November was another busy month for Hoosiers. In the midst of new jobs announcements and plans for future progress, there was plenty of time to be thankful for what we have and for the people who do so much to protect us.

Honoring Indiana’s Bravest

November was a great month for honoring our military, from veterans to those in the service today. On Veterans Day, I had the opportunity to spend time with war heroes and young Hoosier school children. The day started with a visit to Crooked Creek Elementary, where students had spent hours creating cards and letters to send to our troops overseas. They were part of "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes," an annual card drive my office holds for deployed service members. This year, thanks to the students at Crooked Creek and people all over the state, we collected 15,000 cards and letters! They are already on their way overseas. If you participated in the card drive, I want you to know how much your kind words mean. Thank you for helping us make a difference!

Students at Crooked Creek Elementary present Lt. Gov. Skillman with a few of the 15,000 cards and letters collected for "Hoosier Cheer for Our Heroes."

Veterans Day was a celebration, both of the heroes in our midst and those who have gone before. The Memorial Service held in Indianapolis was a moving event. I was honored to stand up with several Generals from the Air Force and the Army as we honored Indiana’s bravest. Quite a few of them are deployed this holiday season. But, some were able to make it home before the end of the year. Later in the month, I welcomed some U.S. Army Reservists back to the states at the Welcome Home Warrior Citizen Awards. It’s always good to see our soldiers back on American soil.

Keeping Indiana's Economy Strong

Not only did we honor our armed forces, we took time to honor a different kind of community leader this month. Governor Daniels and I hosted the Century and Half Century Business Awards, recognizing Hoosier Companies that have been in business for 50 or 100 years. The folks who received awards know the secret to success—hard work! They are leading the next generation of Hoosier entrepreneurs by their example of longevity in business.

The Governor and I also teamed up at the Office of Community and Rural Affairs' Annual Rural Summit.  The Governor kicked things off, and I spoke on the last day of the conference.  We renewed our commitment to rural Indiana and our dedication to further rural development.  More than 200 community leaders and economic development officials attended the summit.  They are seeing measurable progress happening all across the state.  There’s a growing sense that our years of economic stagnation are being replaced with a season of rejuvenation, and I know that the summit provided a great forum to keep that rejuvenation going strong.

That rejuvenation is obvious in Clark County right now.  I traveled there to announce 93 new jobs at Marine Builders Inc., a custom boat builder in Utica. While I was in Southern Indiana, I joined the O’Bannon family to cut the ribbon for the opening of the Frank O’Bannon Highway. Despite the rainy weather, we celebrated the new road, where State Road 37 connects I-64 with SR 64 in Perry and Crawford counties, and Governor O’Bannon’s lifelong efforts to revitalize the economy of Southern Indiana.

Lt. Governor Skillman joins Judy O'Bannon and members of the O'Bannon family to cut the ribbon to open the Frank O'Bannon Highway through Perry and Crawford counties.

In Indianapolis, I spoke to a motivated group of business professionals known as Tech Point. They represent Indiana’s technology community, and they are working to make our state a recognized technology leader. I talked about the state’s economic development plans and the incentives we are providing to high-tech companies. From the 21^st Century Research and Technology Fund to the High Growth Fund – designed to attract more companies with high-skilled jobs to Indiana – Indiana is moving forward. Groups like Tech Point are leading the way.

Celebrating Hoosier Communities

November’s busyness was mingled with wonderful moments of celebration. I told you about the way we honored our service members on Veterans Day, but we also honored some needy Hoosiers in the week before Thanksgiving.  Thanks to a generous donation from the Indiana State Poultry Association and its partners,  

Lt. Gov. Skillman shares a laugh with Gene and Cynthia Gardner (seated) and George Pillow at the UNCF An Evening of Stars Gala.

we were able to offer 72,000 pounds of poultry products to families who needed a helping hand to put their Thanksgiving feast on the table this year.

We wrapped up November with a beautiful gala hosted by the United Negro College Fund. I’ve been proud for the past few years to act as an honorary co-chair of their giving society, and the gala was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the generous Hoosiers who are helping promising young students realize their dreams of a college education.