"Portrait of a Soldier" Memorial Exhibit on Display at Illinois Tollway Oases Through Independence Day

HINSDALE - May 27, 2012.  To commemorate Memorial Day, Governor Pat Quinn today joined officials from the Illinois Tollway to unveil the "Portrait of a Soldier" memorial exhibit at the Hinsdale Oasis and announce the summer exhibit schedule at multiple Tollway Oases in Northern Illinois. Currently, the exhibit features a series of hand-drawn portraits of 288 of the 300 Illinois men and women who have fallen in service to our country since September 11, 2001.

"With 'Portrait of a Soldier,' we pay a special tribute to our state's brave servicemembers who gave their lives to protect our freedom," Governor Quinn said.  "From Memorial Day to Independence Day, visitors to Illinois Tollway Oases will have the opportunity to view the faces and read the names of our state's true heroes who remain in our hearts every day."

The exhibit, on display at the Hinsdale Oasis Friday, May 25 through Sunday, June 3, will then travel to the Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis through Sunday, June 10. The exhibit will also be on display at the Des Plaines, DeKalb, Belvidere and Lake Forest Oases, ending shortly after July 4.

"We are honored to display the portraits of Illinois' remarkable men and women whose bravery serves as an inspiration to us all," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.  "We invite Tollway customers to see this poignant exhibit and join us in commemorating the lives - the sacrifice - of our servicemembers."

Governor Quinn founded the "Portrait of a Soldier" memorial exhibit to honor fallen servicemembers in 2004, when artist Cameron Schilling of Mattoon drew the first portrait of Army Spc. Charles Neeley, also of Mattoon, after he was killed in Iraq.  In October 2005, while a student at Eastern Illinois University, Schilling committed to drawing a portrait of every Illinois servicemember who has fallen during the Global War on Terror.

"Memorial Day is a great opportunity to reflect on and express thanks for the sacrifice that thousands upon thousands of military men and women have made in serving our country," said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Erica Borggren. "This sacred day also reminds us of our shared obligation to honor and remember our fallen heroes and their families."

Governor Quinn has long made commitment to veterans' affairs, servicemembers and their families one of his top priorities throughout his career in public service.  He has led programs including the Illinois Warrior Assistance Program and the Veterans Cash lottery ticket, which has awarded more than $10 million to non-profit organizations across the state that provide health care and post-traumatic stress disorder treatment, housing assistance, disability benefits and other services to Illinois Veterans.

As Lieutenant Governor, Governor Quinn championed the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund Act, establishing a fund to provide grants to families of Illinois National Guard members and Illinois residents serving in the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve components who were called to active duty as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. These grants help service members and their families with the costs of food, housing, utilities, medical services and other expense they struggle to afford because a wage-earner has temporarily left civilian employment to be placed on active military duty.

Governor Quinn launched "Operation Home Front" while he was Illinois State Treasurer to give National Guard members and reservists a tool informing them about their rights during the Gulf War. Today, the Governor has expanded Operation Home Front to be a place where active servicemembers and veterans can learn about the resources available to them and their families, and a place for the public to learn about different ways they can support our troops.

Portrait of a Soldier Memorial Exhibit Schedule

Sunday, May 27 - Sunday, June 3                Hinsdale Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

Monday, June 4 - Sunday, June 10              Chicago Southland Lincoln Oasis (South Holland), Tri-State Tollway (I-294/80)

Monday, June 11 - Sunday, June 17            Des Plaines Oasis, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

Monday, June 18 - Sunday, June 24            DeKalb Oasis, Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)

Monday, June 25 - Sunday, July 1                Belvidere Oasis, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

Monday, July 2 - Sunday, July 8                    Lake Forest Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-94)

NOTE: Beginning June 4 -- the exhibit will open at noon on Mondays at each oasis, and for the rest of the week during the dates listed above, will remain open 24/7.

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

About the Illinois Tollway

Washington, DC - Today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement on Memorial Day:

"This weekend, families all over the country will gather to honor the brave men and women who have fought for our country and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Memorial Day always brings back memories of my father, who was just 17 when he fought the battle on Iwo Jima, but this year is even more personal. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to visit Iwo Jima with several veterans. It was a moving and memorable experience, and I was so honored to pay my respects to all who fought in that historic battle 67 years ago. As a veteran, my father taught me to take pride in America's values and fight for my beliefs. From him, my family learned of the struggles and challenges facing members of the military and their families when they come home from war. Although this weekend we honor our fallen soldiers, we must also remember our military heroes and their families every day. We must work hard to make sure that they have the care and support they need not only when they're on the front lines, but also when they come home. We owe that to them and their families.

This Memorial Day weekend, I keep all of our fallen heroes and their families in my thoughts. And I extend my deepest thanks to our veterans and their families. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your bravery."

Summer Reading starts Monday, June 4 at all Rock Island Libraries, and with themes such as Reading is So Delicious, Feed Your Mind: READ and Books are Brain Food, the library is cooking up a summer stacked high with fun and reading.

The library is "serving up" food-themed reading contests and more than 103 events for children, teens and adults. Activities begin Monday, June 4, with reading logs and entries due back to the library by Friday, July 27.

To see the entire list of events, see "Summer @ Your Library" on the library website.

Summer Reading events and prizes sponsored by Friends of the Rock Island Public Library, Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District (Southwest Branch events) and the Rock Island Public Library Foundation (summer art and drama.)