Indiana Patriot Guard Riders — riding with honor and respect

By PHOEBE MUTHART Editor

When a military veteran passes away, one group makes sure that person is recognized with dignity, respect and honor.

The Indiana Patriot Guard Riders was formed to honor military veterans who are deceased or still alive. IPGR was incorporated in October 2006 in Indiana as a nonprofit.

IPGR has an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security — the men and women of the military.

Chuck Damp, 66, said the group consists of all volunteers.

No one is paid, said Damp, an assistant senior ride captain who also serves on the board of directors.

The north central Indiana chapter consists of 12 counties, including Marshall, Elkhart and St. Joseph counties.

There were IPGR honor guards at 367 funerals in Indiana in 2021.

“Last year, in our area, there were at 42 funerals,” Damp said of the north central area.

Senior Life-St. Joseph

One of those funerals was for a solder killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He was from Logansport and 9,700 motorcycle escorts rode from Grissom Air Reserve Base to Logansport.

IPGR’s main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

A Bristol resident, Damp is a member of the American Legion Post 357 in South Bend. He is an Air Force veteran and served 15 years in the military, retiring in 1994. He’s been a member of IPGR for the past 10 years.

IPGR also does ceremonies for military members who arrive home at South Bend International Airport.

“We do a flag line at the airport concourse,” he said. “We also do fire, police and first responders along with our veterans. They are heroes just like the veterans.”

The group also participates in military stand downs, flag lines, and Honor Flight send-offs and returns.

Even though the name is IPGR, Damp said people do not have to have a motorcycle to participate.

The group is also made up of different combat veterans groups, such as American Legion members among others.

“It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. The only prerequisite is respect,” said Damp.

“We need people to step up and just show up.”

On Dyngus Day, April 10, said Damp, there were only three people in a flag line.

“We do it for the veterans, but it also makes the family feel better,” Damp said. “We are there to support the family.”

IPGR also did a ceremony for a service dog one time, said Damp.

IPGR also send care packages to overseas military members. Each care package sent costs approximately $53 and contains approximately 50 pounds of goodies for the troops.

“We send a package addressed to one military person, and they in turn share it with others. We send a signed IPGR flag with the care package,” said Damp.

An invitation from a family member must be done for IPGR to attend a service and must be presented through an authorized ride captain of IPGR, said Damp. For more information, upcoming funerals and events, or to make a donation or a request, visit inpatriotguard.org or its Facebook page.

The History Museum presents lecture on Studebaker buildings

Kyle Sater, a curator at Studebaker National Museum, chronicles Studebaker production facilities, sales outlets, showrooms and dealerships in towns and cities all over the world — some torn down and some now repurposed—in his presentation “Built to Last: Studebaker Buildings Past and Present,” taking place at The History Museum’s “Insights in History” program at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3.

Admission is $3. Reservations are required by Monday, May 1. Insights in History is sponsored by THK Law LLP.

A tour of the Studebaker National Museum exhibit “Built to Last: Studebaker Buildings Past and Present” will be offered.

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“Insights in History” is a monthly series that features a lecture in conjunction with an exhibit at The History Museum. For information, call The History Museum at (574) 235-9664 or visit historymuseumsb.org.

Mediterranean diet promotes healthy living

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life

Features

One way to live a long and healthy life is to adopt the Mediterranean diet, report Harvard researchers.

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Tables that focus on fruit, vegetables, olive oil, fish and nuts add healthy years to life, according to the report. Those who followed this type of diet also had 35% less chance of developing cognitive impairment and memory loss.

Even now-and-then feasts on this diet helps protect the body from cell damage and disease.

Results of another six-year study of adults 50 years and older revealed that vegetarians and subjects who eat fish occasionally logged the lowest mortality rate.