Memorial Day weekend reminds Hoosiers of what we share

Indianapolis Star

22-05-2025

Being raised by a single mother in Central Indiana, one could easily imagine that the Indianapolis 500 might not make the priority list for my two brothers and me. You would be wrong.
You see, Elaine Jensen has always been passionate about the 500. If my uncle, my dad's only sibling, could not take us boys, she would find another way for us to attend. She knew what it meant to our dad, and his dad, and she refused to let the tradition fade. I'd sit with my two brothers in our seats along the front straight, the same spot I will sit this weekend with one of my sons. In those moments, I wasn't just watching a race — I was part of something bigger than myself, something that bound generations of my family together through shared tradition.
The night before the race, we will all gather at my mom's house in Noblesville, my childhood home, for our annual Redbay Court race party, a tradition that has lasted well over 40 years. I haven't called that particular neighborhood home for nearly 20 years, but it still feels like home to me. Even neighbors who moved away 30 years ago return for this marquee event.
Now, as a father myself, I've had the privilege of creating new traditions with my own children. When I see the wonder in my children's eyes as they experience the pageantry and raw power of race day, I'm reminded that traditions don't just connect us to our past — they build bridges to our future.
In my hometown of Noblesville, and throughout Central Indiana, May seems to represent a season of celebration and reflection. For thousands of families, including those of our Noblesville Millers graduates, it's a time of transition and hope. Like those drivers lining up at the yard of bricks, our graduates stand poised at their own starting line, ready to race toward futures bright with possibility.
Yet, all these celebrations unfold against the solemn backdrop of Memorial Day's true purpose. When 300,000 people gather at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, there's a moment during the playing of Taps when the entire crowd falls silent. In that powerful pause, we're reminded of what the long weekend is truly about — the ultimate sacrifice made by countless Americans who gave "their last full measure of devotion" so that we might enjoy these freedoms.
As we navigate these turbulent times, perhaps what we need most are these occasions that remind us of what we share rather than what divides us. In the stands at IMS, no one asks about your politics. The checkered flag waves for everyone, regardless of which driver you're cheering for.
This Memorial Day weekend, I encourage you to embrace all that central Indiana has to offer. Cheer on the Pacers, visit the Speedway, celebrate a graduate or simply gather with loved ones. But in the midst of celebration, take a moment to remember those who sacrificed everything to make these moments possible. In doing so, we honor not just their memory, but the ideal of a nation where unity remains possible even in divided times.