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Office of Governor Pat Quinn
Riveting Memorial for Illinois' Fallen Soldiers


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RIVETING MEMORIAL FOR ILLINOIS' FALLEN SOLDIERS

(LITCHFIELD) - On Friday, March 7, at 4:30 p.m., Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn will unveil the Portrait of a Soldier memorial exhibition at City Hall, 120 E Ryder Street, Litchfield.  The memorial exhibition, which has been viewed by thousands of people in more than 25 cities and towns throughout Illinois, is a series of hand-drawn portraits of more than 180 Illinois men and women who have died in service to our country since September 11, 2001.

Portrait of a Soldier will be on display Friday, March 7 through Friday, March 14.  The memorial exhibition will be open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"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 encourage everyone to come see the Portrait of a Soldier tribute and honor the memory of these fallen heroes."

Quinn will be joined by members of local Gold Star families including: Lynn and Jim Lenker, mother and stepfather of Marine Cpl. Christopher Belchik (Alton); Sally and Russell Nation, mother and stepfather of Army Cpl. Ryan Buckley (Hillsboro); Victoria Langley, mother of Marine Pvt. Jonathan L. Gifford (Decatur); Debbie Costello Rantanen and Regi Rantanen, mother and stepfather of Army Cpl. Jeremiah Costello (Carlinville); and Randy Bush, father of Army Pvt. Matthew Bush (East Alton).

Artist Cameron Schilling, 24, of Mattoon, 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 servicemember who has fallen during the Global War on Terror.

Quinn will also be joined by Litchfield Mayor Tom Jones; State Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D-Carlinville); State Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Gillespie); and retired Navy Captain Andy Ritchie, who serves as the Litchfield City Administrator.