Articles by Josh Lange

By Joshua Lange

Since 2024, I have wanted to properly honor Private Mead Hurd, Mishawaka’s only Revolutionary War veteran. This led me to writing an article on him, purchasing a brick in his name at the Veteran’s Walkway in Battell Park, and posting a biography of Mead Hurd on FindAGrave. Despite all of this, I felt that there was something missing, and that was an event and an official proclamation. I waited until 2026 to organize the event and lobby for the proclamation as this year is the 250th birthday of our nation.

In April, I formally proposed the idea of a proclamation honoring Mead Hurd for America 250 to the Mishawaka Common Council. Council President Gregg Hixenbaugh and the council unanimously agreed as did Mishawaka City Clerk Debbie Ladyda-Block that this idea should be passed along to the mayor’s office. I then spoke to Mayor Dave Wood, and he agreed to formally support a proclamation.

I was entrusted by the City of Mishawaka to write the proclamation, which I had Mishawaka Historian Laureate, Peter De Kever, edit. Councilman Tony Violi requested that July 19^th would be Private Mead Hurd Day, as that would be the anniversary of his death, to which everyone agreed. 

With the momentum from the city and encouragement from Peter De Kever, I decided to organize an official ceremony to honor Private Mead Hurd at his gravesite in City Cemetery on July 19^th. I contacted the Daughters of the American Revolution, who helped with getting the Miller’s Vets honor guard.

That Sunday was a perfect clear day, something that was a blessing as the previous days had been hazy from all the Canadian wildfire smoke. The attendance was very good, around two dozen people, including WSBT-TV. Four Mishawaka officials attended, Councilwoman Lacy Hahn, Councilman Tony Violi, Councilwoman Kate Voelker, and Director of Government Affairs, Matt Lentsch.

As the host of the event, I started by thanking everyone for attending then asked for everyone to recite the pledge of allegiance. The attendees then turned and waited for the Miller’s Vets Honor Guard to raise their flags, and we recited the pledge. I explained that Private Mead Hurd is important because he is our city’s first veteran. I then went on to introduce the reason I created this event and introduced Peter De Kever to explain the background of Private Mead Hurd.

Afterwards, Carol Nichols of the Schuyler Colfax Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as Chloe, Cassiday, and Chloe McClure of the Princess Mishawaka Chapter of Children of the American Revolution presented wreaths.

Matt Lentsch then spoke on the significance of America 250 and Mishawaka honoring veterans. He also explained that the mayor was unable to attend because of family obligations.

I handed the proclamation to Councilwoman Kate Voelker, whose district City Cemetery is located in. She read the proclamation in front of Private Mead Hurd’s grave and then handed it to me to place at the gravesite.

Finally, we ended the event singing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and then I thanked everyone one last time for attending.

With the event over, I handed the proclamation to Peter De Kever to have it displayed at the Mishawaka Historical Museum. Before I left, WSBT-TV interviewed me and included the following quote from me on the news: “America is a great nation because of people like Private Mead Hurd, and I’m glad that we were able to honor him today and honor his sacrifice and his service to our nation.”

Overall, the event was a resounding success and educated the public on Mishawaka’s first veteran. I want to thank the City of Mishawaka, Peter De Kever, the Daughters and Children of the American Revolution, and Miller’s Vets for participating in the event. Private Mead Hurd would be proud to see Americans honoring him 192 years after his death and to see America still alive and well!