Kosciusko REMC - April 2025 Indiana Connection

Meet Tim Landrigan, our new CEO

Kosciusko REMC’s

America’s PAGES 20-25 STORYTELLER War correspondent Ernie Pyle’s legacy lives on 80 years after his death

APRIL 2025

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from the editor

In the footsteps of history The average Hoosier may not have heard of the person showcased in this month’s feature story. Ernie Pyle, whose popularity peaked during the late 30s and early 40s, is not regularly covered in high school history. But during my time at Indiana University’s journalism school, I became familiar with Pyle’s career.

While I was at IU, I was fortunate to be admitted into the “Footsteps of Ernie Pyle” class. Led by Professor Owen Johnson — a Pyle historian and super fan — we studied Pyle’s life and writings all semester and then traveled to London, Normandy, and Paris during spring break. I had never been out of the country before that trip, and it was astounding to experience different cultures and soak up the history of England and France.

The moment that stuck with me most was visiting Ohama Beach in Normandy, the site of the D-Day invasion. As our class stood on the cliffs overlooking the English Channel, our tour guide explained the struggle

VOLUME 74 • NUMBER 10 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340 Published monthly by Indiana Electric Cooperatives Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 311,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. The average printed and mailed cost per issue is 54 cents.

CONTACT US: 11805 Pennsylvania Street Carmel, IN 46032 317-487-2220 info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS: Steve McMichael President

of the U.S. troops. As they exited the boats and moved through the cold

Dr. Richard Leeper Vice President

water, dodging underwater obstacles on the way to the beach, they faced

Jamey Marcum Secretary/Treasurer

enemy soldiers shooting at them from the top of the cliffs. If they were lucky enough to survive the shooting and the land mines buried in the sand, they had to scale the cliffs, knowing that more soldiers were waiting for them at the top. I thought about how terrifying it must have been for these men, many of whom were younger than I was at the time, and how their bravery turned the tide of the war. success but also horrified by the loss of life. Pyle’s writings are the true spirit of journalism. His job was to report to his readers what he saw across the ocean, but his personal touch and keen insight made his columns impactful. For a class of aspiring journalists, Pyle’s columns were full of lessons we needed to learn.

Editor bdavis@indianaec.org

On the menu: July: Have an award-winning recipe?

Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist Lauren Carman Communication Manager Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator Amber Knight Creative Manager Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication

Pyle wrote three columns about D-Day. He was in awe of the campaign’s

Britt Davis

John Cassady CEO EDITORIAL STAFF: Britt Davis Editor

you.

Submit your favorite blue-ribbon recipe, deadline May 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Giveaway: Enter to win two adult admission tickets to the Indiana State Museum Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is April 30.

Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, letters and entries

ADVERTISING: American MainStreet Publications Cheryl Solomon, local ad representative; 512-441-5200; amp.coop Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL: Indiana Connection does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited material.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: $12 for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

POSTAGE: Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send change of address to: Indiana Connection, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032.

APRIL 2025

3

contents

APRIL

12

18

county

03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric cooperative 10 ENERGY Sealing leaks minimizes wasted energy and utility costs

food

12 COUNTY Fayette County 14 TRAVEL Take a tour of Indy’s eclectic White River State Park 16 SAFETY Be mindful when driving through work zones

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Indiana Connection 4 APRIL 2025

20

30

cover story

backyard

18 FOOD These single-serve desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth

28 HOOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS

20 COVER STORY War correspondent Ernie Pyle’s legacy lives on 80 years after his death

29 IN EATS Aladdin’s Mediterranean & Middle Eastern Cuisine is a family affair (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)

26 PET CONTEST Congratulations to Cheddar Bay Biscuit, the winner of our pet photo contest

30 BACKYARD Native wildflowers add a pop of color to any garden (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)

On the cover A sculpture of Ernie Pyle at work was added to the front of Franklin Hall on the campus of Indiana University in the fall of 2014. Learn more about the legacy of this prolific Hoosier in this month’s cover feature. (Photo courtesy of Wolterk, Getty Images)

co-op news

www.kremc.com CONTACT US Local: 574-267-6331 Toll-Free: 800-790-REMC EMAIL mail@kremc.com

HONORING OUR LINEWORKERS AND WELCOMING NEW LEADERSHIP

OFFICE HOURS 7:30 a.m.– 4 p.m., Monday– Friday

As April unfolds, we are reminded

and most recently as CFO. Receiving

ADDRESS 370 S. 250 E., Warsaw, IN 46582

of the hard work and dedication of

this promotion to president and CEO

the individuals who keep our lights

is an honor, and I look forward to

on — our lineworkers. At Kosciusko

continuing to lead the company based

REMC, we sincerely appreciate their

on our core cooperative values —

commitment to safety, service, and

putting our members and community

reliability. That’s why, on April 18,

first. You can learn more about my

we are proud to recognize National

journey on page 6-7.

Lineworker Appreciation Day. Rain

April is a month of new beginnings as

SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS To report a service interruption after hours, please call 574-267-6331 or 800-790-REMC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tony Fleming, Chairman Dan Tucker, Vice Chairman John Hand, Secretary/Treasurer Tyler Bouse Pam Messmore Steve Miner Rick Parker Loretta Schafer Todd Smith

or shine, day or night, these skilled professionals work tirelessly to ensure that our members have access to safe and reliable power. We encourage you to take a moment this month to thank

LAUNDRY SAVINGS

a lineworker for their dedication to our community.

we step into spring and a new chapter for KREMC. Through these changes, we stop to appreciate our lineworkers.

The next time you flip on a switch, please take a moment to remember those who made it possible.

