Baseball fans in Indianapolis have a new way to pay tribute and remember prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. The city’s ballfield known as Victory Field has dedicated a new “Chair of Honor” as a tangible reminder to never forget those service members who are imprisoned, missing in action, or otherwise have never come home.
“The purpose of these special ‘Chairs of Honor’ is to remind the public that not all Warfighters have come home, and they must not be forgotten,” said MSgt, USAF Ret. Darryle Swartzlander, president of the Indiana chapter of the sponsoring organization, Rolling Thunder Inc., in an interview with Military.com. “We hope to install many more of these special Chairs of Honor throughout Indiana.”
The local organization, Rolling Thunder Inc., commissioned the symbolic chair, which is empty by design, and has a black seat and backrest, as well as stainless steel arms and legs. It is identical to a traditional stadium seat in the stands, except it was installed on a separate platform with a chain-link rope around it for security, and an official “POW/MIA” emblem on the back rest.
There’s also a bronze plaque dedicated to the imprisoned and unaccounted for with the words, “This chair is reserved as a seat of honor that they are not forgotten.”
Swartzlander says Rolling Thunder is dedicated to remembering those service members who are still disconnected from their loved ones and their country because of war.
“Many individuals believe or are under the impression that Rolling Thunder is a Motorcycle Club. But we are not a motorcycle club,” Swartzlander said. “We are a group of Veterans and non-veterans that help bring awareness to the public that we still have warfighters that have not come home.”
On its website, Rolling Thunder has its mission statement posted, noting its major function is to publicize POW-MIA issues.
“To educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all past wars and to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War-Missing In Action,” the statement reads. “We are also committed to helping American veterans from all wars.”
The ‘Chair of Honor’ at Victory Field in Indianapolis is not the city’s first. Chairs are also on display at Gainbridge Fieldhouse where the NBA’s Indiana Pacers play; at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the NFL’S Indianapolis Colts play; and at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the Indy 500 race is held each May.
“I hope [the chair] touches people and maybe they contribute to the cause to keep looking for our missing,” said Michael Dick, in an interview with Military.com. He has an uncle who went missing during the Korean War.
“It’s one thing if your veteran gets killed in action, and you know, and they bring them home,” he said. “But to just disappear like that it’s just devastating. It was devastating to my family.”
Rolling Thunder’s website has a prominent message on display for supporters, benefactors, family members and fans who share the same belief that all soldiers deserve to come home when their tour of duty at war is done.
“ The POW-MIA Chair of Honor will remain empty as a continuous reminder that even though our War-Fighters are not here in body, they are with us in spirit,” the website reads. “There will always be a seat in this stadium until ALL are accounted for.”
The official unveiling of the chair will be at the Indianapolis Indians game vs. the St. Paul Saints starting at 6:05 p.m. April 22, 2026.
