Press Release - Friday, June 30, 2006
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LT. GOV. QUINN UNVEILS "PORTRAIT OF A SOLDIER" EXHIBIT Special 4th of July Tribute to the Illinois servicemembers who have given their last full measure of devotion to our democracy
SPRINGFIELD - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier memorial - a riveting display of 130 portraits of Illinois soldiers killed in the Global War on Terror. Quinn was joined by the artist, 22-year old Cameron Schilling of Mattoon, Illinois who is a student at Eastern Illinois University.
Quinn was also joined by Gold Star parents Linda Morrison, mother of Army Staff Sgt. Gary Harper of Virden, Illinois; Peter Wehrly, father of Army SFC Kyle Wehrly of Galesburg, Illinois; Vicky Langley, mother of Marine PVT Jonathan Gifford of Macon, Illinois; and Hazel Henry, mother of Air Force Lt. Colonel John Stein of Bardolph, Illinois. Gold Star families viewed these portraits for the first time.
Schilling drew his first portrait sketch in August 2004 after Spc. Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, was killed in Iraq. Schilling gave the portrait sketch to Spc. Neeley's parents to convey his sympathy for their loss.
In October 2005, Schilling decided to memorialize every fallen Illinois soldier. Schilling called his endeavor "Portrait of a Soldier" and set up a not-for-profit website of the same name where families could contact him and receive a portrait of their loved one.
As full-time college student at Eastern Illinois University, this massive project was Schilling's way to help Illinois Gold Star families and serve his country.
"The Portrait of a Soldier memorial is a moving tribute to men and women who have given their last full measure of devotion to our democracy," Quinn said. "I commend Cameron Schilling for making sure our fallen military heroes live forever in our memory. I encourage everyone to come see the Portrait of a Soldier memorial and honor the fallen this Fourth of July weekend."
The Portrait of a Soldier memorial will be on display at the Old State Capitol through Friday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m.
For more information on Portrait of a Soldier, visit www.OperationHomefront.org. With more than 17 million hits, it's one of the country's most informative websites on supporting our troops.
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