Turn your suds into savings. Lower

This month also marks my first month

your energy use in the laundry

as president and CEO of Kosciusko

room by washing clothes with

REMC. I joined KREMC in December

TIM LANDRIGAN

cold water whenever possible, as

2010 and have served as a customer

President & CEO

heating water accounts for most

service representative/billing,

of the energy used in a laundry

manager of finance and accounting,

cycle. Wash full loads to make the most of energy savings, and use high-efficiency detergent designed for cold washes. For drying cycles, clean the lint filter before each load to improve airflow and use dryer balls to reduce drying time.

- Energy.gov

FOLLOW KOSCIUSKO REMC ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM AND X

KREMC rates and rebates RATES

REBATES

Residential and farm service Service charge ............................$29.50 per month Kilowatt-hour (kWh) charge ......@$.0922 per kWh Tracker charge ...................... @$.006779 per kWh

Electric water heaters 50 gallons or larger: • Gas to electric replacement — $125 • New construction water heater — $125 • Geothermal desuperheater — $50

Outdoor lights* 40w LED........................................$8.75 per month 70w LED......................................$12.25 per month

HVAC: • Geothermal system installation — $250 • Air-source heat pump system — $150 • Programmable thermostat — up to $25 Visit kremc.com for complete guidelines and restrictions. Additional rebates can be found at powermoves.com.

APRIL 2025

5

co-op news

MEET OUR NEW CEO, TIM LANDRIGAN Kosciusko REMC proudly welcomes

billing clerk/CSR position for interview

the CEO role. Landrigan’s aspirations

Tim Landrigan as our new president

practice. However, after his second

grew as he worked for the company

and CEO. A dedicated leader with

interview, he accepted the position

and gained more experience. “Over

deep roots in the cooperative,

and continued his education at night

the years, my aspirations evolved as

Landrigan brings a wealth of

school. "The accounting staff at the

I took on more responsibilities and

experience and a strong commitment

time did a great job mentoring me and

leadership roles, ultimately leading

to serving our members.

teaching cooperative accounting," he

to my current position as CEO,”

recalled.

he explained. His journey through

From starting as a billing clerk/CSR,

the company in these various roles

FROM BILLING CLERK TO CEO Landrigan’s journey with KREMC began when he was pursuing an accounting degree. Encouraged by a family member, he applied for a

he progressed through roles as an accountant, manager of accounting and finance, and eventually chief financial officer before stepping into

ultimately prepared him for this current position. “Each role provided valuable experiences and opportunities for growth,” he said.

Kosciusko Connect celebrates the completion of building fiber internet out to KREMC’s service territory.

6 APRIL 2025

co-op news THE UNIQUE COOPERATIVE EXPERIENCE

I want to pass that on to the next

his family and being outdoors. "My

generation."

wife and I have three children, and we

One of the most rewarding aspects

As he assumes the CEO role,

live on Kosciusko REMC lines, so I

of working at KREMC, according to Landrigan, is the direct connection to the members. "Working in a cooperative like KREMC offers a unique and rewarding experience,” he said. “One of the most fulfilling aspects is the direct connection to the members who own the cooperative.

Knowing that the electricity we provide

Landrigan’s vision for the cooperative is clear: "My goal is to continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable power to our members. I also want to

understand firsthand the importance of the services we provide," he said.

"It’s a great privilege to lead this organization and continue its tradition

provide quality broadband services

of service to the community."

to our members and investigate

As we welcome Landrigan into

opportunities outside our electric

his new leadership role, we look

footprint to serve broadband.”

forward to his vision, experience,

directly benefits our community

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY

members establishes a strong sense

Beyond his professional life,

of purpose and responsibility.”

Landrigan enjoys spending time with

and dedication to guiding Kosciusko REMC into a bright and promising future.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Among his proudest accomplishments is being part of the team that brought Kosciusko Connect broadband to KREMC members, a significant step in expanding services and enhancing connectivity in the community.

“Leading KREMC to continue to have a strong financial position and work with others on economic growth for Kosciusko Connect has been very rewarding,” he explained.

VISION FOR THE FUTURE His leadership principles — mutual respect, integrity, honesty, communication, accountability, and mentorship — have shaped his approach to guiding teams and fostering professional growth among employees.

"I believe in setting clear expectations and holding myself and others accountable," he shared. "Mentorship is also very important to me, as I had great mentors when I started, and

The Landrigan family

APRIL 2025

7

co-op news

Spring co-op connections Looking to start a home project this spring? Contact one of our local Co-op Connection Businesses for assistance, and use your Co-op Connection Card to receive some great discounts.

Rabb/Kinetico Water Systems

Fahl Homes

Rabb offers water treatment solutions, including water softeners, drinking water systems, and wholehouse filters.

Fahl Homes specializes in custom-built modular homes and manufactured homes in northern and central Indiana.

Discount: 10% off in-store salt, filters, and pre-filled 5-gallon water.

Discount: $1,000 off retail price with home purchase, applicable on first visit only.

Exclusions: Not to be combined with any other offer. Excludes salt and water club cards

Dave’s Electric, Heating & Cooling, Inc. Dave’s Electric, Heating & Cooling has been in business since 1995, assisting with all your electrical, heating, and cooling needs.

Discount: $10 off any service call.

Spring into security.

Protect what matters with Arlo.

As spring arrives, make sure your home security is blooming too. Protect your home with Arlo.

Scan the code with your mobile device or visit kosciuskoconnect.com to learn more.

8 MARCH 2025

It seems horses excel at people skills.

From celebrated horses and equine farms, to spectacular museums and outdoor adventures, you’ll be awed by all the experiences you can share in our new Kentucky home.

Plan your sensational getaway today.

