POW/MIA Chair of Honor to remain in Screaming Eagles Arena

USI joined a long list of major sporting venues, state capital buildings and town halls when the University dedicated a POW/MIA Chair of Honor in January. The chair will remain in Screaming Eagles Arena as a permanent memorial.

"The POW/MIA Chair of Honor stands as a reminder that there are still service members who have yet to return home and cannot attend events or enjoy the freedoms that we may take for granted," said Joel Matherly, assistant director of USI's Veteran, Military and Family Resource Center.

Matherly was approached by members of Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter 6 about a Chair of Honor when plans for the new Arena were unveiled. He and Rolling Thunder members researched and visited similar memorials at the Ford Center, Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana State House. Matherly then hand-sketched a design and began coordinating efforts to construct the memorial that is now on display between sections 103 and 104.

Hussey Seating Company donated the chair used and USI students in the Applied Engineering Center (AEC) created a sign replicating the POW/MIA flag to accompany it. C & L Sheet Metal in Evansville built and painted the rest of the stand, wired it for electric and donated it to USI. "There is not another chair like this in our country," said Jerry Blake, president of Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter 6. "I can tell you this is by far the best and most beautiful POW/MIA Chair of Honor I've ever seen."

The POW/MIA Chair of Honor is a testament to the University's support of all veterans and represents those who have made sacrifices for our nation through their service. "I want to make sure we understand the significance of this chair … that it really does mean something to us … because these people mean something. They have names. They have families. They have history. They have context. They have relevance," President Rochon said at the dedication ceremony.