Dear Indy,
Today, on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, seemed like an important time to resurface an article we created for Indy veterans.
As it turns out, many veterans don’t realize their eligibility for health benefits — or know how to navigate the sometimes complicated systems to acquire them.
That’s why health reporter Mary Claire Molloy created a helpful guide to walk through the processes.
She also interviewed Gordon Smith, a U.S. Army veteran who is working as a veteran service officer in Marion County.
He works to make sure veterans get the help they need, especially if their health claims were denied.
“You can get denied for whatever reason, maybe they didn’t have a diagnosis at the time or adequate documentation,” Smith said. “That doesn’t mean you can never get it. We just have to work a little harder.”
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In other news
- For the 30 high schoolers who attended a summer program at UIndy, one thing was clear: The reason they wanted to one day become educators? It’s because of the teachers in their own lives. For incoming junior Kai Davids, it was his middle school band teachers who even paid for repairs to equipment when he couldn’t afford it. “They cared about our outside lives, too, not just school, and they taught me a lot,” Davids said.
- From classical ballet to contemporary, Indy’s dance scene is thriving. Meet 10 of them in a new Mirror Indy guide, which also contains their Instagrams and where you can see them next.
- We’re slowly but surely learning more about what’s been uncovered by developers at the former Greenlawn Cemetery site: human remains, headstone fragments and Native American stone artifacts related to toolmaking. That’s according to public records obtained by Mirror Indy and information provided by the developer’s archaeological consultant. Read more here.
What’s going on around the city
- Tomorrow, June 7: Creative Energy Arts is offering a workshop for young gardeners to make garden decorations at Broad Ripple Park, 1426 Broad Ripple Ave. From 6-7 p.m., kids will be led through the creation of mobiles and chimes that can hang in a home garden. $11.
- Saturday, June 8: From 6-10 p.m., a Community Kickback will be held at 3045 N. Pennsylvania St. The event includes a bounce house and a playground for children, open mics and karaoke, a wide selection of food, art tables and more. The event is free, but a donation of canned goods is encouraged.
- Sunday, June 9: Celebrate Pride with Kan-Kan Cinema, 1258 Windsor St., with a free screening of “Serving With Pride.” Presented by WFYI, the hour-long feature follows LGBTQ+ veterans and the long-term impacts of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Click here to reserve a seat.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- IndyStar: Ahead of the U.S. Olympic swim trials, check out how Lucas Oil Stadium’s field became a massive swimming pool.
- WISH: No, an IMPD commander is not connected to former President Donald Trump’s legal case in New York in any way.
- WFYI: Here are some tips to become more energy efficient with your heating and cooling.
Notes from our Documenters
If the name Hunter Vale doesn’t sound familiar, perhaps the name of his Instagram account does — @queercirclecity. The account publishes photos and newspaper clippings that celebrate the history of LGBTQIA life in Indianapolis.
To prepare for this weekend’s Pride parade and festival, we invited Vale to share some essential knowledge about our city’s LGBTQIA history with us. What we learned is that some of these places were not only for dancing and experiencing joy and freedom, but also places to organize and survive.
— Jennifer Delgadillo, arts and culture editor
Want to explore more of our city’s vibrancy? Find more arts and culture coverage here.
Reflections
Listen, it’s been hot outside. After the swim trials are over, they should keep the pool open for the biggest dog pool party.
Ryan
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at ryan.martin@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