KentuckyTourism.com

L AN E’ S EN D FAR M , VE R SAI L LES

energy T H E PAT H T O E N E RGY E F F IC I E NC Y

Sealing When it comes to making a home more energy efficient, many people know that adding the correct amount of insulation in attics and over crawl spaces and basements can make a huge difference.

However, sealing leaks is crucial to minimizing energy use.

Air can leak through outer walls, windows, doors, and other openings. A well-sealed home and the proper insulation can save you significant money on utility bills.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs alone by air-sealing their homes and adding insulation.

If you added up all the leaks, holes, and gaps in a typical home, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year.

Here are some ways to prevent that by sealing your home:

Sealing leaks minimizes wasted energy and utility costs

Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows that leak air. While you’re at it, caulk and seal leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring comes through walls, floors, and ceilings.

Install foam gaskets behind electrical outlets and switch plates on the walls.

use shrink-to-fit plastic wrap over existing windows.

Replace exterior door bottoms and thresholds with ones that have pliable sealing gaskets.

Seal leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas water heater vents with sheet metal or sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.

Conduct a proper inspection around your home. Look for dirty spots in any visual insulation, ceilings, and carpets to check for leaks and mold. These spots could indicate a leak at interior wall or ceiling joints and wall or floor joists. Low-expansion spray foam and caulking can solve most of these issues.

Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use. Flues can also warp and break, creating a path for air loss. If that’s the case, you could seal the flue when not in use with an inflatable chimney balloon.

Replace single-pane windows with more efficient double-pane, low-emissivity windows or use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows or baseboards where air may leak. Another option is to

These changes can make a difference, no matter the time of year or the weather outside.

Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked, saving energy and preventing a fire.

Contact your co-op for more information on making your home more efficient.

by Jessica

Kaufer Member and Energy Solutions Specialist Clark County REMC

10 APRIL 2025

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county feature

Fayette County In the early 1800s, Fayette County became a place for settlers after land was purchased from Native Americans through treaties like the 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne.

This cleared the way for new communities to grow and develop in southeastern Indiana, which was once part of the larger Northwest Territory.

SUDOKU’S PUZZLING ORIGIN STORY Howard Garns, an American architect from Connersville, Indiana, created Number Place — the logic puzzle later known as Sudoku. Garns designed it while working at Daggett architecture firm in Indianapolis. In May 1979, Dell Pencil Puzzles and Word Games published Number Place without crediting him. Will Shortz, a crossword compiler for The New York Times, later identified Garns as its creator by noting his name in the magazine’s contributor list whenever Number Place appeared. The puzzle gained popularity in Japan in the 1980s, where it was renamed Su Doku. Garns died of cancer in 1989 before Sudoku became a global phenomenon when The Times of London printed it in 2004.

Photo courtesy of Kameron Perensovich

FEATHERED FRIENDS IN CONNERSVILLE The Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary, managed by the Indiana Audubon Society, is a notable birding destination in southeastern Indiana. The sanctuary is named after Mary, the daughter of Finley and Alice Gray. When Mary died of a typhus-related brain infection in 1940, her parents donated 264 acres of their land to the Indiana Audubon Society in her memory. More than 110 bird species have been spotted across the sanctuary’s 700 acres in Connersville. Visitors can hike the sanctuary’s forests and wetlands while observing bird conservation first-hand with Saw-whet owl banding in the fall and hummingbird banding in the summer.

12 APRIL 2025

COUNTY FACTS FOUNDED: 1819

NAMED FOR: Marquis de la Fayette, a French military officer in the American Revolutionary War

POPULATION: 23,398 Public domain

COUNTY SEAT: Connersville

Photo courtesy of Whitewater Valley Railroad

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 21

ALL ABOARD INDIANA’S SCENIC RAILWAY The Whitewater Valley Railroad is a nonprofit museum with a preserved 1950s-era branch line railroad. Known as “Indiana’s Best Scenic Railway,” the railroad traces its roots back to the mid-1800s when it was a vital transportation route connecting towns and industries in southeastern Indiana.

Now, the train operates April through December, departing from Connersville’s Grand Central Station and journeying to Metamora, a historic canal town offering a glimpse into 19th-century life. Visitors can explore nearly 40 unique shops and restaurants, stroll along the canal, or discover the only operational wooden aqueduct in the United States.

Nicole Thomas is a freelance writer from Indianapolis.

Connersville

HELP US IMPROVE THE MAGAZINE The staff of Indiana Connection is continually working to make the magazine the best it can be. Every three years, Indiana Connection works with an independent research firm to survey our readers on various aspects of their lives and interests and their relationship to the magazine.

This year, the survey will be sent in print and digital forms to randomly selected readers. If you receive this survey, please take a few minutes to fill it out and send it back. The research firm will receive your answers, so the responses are anonymous.

Thank you for helping to guide the direction of Indiana Connection!

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profile travel

Indy’s backyard Retreat from the hustle or revel in wonder in this unique pocket of downtown Indianapolis

Photos courtesy of White River State Park

Downtown Indianapolis’s easy-to-

State Museum, and inside, go from the

traverse grid system harbors a generous

Ice Age to the unknown, celebrating

reward for those venturing toward its

Indiana through the ages. The Eiteljorg

west end: White River State Park. The

Museum boasts the Midwest’s best

urban escape is home to miles of trails,

Native American and Western art

pockets of wonder, and world-class

collections. The museum tells the story

attractions, making it a must-visit for your

of Indiana’s indigenous peoples through

2025 calendar.

art, artifacts, and historic photos. At

Natural wonders

the NCAA Hall of Champions, get in the game with hands-on displays and

Whether you’re escaping from your cubicle or destined to explore downtown, White River State Park provides a

sports simulators that help you feel a part of the action. You could also relive your glory days with one last free throw

breath of fresh air. Stroll the Canal Walk, making an already easy 3-mile loop even more fun. Pause to peruse the season’s flora, cruise the Canal on a gondola, or rent a bike to cover more ground. Don’t miss the Old Washington Street Bridge, formerly part of the Historic National Road, now a pedestrian bridge connecting the Indianapolis Zoo and White River Gardens to the park, featuring stunning artwork to admire and interact with along the way.

at the museum’s retro gym.

