Jack Brunetto, Bill Roper, Robert Osbun, Kathy Ginter and April Slone were recipients of the four Kosciusko County Democrat Salute to Service Awards Saturday.
Kelly Thompson also announced she has formed a committee to explore the idea of running to represent in Congress “all the people in the Third District in Indiana.”
Each year the county Democrats recognize individuals with the Dale Tucker, Opal Miller, Volunteer and Salute to Service awards. Additionally, for the second time since 2022, the Trailblazer Award was presented.
Jayne Brunetto, Jack Brunetto's widow, accepted the Dale Tucker Award in his memory. Brunetto died Aug. 22, 2024. Vicki Morton, county party chair, presented the award, noting prior to Brunetto becoming the party's treasurer, he was a Big Brother from the time his Little was in second grade until he finished high school. He served on the Warsaw Plan Commission for several years before “he inadvertently moved out the city limits, across the street.” He ran for Warsaw City Council and in preparation he attended every city council meeting for over a year.
“Jack and his wife Jayne were frequent sponsors of the Salute to Service dinner and the Lilly boat ride. This award is in recognition to Jack's service to the community. Thank you Jayne for sharing Jack with us,” stated Morton.
Prior to the award presentation, Griffin Tucker, grandson of former Warsaw Mayor Dale Tucker, spoke about his grandfather.
“I just want to say he was a great man, great human being who served his community and served his country. There's so many things that I could say that he's done … for me he was a war hero … probably the best mayor this city has ever seen in my opinion. I still hear stories now … finding people homes, finding people jobs. He did a lot for the community.”
Roper was the recipient of the Opal Miller Award, which has been presented since 2017. Robert Osbun, vice chair, stated Roper has always been ready and willing to help where needed. Roper and his wife, Susan, worked early voting for the last two general elections and served as alternates on Election day. Osbun stated he was able to know Roper through the many Third Friday events that he worked, as well as through canvasing in North Webster, Warsaw and Winona Lake.

    Kosciusko County Democrat Chairman Vicki Morton (L) is shown with Salute to Service dinner keynote speaker Sen. J.D. Ford and Kelly Thompson, who announced her intention to seek election for the Congressional District 3 seat. Photo by Deb Patterson, InkFreeNews
  

Osbun stated Roper was fearless, handled rejection and wore good shoes.
“I learned a lot canvassing with Bill.” Osbun stated. “Bill was really good at engaging people and talking about the issues.” He talked of how Roper would participate in parades and while the others had completed the route, Roper would be somewhere along the route, still connecting with people and holding deep conversations.
Osbun was the recipient of the second Trailblazer Award. Lori Camp and Brian Smith presented the award. Camp called Osbun the Energizer Bunny and someone who always has your back. She shared how he energized her during her campaign for the 2nd District Congressional seat in 2024 and could “make you happy that you are where you are. … I will never ever be able to thank him enough for what he did for my campaign and I am so glad to call him my friend.”
Smith, 2nd District party chairman, stated he discovered his neighbor Osbun in 2020 as he was driving down the road and saw another Biden sign in a yard. As district party chair he noted having to travel various places in the districts 11 counties. “He was willing to go with me. It is nice to have someone in the car on the way there and the way back, so I'm not by myself all the time. I really appreciate that, his willingness to go anywhere any time … we are so grateful for his energy and his willingness to do anything that we ask him.”
Ginter was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award by Morton. Ginter was recognized for her willingness to help deliver campaign signs all over the county, and just when she thought she was done, would deliver more signs. “She was a tremendous help,” said Morton. “I thank you.”
Slone, director of The Beaman Home, received the Salute to Service Award. Jama Brown presented the award. Brown spoke of what The Beaman Home is about and that Slone has been “a dedicated staff member with the organization, a case manager, interim director and now director. She's weathered staff funding and board turnover … and literally raising the roof to the tune of $85,000 recently, all the while keeping an infectious, positive attitude. Every time we volunteer at The Beaman Home … April's been there to greet us with a smile and a hug and a little bit of a joke. Kosciusko County is lucky that she has chosen us … even more so those she's served in their time of need.”
Slone briefly spoke about the history of The Beaman Home, where it was and where it is at today. “I want to thank Kosciusko County Democrats for coming into Beaman Home and showing our clients that they're seen. That they’re part of the community.” She noted party volunteers have been coming in for years for a Halloween Party and this past year for Christmas.
Keynote Speaker
Sen. J.D. Ford, representing District 29, was the keynote speaker. In is introduction, Don Guthrie noted Ford was elected a minority caucus chair, appointed to serve as ranking member on a number of important committees including education, veterans affairs and family and children services. It was noted Ford is the first, and so far only, openly LGBT+ member of the Indiana General Assembly and one of the youngest members of the Indiana Senate.
Ford talked about his experience in running for Senate in 2014, 2018 and 2022. His first try experienced a defeat by 2,000 votes.
“The hardest thing to do was to tell my friends and family I didn't make it,” he said.
He won the 2018 election, defeating a seated Republican incumbent. But he shared his apprehensions, how everything was thrown at him, but he kept going back to those he heard in 2014 and taking actions on those stories. The day he won the election was his 36th birthday. He noted while 2022 was a tough election, he did win.
He encouraged fellow Democrats to pay attention to what is happening and to contact elected officials.
“Change doesn't happen overnight,” he stated pointing out he was the first Democrat to defeat a sitting Senator in 40 years and the first Democrat in Hamilton County to win since 1912. He stated Kosciusko County was known as the most Republican county in the state. But that is not true any more as the score is now 92-63. “Each election we continue to inch closer.”
He shared details of the recent General Assembly session, which he said was by far the most toughest session. He spoke of a few bills, last minute additions, changes, and how the Democrats held the floor for 3½ hours questioning the passage of specific bills and holes in other bills. “The House Democrats and Senate Democrats, we gave it our all. There were some wins, some defeats … know you guys had our backs.”
He stated he is a Hoosier by choice. He still has a desire for the Democrats to regain the state. He stated Democrats are the party that listens, takes facts over fear and believe health care is a right. “We don't believe diversity is something to fear … change is coming in 2026 … We should be voting in every election. Republicans win when we don't show up.”
Leading Up To Announcement
Thompson, who ran against Curtis Nisly in 2020 for State Rep. District 22, talked about what it means to be a candidate, how candidates need support and what it costs to run in an election, prior to making her announcement of her intentions.
She encouraged potential candidates to not be scared and that there was a need to have a candidate who is close to the people. “For too long there has been people in power who have not felt the pain of the people in this county. What happens when you elect people to power who have felt the pain is they stop blaming the people who are feeling the pain.”
She also encouraged the sharing of a candidate's message, not to be scared about it and to send them to the candidate.
Thompson stated it is the 1% who are really rich that the party is fighting against right now and how those people are trying to divide the public. “Remember your neighbors that voted differently than you, are not your enemy. They are not who we're fighting against.”