Veterans at HC+M: Built to Serve, Driven to Lead
Heritage Construction + Materials (HC+M) proudly honors the service and sacrifice of military veterans – culture rooted in integrity, resilience, and commitment—values that closely align with those developed through military service. Below are stories from veterans across Asphalt Materials Inc., Milestone Contractors, Evergreen Roadworks, and US Aggregates—divisions of HC+M—highlighting how their military experience continues to influence their leadership and success in the construction and materials industry.
A Sanctuary for Veterans
The Healing Fields
Every September since 1987, thousands of veterans from across the country have gathered at the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization (HCVVO) campground in Indiana — a sacred 39-acre space known as The Healing Fields. This short documentary captures the emotional journey of veterans who return to this place to find peace, connection and healing from the scars of war.
Established in 1981, the HCVVO hosts the country’s oldest Annual Veterans Reunion. From Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans share their stories of trauma, resilience and brotherhood. The Healing Fields is more than a campground — it's a sanctuary where ashes are laid to rest, tears are shed and hearts begin to mend.
But the journey hasn’t always been easy. Dusty, deteriorating roads made access difficult, especially for those with respiratory conditions. Thanks to a generous collaboration between the Howard County Highway Department and Heritage Construction + Materials companies — including Asphalt Materials, Milestone™ Contractors and US Aggregates® — the Healing Fields received a much-needed transformation. Over 15,000 square yards of roadway were chip- and fog-sealed, reducing dust and making the grounds safer and more accessible.
This video honors the spirit of service — not just of the veterans but of the community that came together to support them. As one veteran says, “It’s lifesaving.”
A special ‘thank you’ to The Heritage Group for capturing this beautiful story!
To learn more about the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Organization, visit www.hcvvo.net.
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Veterans Wave the Flag at the Indianapolis Colts Game
Salute to Service
Veterans across the Heritage Family were asked to participate in the Indianapolis Colts annual Salute to Service pre-game flag ceremony on November 26, 2023. A home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to commemorate them and their families.
In 2024, Sales Manager John Masterson of US Aggregates and Ben Hardy went to a Colts game to watch the flag ceremony when they came up with the idea to see if The Heritage Group would make this a community event. Hundreds of veterans and their families helped wave the American flag during the national anthem for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers.
A complete field-length 1,200-pound flag is unfurled as part of the pre-game ritual. The coordinated actions of hundreds of volunteers are needed to accomplish this task. Ben and John worked with Strategic Experiences Director Sara Morris to plan this enormous event. With the assistance of a special event committee, formal invitations were sent to all Heritage employees who qualified as veterans over a few months. T-shirts were designed and ordered, transportation was arranged, and day-of plans were assembled to keep attendees excited and entertained.
“I’ve never worked for such a good company that honors our military veterans in this way. It’s just very humbling and an honor to be part of this event and work for Heritage,” said Brian Frank, Transport Driver for Heritage Transport, LLC, and United States Navy veteran.
Our Heritage family’s dedication to helping veterans is a bright example of how we continue to improve our society, giving those who bravely served our country life-changing experiences.
Check out some of our Veterans below.
Watch
Julie Mackey, AMI Veteran
Ethan Shireman, Milestone Veteran
Dennis Justice, AMI Veteran
Tom Proctor, Open Road Paving Veteran
Sherri Thompson, Milestone Veteran
Zeb Swan, HC+M Veteran
Ryan Wells, Open Road Paving Veteran
Lonnie Mock, US Aggregates Veteran