White River State Park is open

Rock on

daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Find

There’s no replacement for live music,

events, attractions, and a park

and there’s nothing better than hearing

map at whiteriverstatepark.org.

your favorite band at The Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. The completely reimagined and updated venue reopened in 2021, featuring a permanent facility with lawn and reserved seats, state-of-theart amenities, and a welcoming guest

Awaken history

experience. See your favorite artists

If you want to learn about Indiana,

on the venue’s summer concert lineup

you’re in the right place. Take the free

or go all-in with a season ticket for a

92 County Walk outside of the Indiana

summer you will never forget.

14 APRIL 2025

The Everwise Amphitheater

Natalie Derrickson is a writer based in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis Zoo

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safety

BE MINDFUL WHEN DRIVING THROUGH WORK ZONES According to the Indiana

When motorists

Department of Transportation, 269

see the orange

people have been killed in work

diamond-

zones accidents over the past

shaped work

decade. Victims include motorists

zone warning

and workers. In 2023, according to

signs and

work zone crash data, 33 people

vehicles with

were killed, and more than 1,750

flashing lights,

were injured in INDOT work zones.

they should slow down and

should always be courteous to those

National Work Zone Awareness

prepare for the zone ahead.

parked on the shoulder. Give them

Week (April 21-25) aims to remind

Indiana law requires motorists to

motorists to be careful around those whose jobs put them along the roadways. Work zones also include utility crews who work along the roadsides to build, repair, and maintain the network of electric power lines. Sometimes, crews can be around the next corner or just over the hill — day or night.

“All motorists need to keep in mind that our crews can be working at any hour, so they need to be careful when they see signs and flaggers,” said Jon Elkins, vice president of safety, training, and

approach cautiously and change

and help prevent tragedies.

lanes away from emergency

“Our workers already face dangers

vehicles if they can do so safely.

on the jobs,” added Elkins. “We

If not, they should reduce their

ask motorists to please not add to

speed to 10 mph under the posted

that danger by speeding or driving

speed limit and proceed with

recklessly so closely by them.”

caution. Motorists should not stop in the roadway; this could cause a rear-end collision with other vehicles.

Violating the law can result in a fine and a suspended license.

Steeper penalties, including jail time, are enforced for infractions within work zones.

compliance at Indiana Electric

Though move-over laws are only

Cooperatives.

for emergency vehicles, drivers

16 APRIL 2025

room to safely repair their vehicles

Rear-end crashes are the most common type of accident in work zones. Nationally, four out of five people killed in work zones are drivers and passengers. Here’s something else to remember: It takes just one more minute to travel through a two-mile work zone at 45 mph than 65 mph.

Chris Adam is a freelance writer from Lafayette. Source: nwzaw.org, in.gov/ indot/safety/work-zone-safety

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food

Dessert FOR one

These small-scale desserts will satisfy your sweet tooth, no sharing required

M IC ROWAV E BROWNIES Donna Dettmer, Columbus, Indiana 3 Tbsp flour

In a microwave-safe coffee mug,

3 Tbsp brown sugar

combine all of the ingredients.

3 Tbsp cocoa powder

Microwave on high for 60 to 75 seconds, depending on the type of microwave.

3 Tbsp canola oil

When fully cooked, a wooden toothpick

3 Tbsp water

should come out mostly clean. Cool

1 tsp vanilla

slightly before eating. Top with ice cream

Pinch of salt

or cool whip, if desired.

M INI PUM PKIN DUM P CAK E Patricia Piekarski, Harvey, Illinois CAKE

TOPPING

½ cup pumpkin puree

1

⁄3 cup flour

¼ cup milk

1

⁄3 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup granulated sugar

¼ tsp baking powder

½ tsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp butter, room temperature

¼ tsp nutmeg

2 Tbsp chopped nuts (optional)

1 egg Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 5x5 baking dish. Stir together the pumpkin, milk, sugar, and spices, then stir in the egg. Pour the batter into the baking dish. For the topping, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking powder.

Sprinkle it over the pumpkin mixture. Top with the butter and nuts. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

18 APRIL 2025

food

AP P L E C OBB L ER Alicia Unger, North Manchester, Indiana FILLING

1 medium apple — peeled, cored, and diced 2 Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease a 10-ounce ramekin or other equivalently sized baking dish with butter.

To make the filling, combine the diced apple, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Stir until

⁄ 8 tsp or a pinch of

the apple pieces are well coated. Transfer

ground cinnamon

the apple mixture to the prepared dish and

1

½ tsp lemon juice Butter to grease the baking dish COBBLER TOPPING

2 Tbsp all-purpose flour 1½ Tbsp granulated sugar ¼ tsp baking powder 2 Tbsp milk CINNAMON SUGAR TOPPING (optional)

½ tsp granulated sugar

carefully spread the apples evenly.

To make the cobbler topping, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and milk in a separate bowl until smooth. Carefully pour this mixture over the apple mixture and spread it evenly. Mix the cinnamon and sugar and lightly sprinkle evenly over the cobbler topping.

Place the filled dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drippings during baking. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the topping turns a light golden brown.

