Military

State’s Traveling ‘Portrait of a Soldier’ Exhibits to Visit Chicago Area and Downstate Locations During September


SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–September 4, 2012.  The Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) is announcing that traveling versions of the state’s “Portrait of a Soldier” memorial exhibit will be touring Illinois during September.

“Portrait of a Soldier” features hand-sketched portraits of approximately 300 fallen Illinois service members who have been killed since the start of the Global War on Terrorism, which began on September 11, 2001.

Upcoming events and locations include:

 Saturday, Sept. 8th (Portrait of a Soldier viewing for one-day only)

SrA Bradley Smith Memorial Silver Star Ceremony (begins at 8 a.m.)
Tri-Township Park, 409 Collinsville Road, Troy, IL 62294
For more event information, please email: [email protected]

• Sunday, Sept. 9th (Portrait of a Soldier viewing for one-day only)

6th Annual Kevin Clarke Memorial Ride (from 7 a.m-10 a.m.)
American Legion Post 615, 17423 67th Court, Tinley Park, IL 60477
For more event information, please visit www.heartofamarine.org

• Tuesday, Sept. 11th through Monday, Sept. 24th

Veterans Tribute Concert (from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Sept. 11th only; Portrait of a Soldier viewing through Sept. 24th)
Kaskaskia College LLC, 27210 College Rd., Centralia, IL  62801
For more event information, please email: [email protected]

Chicago Public Library
Archer Heights Branch, 5055 South Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL  60632
For more event information, please call (312) 747-9241

Mattoon Artist Cameron Schilling drew the first portrait in August 2004, after Army SPC Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, was killed in Iraq. Schilling gave the sketch to SPC Neeley’s parents to convey his sympathy for their loss. In October 2005, while a student at Eastern Illinois University, Schilling decided to draw a portrait of every Illinois service member who has fallen during the Global War on Terrorism.

For more information on the “Portrait of a Soldier” exhibit or to view the portraits online, please visit www.OperationHomefront.org.  

Source: illinois.gov


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