Senator ‘touched’ and inspired by courthouse crosses and Marine vet’s story

Cars with hushed radios slowed while passing the courthouse lawn yesterday morning. A group of passing bikers dismounted in an impromptu decision to attend Shelby County’s Memorial Day program. Senator Joe Donnelly (D-IN), in town to interview Marine veteran Tom Harding, was equally moved.

“When I drove by the courthouse and saw all the crosses with all the names, it tells you how devoted Shelbyville is to our nation’s safety and security, how patriotic everybody here is,” Donnelly said to me, following his interview. “It really touched me inside.”

An hour after Roger Clark and Troy King read the names of Shelby County’s 149 fallen soldiers, Betty Covalt and Dianna Merritt laid the wreath, the 21-gun salute, and Garry Lauziere played “Taps” to close the ceremony, Donnelly and Harding met at the Shelbyville Police Department for an official Veterans History Project interview. The recording will be archived at the Library of Congress. City Councilwoman Joanne Bowen, her husband Gary Bowen, and niece Sarah Barnett sat in on the interview as well.

Although dedicated to those who died in war, yesterday’s holiday served as an appropriate backdrop for Harding to recall his Marine Corps service, which began with his enlistment 60 years ago, on March 18, 1957.

Harding, a Marietta native, was the ninth of ten children, of which five of the six boys served in the armed forces. His cousins, Harvey and Delbert McGrew, have crosses on the courthouse lawn recognizing their sacrifices in World War II. For Harding, serving the country seemed logical, a rite of passage.

“I did a lot of growing up,” Harding said. “The Marine Corps doesn’t coddle you.”

While boarding the bus at boot camp, Harding was loudly reprimanded for chewing gum and told to eliminate any extra in his pockets.

“At boot camp, you figured out you weren’t the number one person, but were part of the whole scheme of things,” he said.

His early trainings took him from San Diego to Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, Calif.

“I didn’t have a driver’s license to drive a car, but I was assigned to drive a 50-ton Challenger,” he recalled. “It worked out all right. I didn’t hurt anybody. I don’t recall running over anything.”

With basic, infantry, and artillery training under his belt, he headed to Okinawa in the Pacific on a troop ship with approximately 1,900 fellow soldiers.

“I hear people now talking about going on a cruise,” Harding mused, “but I’ve had all the cruising I want.” Of course, he recognizes that today’s cruise ships are much different than those from his experiences. “I don’t imagine you eat standing up.”

Harding served two tours in Okinawa, was honorably discharged, and returned to Shelbyville, where he spent 40 years working at General Electric, which later became Wellman. He retired over 15 years ago. He also served in the National Guard from 1971 to 1992. A widower since 2009, Harding has a daughter and two grandsons. He remains active in local politics, currently serving as a precinct committeeman.

With the interview complete, Harding and the Bowen’s departed, and the Senator turned to his staff and me. “There’s a lot more wisdom in Shelbyville than there is in Washington, D.C.,” he remarked.

Donnelly added that Indiana has become one of the largest contributors to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. He sees that participation as critical for future generations. “Shelbyville is the heart of America,” Donnelly said. “It was a real honor to be here with Tom (Harding).”

Editor’s note: A full list of Shelby County soldiers killed in action is here.