When baking is complete, remove the dish from the rimmed baking sheet and place

⁄ 8 tsp or a pinch of

it on a cooling rack. Let it set for 5 to 10

ground cinnamon

minutes, then enjoy.

1

APRIL 2025

19

Pyle works on an article in March 1944 while visiting the Anzio Beachhead in Italy.

(Photo courtesy of National Archives, SC 191705)

America’s STORYTELLER

War correspondent Ernie Pyle’s legacy lives on 80 years after his death

BY BRIAN D. SMITH

20 APRIL 2025

E

rnie Pyle was an embedded reporter more than a half-century before anyone ever heard the term, sending regular dispatches from the European, North African, and Pacific battlefronts of World War II. The Dana, Indiana, native witnessed the firebombing of London, wandered Omaha Beach at Normandy on the morning after D-Day, and shared in the revelry of a liberated Paris. He ate, drank, smoked, slept, and dug ditches with the U.S. Army, rode aboard a Navy aircraft carrier, and accompanied Marines on an island landing.

Pyle’s columns mentioned big battles, Allied victories, and even the occasional setback. But what endeared the native Hoosier to his readers — all 13 million of them — was his homespun way of chronicling the lives of everyday soldiers down to their hometowns. As he wrote in 1943, “I love the infantry because they are the underdogs. They are the mudrain-frost-and-wind boys. They have no comforts, and they even learn to live without the necessities. And in the end, they are the guys that wars can’t be won without.”

World War II ended on Sept. 2, 1945, but Ernie Pyle didn’t get to write about it. While riding in a jeep on the Japanese island of Ie Shima, he came under fire from an enemy sniper and was shot to death on April 18, 1945 — just six days after the passing of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and 80 years ago this month.

Memorial tributes were issued from all corners of the nation, starting from the top. Newly sworn-in President Harry S Truman said, “No man in this war has so well told the story of the American fighting man as American fighting men wanted it told.” Other dignitaries joined the chorus, including Generals Omar Bradley and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who would succeed Truman as

Pyle visits Indiana University to receive an honorary degree in November 1944. He is pictured with John Stempel, who led the journalism department from 1938 to 1968.

(Photo courtesy of Indiana University Archives)

president, and widowed First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

American newspapers gave Pyle a hero’s farewell with expansive frontpage coverage and stirring editorials.

The Tampa Times hailed him as the “chief spokesman for the fighting GIs” and asserted that “he will rest well — in a glory that will not be forgotten for decades.”

A DWINDLING COLLECTIVE MEMORY Eight decades later, however, it’s not so much a question of how many

Americans remember Ernie Pyle’s glory, but rather, how many knew about it in the first place. “If you have no memories of World War II, you may not recognize the Pyle name,” wrote a New York Times reporter in 2011, two years after the State of Indiana closed Ernie Pyle’s birthplace. The rationale for withdrawing state funding was that the home — now owned and operated by the nonprofit Friends of Ernie Pyle — had drawn only 1,000 to 1,500 visitors annually. continued on page 22

APRIL 2025

21

continued from page 21 But the reporter’s point is well taken, for the same reason that life insurance companies keep actuarial tables. Of the 16.4 million U.S. veterans of World War II, fewer than 1 percent (about 66,000) were alive in 2024, with a median age of about 98 years old, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As the National WWII Museum website reminds us: “Every day, memories of World War II … disappear.”

Pyle as a student at Indiana University in 1922. (Photo courtesy of Indiana University Archives)

That is unless they’re shared with subsequent generations. Author David Chrisinger did his part with his 2023 book, “The Soldier’s Truth: The Story of Ernie Pyle and World War II,” in which he retraced Pyle’s steps through the old battlefields where the Hoosier war correspondent once plied his craft.

But as Chrisinger sheepishly admitted, he didn’t recognize Ernie Pyle’s name the first time he heard it from a tour guide on Okinawa, where he was researching a story about his grandfather’s military service. Worse yet, he mistakenly associated Pyle with a very different kind of military operation. “Is this the guy that they based Gomer Pyle upon?” asked Chrisinger, recalling the cheerful bumpkin played by Jim Nabors in the popular 1960s sitcom “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” Dumbfounded, the tour guide said, “If you want to understand what your grandfather went through, you’ve got to read Ernie Pyle.”

Pyle poses with his wife, Geraldine Elizabeth “Jerry” Siebolds, in the backyard of their apartment building in Washington, D.C., in 1925.

(Photo courtesy of Indiana University Archives)

22 APRIL 2025

Then again, it’s a safe bet that many of those reading this story would also have drawn a blank if asked to identify Ernie Pyle. Yet the war correspondent was so famous in the 1940s that anyone asking, “Who’s Ernie Pyle?” would have sounded as clueless as a current Hoosier asking, “Who’s Dave Letterman?”

At the pinnacle of his success, his syndicated column appeared in 400 daily and 300 weekly newspapers and was often the best-read item in the paper. The power of his popularity was evident in the dizzying array of career highlights that Pyle experienced in 1944, including a Pulitzer Prize for “distinguished war correspondence”; the publication of “Brave Men” — the third of his four books featuring some of his best wartime columns; making the cover of TIME magazine, which also wrote a profile about him; and the selection of Burgess Meredith, then an Army captain on active duty, to play him in a Hollywood film, “The Story of G.I. Joe.” Meredith’s physical attributes helped him secure the part — the slightly built journalist, who was in his 40s during World War II, stood only 5-foot-8 and weighed 115 pounds.

Pyle was so well known that he even appeared in a 1944 magazine advertisement for Chesterfield cigarettes above the caption: “On every front I’ve covered … with our boys and our allies, Chesterfield is always a favorite.”

