Government

Local officials honor Chastain

Montgomery County Commissioners John Frey and Jim Fulwider, at left, and Commissioner Dan Guard and Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton, far right, pose with former Commissioner Phil Bane, third from right, and members of the Richard Chastain family.

Bob Cox/Journal Review

Posted Tuesday, August 15, 2023 1:15 am

RICHARD CHASTAIN REMEMBRANCE DAY

JOINT PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY OF CRAWFORDSVILLE AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

RICHARD CHASTAIN REMEMBRANCE DAY

AUGUST 17, 2023

WHEREAS, Richard Chastain was born on Aug. 4, 1933, in Salem, Indiana, graduating from Campbellsburg High School and later Purdue University; and

WHEREAS, he was a good husband and a loving father to his four children: David, Jeff, Laura, and Cindy, providing for their educations and being a good role model for them, and

WHEREAS, Richard Chastain faithfully served his community, state, and country as a member of the Indiana National Guard and as a Montgomery County Councilman; and

WHEREAS, during Richard’s service, he completed many training courses, equipping him with the skills and knowledge to be an effective leader among his peers and subordinates, these courses include the Artillery Officer Basic Course, the Aerial Observer Course, the Associate Field Artillery Officer Career Course, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, among many others; and

WHEREAS, he achieved great successes during his service, rising to be the Commander of the 38th Infantry Division of the Indiana National Guard; and

WHEREAS, he earned several awards as a result of his service, these include the Indiana Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Distinguished Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, Richard faithfully served Montgomery County as a County Councilman for more than 10 years.

WHEREAS, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has directed that flags in Crawfordsville and Montgomery County be flown at half-staff on Aug. 5, 2023, in honor of Richard Chastain’s service to our country, state and community.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mayor Todd D. Barton, do hereby proclaim that Aug. 5, 2023, shall, with reverence, be observed as “ROBERT CHASTAIN REMEMBRANCE DAY” in the City of Crawfordsville. I encourage the residents of Crawfordsville, and those that surround it, to honor and reflect on Robert and his dedication to our country, state, and community.

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have here unto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Crawfordsville on this Aug. 5,2023

Todd D. Barton, Mayor

Bob Cox | Journal Review

Montgomery County Commissioners along with the City of Crawfordsville and Mayor Todd Barton, proclaimed Thursday as General Richard Chastain Day.

Chastain, a former county officeholder and retired military officer, and wife Marilyn Fox perished in a home explosion Aug. 5.

Several members of the Chastain family attended Monday’s county commissioner meeting.

“Dad was a humble man and he loved serving this county and country,” said Cindy Chastain, the eldest of the Chastain children. “We appreciate this honor.”

Commission President John Frey asked former commissioner Phil Bane to say a few words about Chastain, who was a county council member from 2007 to 2018. Bane and Chastain worked closely together while they served on their respective elected positions.

“Dick brought a calm demeanor to the council,” Bane said. “He was conscientious and did his homework. He brought a certain amount of wisdom and he was a team player.”

Frey said it has been a “tough week” in Montgomery County following Chastain’s passing, and this week will be “tough” as well. Visitation is scheduled for 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and the will follow at 10 a.m. Thursday at the National Guard Armory, 1405 S. Washington St., Crawfordsville.

In other business, commissioners:

• Opened four bids for the jail roof repair project. Century Roofing of Covington was awarded the contract in the amount of $88,840.

• Approved a request from Karen Bray to close a portion of Hunter’s Glen Subdivision road for a block party from 2-8 p.m. Sept. 9. County Highway Director Jake Lough will provide barricades.

• Approved a bid to repair the sidewalk at the government center in the amount of $11,472.