Bloomfield-Eastern Greene Library to honor veterans with 'Hero Tree'

Looking for a unique way to honor a veteran, or someone currently in the armed services, as a hero?

The Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library is going to offer the opportunity to take part in the "Our Heroes Tree" Initiative sponsored by the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University.

Library Director John Helling said participating libraries across the state will be displaying a tree in October and early November and community members can create handmade ornaments to add to the tree from now until Veterans' Day.

"Starting now, we are participating and have a tree up on display in the library. We'd like to get as many ornaments as possible onto the tree before Veterans' Day. Members of the community can help decorate the tree with their own ornaments that commemorate friends or family that have served or are currently serving in the armed forces," said Helling.

The program is designed as a way to honor those who have served as well as provide resources to help communities provide support and understanding to local servicemen and women and their families.

To participate in the Our Heroes Tree initiative, simply create a handmade ornament honoring a service member from past or present wars, conflicts or peacetime operations. Bring the ornament to a participating library and it will be placed on the tree with other ornaments. In addition, stories about individual service members may also be submitted and they will be displayed in a binder near the tree.

The Initiative also includes a Heroes Tree online -- all ornaments submitted to a local library will become a part of the Virtual Indiana State Heroes Tree. The online version will be organized by the library were the ornament was submitted.

The Virtual Our Heroes Tree can be found online at www.mfri.purdue.edu/virtualheroeshome

For more information, visit the Bloomfield-Eastern Greene County Public Library at www.bloomfield.lib.in.us or call 384-4125.