It was all heady stuff for the former farm boy whose yen to see the world resembled that of George Bailey, the Jimmy Stewart character in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“But Ernie was George Bailey who got out,” said Ray Boomhower, senior editor of Indiana Historical Society Press. That hadn’t surprised Pyle’s family. “He always said the world was too big for him to be doing confining work here on the farm,” his father told TIME magazine. Even so, Pyle spent nearly all of his first 23 years on Hoosier soil.

SATISFYING HIS WANDERLUST Ernest Taylor Pyle — the only child of tenant farmers William C. and Martha Taylor Pyle — was born in 1900 on an 80-acre grain farm southwest of

Dana in rural Vermillion County, not far from the Illinois state line. The family moved to a white farmhouse when he was 18 months old, and Ernest, as his relatives called him, resided there until his 1918 graduation from tiny Helt Township High School. In an era before the yellow school bus, Pyle often rode his favorite mare, Cricket, to the school building 3 miles south.

Pyle (center) visits with a tank crew of the 91st Tank Battalion in the Anzio Beachhead in Italy, circa March 1944. (Photo courtesy of National Archives, SC 191704)

After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve Force. But World War I ended before he could complete his training, so he enrolled at Indiana University in 1919.

Pyle didn’t major in journalism. He couldn’t — IU didn’t offer a journalism degree until 1932. He majored in economics and started signing up for journalism classes as a sophomore.

Pyle later said, “I took journalism at Indiana University because it was a cinch course and offered an escape from a farm life and farm animals.”

Yet he would serve as editor-in-chief of the IU student newspaper, join the journalism fraternity — Sigma Delta Chi, and become a $25-a-week reporter for the La Porte Daily Herald — leaving IU in early 1923 with just one semester to go.

Four months later, the young reporter was on the move again, this time to the Washington Daily News in the nation’s capital. In 1925, he married Geraldine Elizabeth “Jerry” Siebolds, whom he’d met at a Halloween party, and the following year, the restless Pyle quit his job, bought a new Model-T Ford roadster, took his new bride on a tour around the country, and as he recalled, “wound up six weeks later in New York, broke.

Had to sell the new Ford for $150 to get money for the next meal.” After brief stints with two New York City newspapers, he made a momentous decision to rejoin the Daily News in 1927.

His interest in the burgeoning field of aviation prompted him to launch the first-ever daily column devoted to the subject, which wound up in syndication with Pyle as aviation editor for the entire Scripps-Howard newspaper chain. Flying more than 100,000 miles, he tackled topics ranging from airmail pilots to whether passenger flights would ever be profitable and gained no less a fan than Amelia Earhart — who once remarked, “Not to know Ernie Pyle is to admit that you yourself are unknown in aviation.”

A promotion to managing editor in 1932 marked the end of the column, but after three years of office work, Pyle contracted influenza and found his way back to column writing. During a recuperative leave of absence, he hit the road with Jerry and returned to write 11 stories about his experiences.

An editor sensed “a sort of Mark Twain quality,” and Pyle soon traded his desk job for a gig that catered to his wanderlust. “I am a roving reporter,” he once explained. “Go where I

please, write what I please, and keep no office hours.”

His syndicated column ran six days a week under several titles, including “Roving Reporter,” “Hoosier Vagabond,” and “Vagabond from Indiana,” and frequently mentioned wife Jerry — variously identified as “the Girl Who Rides With Me,” “That Girl Who Travels With Me,” or simply “That Girl.”

They spent five years on the road, crisscrossing the country 35 times in an era before interstates, roadside McDonald’s, and other amenities that modern-day travelers take for granted.

“This was Depression-era America,” Chrisinger said. “He was driving on dirt roads most of the time.”

For Americans struggling to put food on the table, Pyle provided a daily escape with reports from such far-flung localities as Alaska, Hawaii, South America, and the Panama Canal. continued on page 24

APRIL 2025

23

continued from page 23 Readers appreciated his folksy writing style, his attention to unsung people and places, and his self-effacing persona — a “prose Charlie Chaplin,” as TIME magazine put it.

REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINES But the onset of World War II took Pyle to more distant destinations with life-and-death dramas. Yearning to write more consequential columns, he journeyed to England in 1940 to cover the Battle of Britain. He vividly described a German bombing that left “London stabbed with great fires, shaken by explosions, its dark regions along the Thames sparkling with the pinpoints of white-hot bombs.”

When American forces entered the war in 1941, Pyle went with them.

He toted a manual typewriter and submitted several stories at a time by military mail or by having them read over a shortwave radio. His Hoosier roots inspired occasional analogies, as when he compared a group of tanks preparing for battle to “the cars lined up at Indianapolis just before the race starts” and likened Okinawa to “Indiana in late summer when things have started to turn dry and brown, except that the fields were much smaller.” But his most memorable columns detailed the plight and sacrifice of the average GI. In Pyle’s most acclaimed effort, “The Death of Captain Waskow,” he painted a haunting picture of soldiers mourning the loss of a beloved young officer who perished in Italy: “He reached down and took the dead hand, and he sat there for a full five minutes, holding the dead hand in his own and looking intently into the dead face, and he never uttered a sound all the time he sat there. And finally he put the hand down, and then reached up and gently straightened the points

24 APRIL 2025

of the captain’s shirt collar, and then he sort of rearranged the tattered edges of his uniform around the wound. And then he got up and walked away down the road in the moonlight, all alone.”

This sign was built by Corporal Landon Seidler to mark the spot of Pyle’s death on Ie Shima.

(Photo courtesy of Indiana University Archives)

A LASTING LEGACY In 2011, the National Society of Newspaper Columnists voted “Captain Waskow” the top American column in history. If nothing else, the honor attested to the staying power of Ernie Pyle in the 21st century, at least among fellow journalists.

