LT. GOV. QUINN UNVEILS RIVETING MEMORIAL FOR ILLINOIS' FALLEN "Portrait of a Soldier" honors the Illinois servicemembers who have given their last full measure of devotion to our democracy

DuQUOIN - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn unveiled the Portrait of a Soldier memorial at the home of Mayor John Rednour of DuQuoin. Portrait of a Soldier is a riveting display of 130 portraits of Illinois soldiers killed in the Global War on Terror.

The portraits were drawn by 22-year old Cameron Schilling of Mattoon, Illinois who is a student at Eastern Illinois University. 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 sacrifice of our fallen heroes."

The Portrait of a Soldier memorial will be on display at the DuQuoin State Fair in the Exhibition Hall from Saturday, August 26 through Labor Day, Monday, September 4.

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.


Portrait of a Soldier

Soldiers from I-72 to I-74 South

NAME DATE KIA HOMETOWN
Jonathan L. Gifford 03/23/2003 Macon
Nicholas Kleiboeker 05/13/2003 Irvington
Cory A. Hubbell 06/25/2003 Urbana
Matthew Bush 08/11/2003 East Alton
William D. Dusenbury 11/15/2003 Fairview Heights
Forest J. Jostes 04/04/2004 Albion
Torrey L. Gray-Stoffel 04/11/2004 Patoka
John E. Tipton 05/02/2004 Collinsville
Jeremy L. Ridlen 05/23/2004 Maroa
Christopher A. Wagener 07/01/2004 Fairview Heights
Christopher Belchik 08/22/2004 Alton
Charles L. Neeley 08/25/2004 Mattoon
Shawna Morrison 09/05/2004 Paris
Charles Lamb 09/05/2004 Casey
Drew M. Uhles 09/15/2004 DuQuoin
Benjamin K. Smith 09/22/2004 Carterville
Ryan Leduc 09/24/2004 Pana
Jessica L. Cawvey 10/06/2004 Paris
Joshua D. Palmer 11/08/2004 Blandinsville
Aaron Pickering 11/08/2004 Harrisburg
Matthew A. Wyatt 12/03/2004 Millstadt
Nathaniel K. Moore 01/26/2005 Champaign
Jacob C. Palmatier 02/24/2005 Springfield
Kenneth L. Ridgley 03/30/2004 Olney
Todd Bracy 03/31/2004 Murphysboro
Wyatt D. Eishenhauer 05/19/2005 Pinckneyville
Brian M. Romines 06/06/2005 Simpson
Gary R. Harper 10/09/2005 Virden
Brian Wright 12/06/2005 Keensburg
Shawn C. Dostie 12/30/2005 Granite City
Jonathan K. Price 01/16/2006 Woodlawn
Edwin H. Dazachacon 02/13/2006 Belleville
Christopher B. Donaldson 05/05/2006 Effingham
Ryan J. Buckley 06/23/2006 Nokomis
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