Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay stands with an arm around Retired Fire Chief Larry McCord at a Indy Honor Flight reception held on Saturday April 15th, 2023. Chief Lay is Dresses in his Class A fire Deparment uniform. Chief McCord in dressed in his Indy Honor Flight Polo shirt and is wearing a Vietnam Veteran Ball Cap.

Chief Andy Lay and Chief (Ret.) Larry McCord

Past and present members of the Columbus Fire Department honored a former Columbus Fire Chief who was selected as an Indy Honor Flight recipient. Many of those in attendance also served as Chief Officers for the Columbus Fire Department.

On Saturday, April 15, 2023, Chief (Ret.) Larry McCord traveled to Washington D.C. to visit the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial with Indy Honor Flight. Indy Honor Flight is a not-for-profit organization that honors veterans by providing a free trip to our nation’s capital to allow military veteran an opportunity to see their respective memorial.

Larry McCord joined the Columbus Fire Department in 1964 after serving in the United States Navy. McCord was named Chief of the Department in 1987 and served in that role until his retirement in 1992. At a reception following the Saturday evening return flight, members of the Columbus Fire Department gathered at the Plainfield IN. High School to welcome Chief McCord home. In addition to current Columbus Fire Chief, Chief Andy Lay, four retired firefighters attended the reception. Those in attendance included Captain (Ret.) Doug Hollenbeck; who also served as Deputy Chief during his career, Battalion Chief (Ret.) Russ Hollinger, Battalion Chief (Ret.) Larry Whitlock, and Firefighter (Ret.) John Goddard.

The Indy Honor Flight is a one-day trip to Washington D.C. where veterans will see their respective memorial. Veterans also travel to Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial and experience a driving tour of historical buildings and sites in Downtown D.C. Veterans are selected for the Indy Honor Flight through the Indy Honor Flight application process.