Whether that applies to the public at large on the 80th anniversary of his passing is less certain. It wasn’t always so — Pyle’s death in 1945 prompted an outpouring of buildings, roads, schools, and even military equipment named in his honor, including a troopship and a B-29 Superfortress.

Nowadays, Pyle lends his name to streets in Galax, Virginia; Fort Meade, Maryland; and Fort Riley, Kansas, along with a middle school and a public library in Albuquerque that occupies the only house Pyle and his wife ever owned. Two elementary schools in California and one in Indianapolis bear his name, but two others in Indiana have closed since 2010 — the first in Gary and the second, ironically, in Vermillion County, where he was born and raised.

Fortunately, Vermillion County still boasts Pyle’s birthplace and museum

in Dana. It’s planning an adjoining Ernie Pyle and Veterans Memorial Park — not to be confused with Ernie Pyle Rest Park, which just happens to be located near a stretch of U.S. 36 known as the Ernie Pyle Memorial Highway. Pyle’s name also adorns a travel plaza on the Indiana Toll Road and an island in Cagles Mill Lake.

Even Captain Waskow has a high school named after him in Texas, a testament to Pyle’s influence.

Perhaps it falls to current residents of Pyle’s home state to serve as keepers of the flame. In addition to his birthplace in Dana, the Indiana State Museum periodically displays some Pyle possessions, including one of his typewriters.

And nowhere is his legacy stronger than at Indiana University, home of Ernie Pyle Hall, the former journalism school building, and a Pyle statue outside Franklin Hall, where tomorrow’s reporters — some known as Ernie Pyle Scholars — hone their

talents at the Media School.

Students can also take an Ernie Pyle class that travels to Europe on spring break to follow his path. “If you ever go to IU [for journalism],” said Boomhower, “it’s hard not to be influenced by Ernie Pyle.”

True Ernie Pyle fans can collect a 16-cent Ernie Pyle stamp issued in 1971 and an Ernie Pyle G.I. Joe, complete with a typewriter, created for Hasbro’s D-Day Collection in 2001.

And the 1945 Ernie Pyle movie, “The Story of G.I. Joe,” can still be seen occasionally on cable movie channels — and free anytime on YouTube.

Pyle, an advisor on the film, never lived to see it, nor did the movie include his death.

Ernie Pyle will also be remembered this month in a place far from Indiana.

The American Legion post in Okinawa has held a memorial ceremony in his honor each year since 1952. Though Pyle is buried in Hawaii, participants gather at the Ernie Pyle Monument on the island of Iejima, its current name.

The Tampa Times predicted in 1945 that Pyle’s glory would not be forgotten for decades. Although Ernie Pyle deserves greater historical prominence, it’s heartening to know that he won’t be forgotten in this decade. Author Chrisinger discovered as much in 2019 when his online New York Times story about Pyle received more than a million views by the second day.

Apparently, the legacy of the farm boy from Dana still resonates. A 2020 documentary by WTIU, “Ernie Pyle: Life in the Trenches,” summed it

up: “From an accomplished Indiana University alumnus to a celebrated national newspaper columnist to the world’s most widely read war correspondent, Ernie Pyle was truly America’s storyteller.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Want to read some of Ernie Pyle’s work? Visit our website, indianaconnection.org, to read the entire column, “The Death of Captain Waskow”. You can also visit erniepyle.iu.edu to read more of his wartime columns and see a photo gallery of Pyle throughout the years.

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APRIL 2025

25

profile

Adorable reader pets In the January issue, we asked Indiana Connection readers to send in cute photos of their pets, and they delivered. After receiving almost 450 submissions of pets of all shapes and sizes, our team chose their top 10 favorites. Congratulations to our winner, Cheddar Bay Biscuit! Read on to learn more about our finalists.

Submissions edited for clarity.

Cheddar Bay Biscuit S U BM I T T E D BY K R I S T I N R I E S E N BE C K

“Cheddar Bay Biscuit is a Feline Infectious Peritonitis survivor.

She loves to play fetch and chase ribbons. She enjoys tablet games like smacking swimming fish. Her favorite treat is Churu.

You can follow her on Instagram at @cheddarbaybiscuit.kitty.”

Lila

Benny

Butterball

SUBMITTED BY AUDREY MCDANIEL

S U B MI TT E D BY J A M I E BR I D GE S

SUBMITTED BY ANDREA BATTISTA

“Lila is a 3-year-old Ragdoll and

“Benny is a 2-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi with quite the personality! He loves rolling in the snow and cuddling on the couch.

He is rambunctious and uses his voice when waking up in the morning with a rolled growl that sounds like Chewbacca.”

“Butterball is the king of our property and will be turning 10 years old this year, which is quite old for a turkey.

He is truly a lovable guy. He likes all baked goods and will not turn down any type of pasta, preferring mac-n-cheese. Although he isn’t a traditional pet, he has quite a following of people who have met and adored him.”

loves snuggling, stroller rides, and bird watching. She is obsessed with her 'big brother,’ our male Ragdoll cat, Grayson, and follows us around like a puppy. She is also very playful and chatty.”

26 APRIL 2025

profile

Daisy and HeiHei SUBMITTED BY KATHLEEN BOOK

Hank, Rosie, and Mr. T SUBMITTED BY KENDRA STOLL

“Hank in the back is an English Springer Spaniel. The Miniature Dachshund in the front is Rosie.

Mr. T is a tan, mixed breed. They are completely spoiled rotten and living their best lives. I had a Springer before Hank and just love the breed, so I had to get another one. Rosie and Mr. T are rescues and had rough beginnings in life, but now they receive unconditional love from us.”

