WARSAW — There was no special ceremony or speeches, but a group of individuals gathered around the flag pole at the southeast corner of the courthouse for the official raising of the state’s bicentennial flag. Other cities and towns across the state took part in similar actions at noon today, including Winona Lake

Present for the event were Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, Kosciusko County Commissioner Bob Conley, Kosciusko County Treasurer and Association of Indiana Counties member Sue Ann Mitchell, Kosciusko County Auditor Michelle Pucket and local members of the county bicentennial celebration: Diane Wulliman, county co-coordinator; Kristi Martin, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Jean Weller, Deb Wright and Mike Loher.

Celebrating the state’s bicentennial by participating in the raising of the bicentennial flag are shown above. In front, from left, are Deb Wright and Jean Weller, committee members; Bob Conley, county commissioner; and Sue Ann Mitchell, county treasurer. Standing in back are Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer; Diane Wulliman, county coordinator; Michelle Puckett, county auditor; Mike Lohr and Kristi Martin, committee members. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Wulliman, who coordinated the days event stated “we just put the flag up today to start the year long celebration for the bicentennial. We’ll have events throughout the year culminating in our big county festival Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, the day the torch comes through,” adding “we’re still looking for torch bearer nominations.”

Mitchell is a member of the organization, AIC, who provided each county council a flag “in honor of the bicentennial of the state organization and what a privilege it is to be in the state of Indiana,” said Mitchell.

“The city and the county have been working together, it’s been a project they have been working on for at least a year now,” said Thallemer. “Jennifer Whitaker from HR and Deb and the whole group, are meeting regularly to be a big part of the planning and be a big part of the celebration as well.”

Martin noted she was proud “to be here today to celebrate 200 years of Indiana. I’m really excited.” Martin stated Syracuse has a lot of things planned for the bicentennial. We’re gearing all of our events around the celebration.”

“The flag is a symbol of unity as we kick off the bicentennial,” Executive Director of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission Perry Hammock said. “In their hometowns and in their travels, Hoosiers will see the Bicentennial flag waving all across the state during our year-long celebration.”

Diane Wulliman, county coordinator and Bob Conley, county commissioner, work with Steve Amburgy, county courthouse maintenance, to raise the bicentennial flag. (Photos by Deb Patterson)

Additional flags were provided to all cities and towns by MacAllister Machinery Company. Each city and town will raised flags at various locations such as town halls and city parks.

The white flag presents the Indiana 200 Bicentennial logo in the blue and yellow of the Indiana State Flag. Bicentennial flags are available in full size (3-feet by 5-feet) and in miniature (4 inches by 6 inches). They can be purchased at the Indiana Historical Bureau and online at the IHB website, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

At Winona Lake

Winona Lake Town Manager, Craig Allebach, made sure Winona Lake took part in the celebration by raising the bicentennial flag at the town hall in that town.

Even In Washington D.C.

In honor of Indiana’s 199th birthday, today Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-02) joined the Indiana Congressional delegation to celebrate Indiana Statehood Day and the beginning of a yearlong countdown to its bicentennial in 2016 with the official Indiana Bicentennial Flag.

“As we honor our state today, it’s important for Hoosiers across Indiana to remember our history and reflect on how great our state truly is,” Walorski said. “I want to thank the Indiana Bicentennial Commission for providing  the commemorative flag and I look forward to celebrating our state’s history not just today, but every day.”