Indiana is home to more than 450,000 military veterans, men and women who have served all over the world and brought back incredible skills and experiences to our communities. Amongst Indiana’s veterans, roughly 1 in 5 are between the ages of 18-44, and there are more than 1.7 million Millennial veterans throughout the country. In Indy, they are entrepreneurs, public servants and corporate leaders, and they are amongst the incredible individuals who prove People Make the City.
As we look to Veteran’s Day and IndyHub’s upcoming Think and Drink with the Marion County Office of Veteran Services, Azimuth, and the USO, we want to introduce you to a few of the local heroes who make our city shine.
Nick Rossano
Served: United States Marine Corps
Indy Status: Transplant from Louisville, Kentucky
9-to-5: Founder of Adaptive Nursing and Healthcare Services, providing nurses in the homes of our aged and disabled population to allow them to live independently in the comfort of their own homes.
Why did you join the military: I joined a month after 9/11. I put my life on hold, dropped out of college and enlisted as a PFC in order to serve my country.
Fun Fact: If Nick had his own late night talk show, he’d insist that Will Ferrell be his first guest.
Matthew Piety
Served: United States Navy
Indy Status: Homecomer
9 to 5: Director of Sales at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Why did you join the military: I wasn’t quite sure what career path I wanted, but I knew that being in the military would give me a variety of experiences and set me up for success in whatever I decided to do.
Fun Fact: Matthew’s most used emoji is 🙌🏽.
Bryan Schmidt
Served: United States Marine Corps
Indy Status: Homecomer
9-to-5: Veterans Service Officer – Mayor’s Office/City of Indianapolis
Why did you join the military: The desire to serve, engage in challenging situations and do something different from what most others were doing with their lives.
Fun Fact: Bryan’s walk-up song would be Survivor – Eye of the Tiger.
Wes Wood
Served: United States Army
Indy Status: Transplant from Evansville
9-to-5: Leader of the nonprofit INvets that connects transitioning service members, their spouses and veterans with careers, resources and communities across Indiana.
Why did you join the military: I enlisted in the Army after graduating college partially for the adventure of it, but also because I knew that there was a need and I wanted to do my part in serving before I started my civilian career.
Fun Fact: If Wes could see one movie again for the very first time, it would be the new Mad Max.
Be sure to join us and some of the guys above on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11 at 5:30 p.m. as we test your knowledge on Indy History, Military in the movies and more! Our friends from Marion County Office of Veteran Services, Azimuth, and US) of Indiana will be joining us, and we have some amazing prizes including a Sun King Brewing track pack, tickets to an upcoming Colts game with swag, tickets to an upcoming show at The Cabaret, and a Baby’s Indy giftcard.
RSVP in advance to secure your team’s spot and we’ll see you then!
