When residents visited the Brownsburg Field of Honor in November, they were greeted by more than 200 American flags lining the Town Hall Green, each representing a veteran or service member. For Brownsburg resident Glenn Nulty, helping bring the project to life is a way to ensure veterans are never forgotten.
Nulty, who has lived in Brownsburg since 1988, served 30 years in the Army National Guard in New York and Indiana, including five years in reserve duty and 25 years on active duty.
His motivation for joining was simple. “The desire to serve, and what better way than to serve my country,” he said.
That commitment and drive to serve have continued well beyond his military career. Today, he volunteers as a lab runner at Roudebush VA Hospital, where his late wife once received care.
“The staff is second to none,” he said. “My wife has passed away, and I give back to the VA hospital, staff and veterans in her honor.”
He is also a member of the Colonel Billie J. Holmes Memorial Post 331 of the American Legion, which he describes as a source of camaraderie and support.
“Post 331 helped me become a Hoosier,” he said. “I will never forget the Post 331 members I met along the way, including Colonel Billie J. Holmes.”
Nulty also volunteers as a mediator with the Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program. In that role, he helps resolve conflicts between service members and their civilian employers.
Beyond his work with veterans’ organizations, Nulty has served on the Town of Brownsburg’s Advisory Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Redevelopment Commission.
“The world is run by people who show up,” he said. “Someone has to show up, why not be me? And I get great satisfaction from volunteering, giving back and making people smile.”
His involvement with the Field of Honor began when Town Manager Deb Cook asked him to assist with a Veterans Day project for Brownsburg. After learning about the program’s goals, he “thought it was worth time and energy.”
“When service members are away from home serving, many times in harm’s way, life at home continues,” Nulty said. “Events like this let these service members and veterans know they are not forgotten and their service is not in vain.”
Residents who dedicate a flag provide direct support to the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund, which offers grants to Army and Air Guard members facing financial need. As a former Guard member, Nulty said this cause is “close to my heart.” In addition, flag dedications will receive the flag, a certificate honoring their active service member or veteran, and the flag will be marked with its dedication on the field.
“Residents will be getting a feeling of being a good American, supporting veterans and current National Guard members, and they’ll have a memory of their loved one’s service.”
He hopes the Field of Honor will remind visitors of the sacrifices made by veterans and service members. “Without veterans, where would we be now as a nation?” he said.
Nulty believes honoring veterans can be simple. “Just respecting their service and commitment to our country,” he said. “Many people say ‘Thanks for your service,’ which I appreciate. But perhaps say, ‘Thanks for my freedom.’ That’s the end product of all veterans and first responders who wear the uniform.”
He also sees the Field of Honor as part of Brownsburg’s larger commitment to remembrance, noting the Veterans Memorial at Williams Park and the 9/11 Memorial, featuring a piece of steel from the original World Trade Center, at Arbuckle Commons.
“As the old adage states, ‘Lest we forget.’ The Brownsburg community does not forget,” he said.
His message to the public is straightforward. “Respect those who serve and served — simple. They wrote a check with their lives as collateral. I believe the Brownsburg community does this now. Thank you, Brownsburg. I am proud to be part of this community and project and proud to have served my country.”
