PCPL to recognize vets with Heroes' Tree and ornament-making effort

The Putnam County Public Library is collaborating with the Indiana State Library, the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University (MFRI) and public libraries across the state to honor military members, veterans and their families by participating in the annual Our Heroes' Tree program.

Our Heroes Tree project recognizes current and past service members as well as their families.

PCPL will hold an ornament making session for all ages on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m. Supplies will be provided at no charge. Light refreshments will be served.

Participants will create handmade ornaments to honor a particular veteran or service members in general. Persons are encouraged to personalize ornaments with photographs of past or present service members, and/or letters and other memorabilia that can be crafted into an ornament. Participants may also may bring an ornament made at home to the library after Dec. 2 to place on the dedicated Heroes' Tree.

Stories about individual service members, articles, poems and more can also be submitted and displayed in a binder near the tree.

"For our citizens, the library is a community gathering place where information is found and shared. It is the heart of some communities where people, young or old, highly educated or just learning, meet to gain new ideas or share in memories of the past," Kathy Broniarczyk, director of outreach for MFRI, said. "Partnering with the Indiana libraries for Our Heroes' Tree creates an opportunity to increase awareness within local communities about the service and sacrifice fellow citizens have made in defense of their state and country."

Our Heroes' Tree is a national program founded to recognize and honor the sacrifices of current service members, veterans and deceased service members. Libraries will also offer resources to help these communities provide support and generate a greater understanding of the experiences of servicemen and women and their families.

"This is a remarkable initiative that promotes patriotism throughout Indiana communities via their local public library," Roberta L. Brooker, Indiana's State librarian, said. "We look forward to discovering all of the wonderful things Indiana communities have done to recognize our state's military members and their families."