?

Category:Korean War monuments and memorials in the United States
Category:Vietnam War monuments and memorials in the United States
Category:World War II memorials in the United States
---Another Believer (Talk) 17:04, 13 June 2025 (UTC)

Instead, the appropriate category could be added to the redirect for each. That way they would show up on the category pages in italics, indicating they are redirects. Also, the redirect names in this article probably should be in boldface. Indyguy (talk) 17:22, 13 June 2025 (UTC)