Press Release - Tuesday, September 19, 2006
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RIVETING MEMORIAL FOR ILLINOIS' FALLEN UNVEILED AT ROCKFORD'S HISTORIC MEMORIAL HALL
(ROCKFORD) - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier memorial - a riveting display of 132 portraits of Illinois soldiers killed in the Global War on Terror.
Quinn was joined by the following Illinois Gold Star families: Leah Garrison of Fort Byron, David Petsche of Lena, Ronald Slavenas of Genoa, and Gail Naschansky and Allen Patten of Byron. All four families have lost a son in service to our country.
Army SGT Landis W. Garrison of Rapids City, Illinois died April 29, 2004 in Abu Gharb, Iraq of non-combat related injuries. He was 23 years old.
Marine Lance CPL Neil D. Petsche of Lena, Illinois died December 21, 2004 due to injuries received in a non-hostile vehicle incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. He was 21 years old.
Army 1st LT Brian Slavenas of Genoa, Illinois died on November 2, 2003 in Iraq when a missile struck his CH-47 helicopter while he transported troops. He was 30 years old.
Marine Lance CPL Andrew Patten of Byron, Illinois died December 1, 2005 from an improvised explosive device while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq. He was 19 years old.
Patten, a 2004 graduate of Byron High School, was honored last week with a memorial at Byron Cemetery.
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.
Portrait of a Soldier will be on display at Memorial Hall, one of the oldest memorials to American war veterans. Dedicated in 1903 by President Teddy Roosevelt, Memorial Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an Illinois Historical Landmark.
"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 Portrait of a Soldier at Memorial Hall, a perfect venue to honor the heroes who have defended democracy."
Quinn was also joined by Terry Dyer, Curator of Memorial Hall and a direct descendant of a Civil War veteran.
The Portrait of a Soldier memorial will be on display at Memorial Hall through Friday, September 22, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Wednesday, September 20, the exhibit will be open to the public until 8:00 p.m.
For more information on Portrait of a Soldier, visit www.OperationHomefront.org. With more than 17.6 million hits, it's one of the country's most informative websites on supporting our troops.
PORTRAIT OF A SOLDIER
ROCKFORD AREA
|
NAME |
DATE KIA |
HOMETOWN |
|
Scott M. Tyrell |
11/14/2003 |
Forreston |
|
Branden P. Ramey |
11/08/2004 |
Belvidere |
|
Andrew G. Patten |
12/01/2005 |
Byron |
|
Brian Slavenas |
11/02/2003 |
Genoa |
|
Neil D. Petsche |
12/12/2004 |
Lena |
|
Christopher Ramirez |
04/14/2004 |
Rockford |
|
Brandon Rowe |
03/31/2003 |
Roscoe |
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