“We first got our rooster, HeiHei, and then our dog, Daisy, shortly after.

We wanted Daisy to be raised with chickens so she would protect and be friends with them. They quickly became great friends and love to play together. HeiHei loves to run under Daisy, while she loves to roll on top of HeiHei. After playing, they are content to sit side by side. Daisy always looks for him in the chicken coop first thing in the morning so they can be together.”

Ellie SUBMITTED BY HALEY WHITTINGTON

“My pup's full name is Eleanor Elephant Whittington, but we call her Ellie. She is almost 2 years old and loves fetch, sunbathing, and her baby brother. Although she can shred a toy in a matter of minutes, she has the sweetest and gentlest personality.”

Irwin SUBMITTED BY MARTHA MARTIN

Leo and Liam SUBMITTED BY ERIC AND SUSAN NEWMAN

Carlos SU BM IT TE D B Y E MILY STE NG ER

“Carlos is a Nigerian Dwarf Wether and my first 4-H goat. I’ve had him since he was a baby. In this photo, he is 8 years old.”

“The yellow cat is Liam, and Leo is the grey cat. Liam was found in a barn a week after Leo was born, and Leo’s mother let Liam join their family. He was super small, and we thought he would be a runt. Well, that didn’t happen. Liam weighs 18 pounds, and Leo is 8.5 pounds. They are super spoiled.”

“Irwin was adopted as a puppy from the Dubois County Humane Society in January 2021. His mom is a blue heeler, and a DNA test showed he is half Great Pyrenees. Irwin enjoys traveling with his human mom, Gillian Martin of Roanoke, Indiana, and has dipped his paws in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in the same year! Irwin's hobbies include catching frisbees, watching birds, and meeting new friends at the dog park.”

APRIL 2025

27

Wabash Valley Power news

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28 APRIL 2025

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co-op news

PATTERSON CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE AT KOSCIUSKO REMC Vicky Patterson has

to fulfill that goal, earning her current role as vice president

been a dedicated

of human resources and executive administration.

and influential leader at Kosciusko

DRIVING CHANGE AND EMBRACING CHALLENGES

REMC (KREMC) for

Among the many transformations at KREMC during her

two decades. From her early days as an engineering and operations assistant to her current role as vice president of human resources and executive administration, Patterson has played a key role in the company’s growth and success. As

tenure, Patterson highlights the creation of Kosciusko Connect, the company’s fiber internet subsidiary, as the most significant. “The biggest change was helping to start Kosciusko Connect, our fiber internet company,” she said.

The cooperative spirit at KREMC positively impacted Patterson during her career. “The most rewarding aspect of working in a cooperative is that people genuinely want to help each other succeed,” Patterson noted. This sense of community and teamwork has been a defining element of her experience.

she approaches retirement, she takes a moment to reflect

When reflecting on her proudest accomplishments, she

on her journey, the challenges she has overcome, and the

emphasized her role in assisting the CEO and board of

accomplishments that have made her career so rewarding.

directors, underscoring her commitment to excellence.

A CAREER BUILT ON EXPERIENCE AND DEDICATION With an impressive 23-year customer service and

“I’m most proud of assisting the CEO and board of directors with whatever they needed. Projects were always completed on time and accurately.”

public affairs background at another utility company,

However, her journey was not without challenges. “The

Patterson was well-prepared when she joined KREMC

most challenging thing I’ve had to overcome is learning

as an engineering and operations assistant. “I had utility

human resources,” she said. However, she embraced the

experience that I could share with KREMC and be helpful

learning curve and thrived in her leadership role.

to them immediately,” she recalled.

From the outset, Patterson had a clear vision for her

MEANINGFUL MILESTONES AND LOOKING AHEAD

future. “My initial aspirations were to learn the operations

Several moments stand out as especially meaningful to

side of the utility business and then advance to the

Patterson. “Assisting with storm restoration, helping launch

human resources/executive administration position,” she

Kosciusko Connect, and being promoted to vice president

explained. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business

were all significant milestones,” she said.

management in 2010. Her dedication and expertise led her

continued on page 30

APRIL 2025

29

co-op news

Patterson in her office at KREMC

continued from page 29

As KREMC celebrates her 20 years of dedicated service,

As she retires this month, Patterson looks back on her

Patterson’s impact on the organization is undeniable. Her

career with gratitude. “After almost 48 years in Corporate

leadership, hard work, and unwavering commitment have

America, personally and professionally, I have sincerely

left a lasting legacy, and she will be dearly missed. The

enjoyed my job responsibilities and working. I’m grateful

entire KREMC family wishes her all the best in her well-

for the people I have worked with at KREMC and the

earned retirement!

opportunities to assist with the company’s goals.”

Patterson offers valuable advice for those early in their careers at KREMC: “My advice is to complete your work to the best of your ability and on time, have a positive attitude, keep your word, and obtain whatever education you need to advance your work path. I earned my bachelor’s in business management in my 50s and wish I had earned it years earlier!”

A BRIGHT FUTURE IN RETIREMENT While Patterson’s career at KREMC is coming to a close, her next chapter is filled with exciting possibilities. “I look forward to sleeping in, road-tripping more to see the grandchildren with my hubby, continuing community service through Altrusa, and doing whatever my little heart desires when it desires!” she said enthusiastically.

30 APRIL 2025

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Discount is priced as marked in checkout. Not applicable to gift cards or prior purchases. May not be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers. Returns credited at discounted price.

Only applies to in-stock merchandise. Expires 5/31/2025. Order by mail: Woman Within, 500 S. Mesa Hills Drive, El Paso, TX 79912

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