Remembering Our Fallen pays tribute to those who died serving our country

Posted May 30, 2022 6:00 am

Susan Klovstad

The recent Remembering Our Fallen memorial in Arlington Heights paid tribute to U.S. military personnel who have died in service since Sept. 11, 2001. Courtesy of John Lampinen

On Memorial Day, we honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice - giving their life in service to our country.

The Remembering Our Fallen memorial was displayed May 12-15 at North School Park in Arlington Heights. It featured the photos of approximately 5,000 U.S. military nationwide who perished in service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021. Courtesy of John Lampinen

The Remembering Our Fallen traveling photographic war memorial, which was on display May 12-15 at North School Park in Arlington Heights, displayed the photos of approximately 5,000 U.S. military nationwide who perished in service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021, during the Global War on Terror.

The memorial was hosted by the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree of Northern Illinois and the village's Veterans Memorial Committee.

John Lampinen, the Daily Herald's former editor-in-chief, visited Remembering Our Fallen and took photos of all the suburban servicemen who were featured in the display. Over the next week, we will share some of these images.

The recent Remembering Our Fallen memorial in Arlington Heights, hosted by the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree of Northern Illinois and the village's Veterans Memorial Committee, paid tribute to U.S. military personnel who have died in service since Sept. 11, 2001. Courtesy of John Lampinen

For the family members of those who've lost loved ones, the pain of those losses is always present.

"For a Gold Star family, every day is Memorial Day," said Jean Harris, who regularly interacts with other parents as northern Illinois coordinator for Survivor Outreach Services, a support organization for families of fallen soldiers.

Harris' stepson, Army Sgt. Joshua William Harris of Forest Park, died in 2008 after his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

The recent Remembering Our Fallen memorial in Arlington Heights paid tribute to U.S. military personnel who have died in service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Aug. 30, 2021, during the Global War on Terror. Courtesy of John Lampinen

"This display brings to the general public the faces and names of the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country," Harris said. "Some people may see a familiar face staring back at them, or recognize the names they are reading. Others can tell personal stories about the soldiers on the display from childhood or from a more current time. Either way, (the exhibit) brings them to life by not letting them be forgotten and their names to continue being said."

For information on Remembering Our Fallen and Patriotic Productions, the nonprofit organization that created the display, visit www.patrioticproductions.org.

• Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek contributed to this report.

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