They are the ones that gave the most with ther lives. They are the Heros of the world
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="99%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="99%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2006
</TD><TD align=right><SCRIPT language=JavaScript> document.write('<INPUT type="Button" name="Print" value="Printer Friendly Version" onClick="PrintPR();">'); </SCRIPT> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><CENTER>QUINN UNVEILS “PORTRAIT OF A SOLDIER” MEMORIAL Special Memorial Day Tribute to the Illinois servicemembers who have given their last full measure of devotion to our democracy
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<TABLE align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle colSpan=2></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left></TD><TD align=left width="100%">CHICAGO—Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier memorial – a riveting display of 124 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.
Dozens of Gold Star families from Illinois were on hand to view 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.”
The Portrait of a Soldier memorial will be on display on the ground level at the James R. Thompson Center through Tuesday, May 30 at 5:00 p.m.
Quinn was also joined by Command Sgt. Major Michele Jones. CSM Jones is the highest-ranking enlisted woman in the Army. She is the first woman and the first African-American to hold the rank of CSM. Lisa Moeller, President of the USO was also in attendance.
For more information on Portrait of a Soldier, visit www.OperationHomefront.org (http://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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