Black Legacy Project of Wayne County is planning its second annual veterans dinner from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. It will be at American Legion Post 65, 109 N. Sixth St., Richmond.
This year’s honorees are Al Armstead, Ron Chappell, Michele Padgette and Harry Leavell.
Organizers say they want to preserve their legacy, celebrate heroes and ensure their stories continue to inspire future generations.
After graduating from RHS in 1958, Armstead joined the Navy and served on active duty until 1987. He served on the USS Midway in a variety of positions, working his way up into accounting and later ran disbursing offices in San Diego, Moffett Field, Navy Finance Center, Seoul (Korea) and Pearl Harbor (Hawaii).
Ron Chappell joined the Army in 1962 and served until 1987, including time with the First Cavalry Division, 82nd Artillery. Chappell is active in the local veteran community and has proudly supported the growth and development of Wayne County Veterans Memorial Park.
Michele Padgette began her Army career in field radio repair before spending a decade in the Idaho Army National Guard. She continues her service as a Wayne County veteran service officer. Two of her three children also served in the military: her daughter in the Idaho Army National Guard and her son in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Born in Richmond, Harry Leavell became one of the first African American pilots in the U.S. Army as a Tuskegee Airman. Upon his return, he graduated from Earlham College and worked with Richmond Fire Department.
Because seats are limited, registration is required at wwn.to/blpvd26.
A donation is requested for the meal, which can be given at the door or online in advance at wwn.to/blpdonate.
In addition, BLP is hosting another free event to celebrate the opening of an exhibit featuring local inventor Gloster John Garrett from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 N. A St., Richmond.
The exhibit showcases Garrett’s resilient spring automobile wheel invented in 1912 to help make vehicle travel more practical and comfortable through rocky terrain. Garrett (1874–1957) worked alongside his brother Herbert C. Garrett, who was also an inventor.
The event is free and open to the public; museum admission will be charged for later visits. Indiana University East is also assisting with the event.
For more information, visit blpwc.org or call 765-969-0673.
A version of this article will appear in the September 2 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.