Judith Monroe, health commissioner for Indiana, plans to shut down a children's home in Knightstown because "the existing business model is inefficient." She also claims the home's school "runs contrary to preferred practices" and that the home itself is "outdated and costly to operate." In a Jan. 5 letter to an advisory board for Gov. Mitch Daniels, Monroe recommended that all current residents be returned to their families. Monroe's suggestion begs the question of why at-risk children, given the opportunity to excel in a safe mentoring community, should be returned to the same environments from which they came.

The state's American Legion family, a key supporter of the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home in Knightstown since 1929, is up in arms over the state's move to close the venerable institution that has protected and educated children since 1865.

"Some of those children who are at-risk have no place to go," said Kenya Ostermeier, the American Legion Auxiliary's state chairman for the Knightstown home. "As a Legion family, we are going to protest. We will also be analyzing the cost figures. We believe that some of them are inaccurate."

Department of Indiana Adjutant Stephen Short does not believe the state has made a strong case to close the home. "They are convinced that their study is correct, but we don't buy it," he said. "We have no problem entering a discussion on how things could be run more efficiently. But closing this home is strictly a cost-cutting measure without a plan.

"The Department of Health has virtually no plan to take care of these kids," Short said. "They intend to put together a task force to come up with a plan, but that should have been done before they talked about closing the home - not the other way around."

On Jan. 10, about 400 people gathered at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis to protest the Knightstown home's closing: Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, Sons of The American Legion members, alumni of the children's home and school, and other interested parties - including the home's superintendent, Paul Wilkinson.

"The reception they gave us at the Marriott was overwhelming. I've been here 34 years, and The American Legion has been our biggest supporter," Wilkinson said. "They've always been there for the students: various outings, Christmas celebrations, trips for the seniors to Washington, D.C., and Chicago. They've even purchased vehicles for the home.

"The Legion just keeps coming back and takes care of them, year after year," he said."

Last month, about 60 members of The American Legion Riders drove to Knightstown and delivered Christmas gifts to all 118 children at the home. They brought along pizza and spent time with the kids. Santa and Mrs. Claus even made an appearance, handing out stockings stuffed with goodies. Sponsored by Speedway Post 500 in Indianapolis, the event was the most recent of many such Legion visits to the home.

Wilkinson said the Legion has also provided scholarships to some of the children who graduate from the Knightstown home's educational arm, Morton Memorial High School. Instructors there are employed by the home and fully licensed by the state. The school is also accredited by the North Central Accreditation Association. This spring, 18 students are scheduled to graduate from the high school.

During the Marriott meeting, resolutions were passed by The American Legion Department of Indiana and the Auxiliary to oppose the Knightstown home's closing, and to establish temporary committees to investigate the state's proposal.

We've pledged our support, through legal and lobbying efforts, to have the home's budget reinstated," Short said. "We've launched an e-mail blitz on state legislators, and we're encouraging the Legion family to join the effort."

Short said he was contacted Jan. 12 by Monroe's assistant, requesting a meeting with Legion representatives that is scheduled for Jan. 23.

Supporters of the Knightstown children's home are being urged to attend a rally Monday, Jan. 26, at the state house in Indianapolis; a legislative hearing on the issues is scheduled for Jan. 27.

Superintendent Wilkinson plans to keep doing his job until the children's home closes - if it closes. "My dedication is to the staff and students, to make certain that services are being provided to them," he said. "And thanks to The American Legion for all those years of support."

Reprinted from the American Legion Online Update. Subscribe to the Online Update here.