Memorial Day Services are scheduled to begin in the 10 a.m. hour in front of the Shelby County Courthouse.
Colonel Scott Oden will serve as the guest speaker for Monday’s event. A Kokomo native, Oden graduated from Ball State in 2003 while also earning the distinction of being at ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate.
Colonel Oden’s career began in 2004 when he attended the Aviation Officer Basic Course and UH-60 “Blackhawk” Flight School XXI qualification course at Fort Novosel, Alabama. He graduated in June 2005 as an Honor Graduate. His first aviation assignment was Platoon Leader for Company B 2-238th Assault Helicopter Battalion.
Oden has also held positions such as: Aeromedical Evacuation Officer and Flight Operations officer for Company C 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, Medical Operations Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company 38th Combat Aviation Brigade. Colonel Oden serves as the State Army Aviation Officer for the Indiana National Guard.
Oden is qualified in the UH-60 “Blackhawk” as an Instructor Pilot, and OH-58 “Kiowa” accumulating more than 2,000 flight hours.
Colonel Oden has participated in operational deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Additional operations include: state emergencies and divisional and brigade warfighting exercises.
Oden has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Valorous Unit Award, Master Army Aviator Badge, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold) and other state awards.
Colonel Oden is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, earning a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies. He resides in Indianapolis with his wife, Kristie, and three children.
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