Portrait of a SOLDIER

During the week of September 11^th, there was a terrific exhibition at the Belleville Campus of Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) … the Portrait of a Soldier memorial exhibition.  This exhibition, which has been viewed by thousands of people in more than 35 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.

These black and white sketches are very expressive.  Some of the military members are smiling, eyes twinkling, while other are very somber … but all of them make you feel like you know them.  They could be your neighbor. 

The exhibition became even more personal as I read the notes that had been pasted on the portraits … notes from friends, notes from parents … notes that told of pride in the military person.  Some families had pasted photographs on the portraits … photos of the fallen hero at home and photos of the fallen hero with their child.  These military members may have passed on but they are still very alive in the hearts of their family, their friends, and their nation.

These “soldiers” were from all over Illinois and some were from our own community … Alton, Belleville, DuQuoin, East Alton, Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Granite City, Irvington, Millstadt, O’Fallon, and Pinckneyville.

Artist Cameron Shilling, 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 service member who has fallen during the Global War on Terror.

Schilling and a friend have now established Portrait of a Soldier as a nonprofit organization.  You can go to their website www.portraitofasoldier.org to view all of the sketches.

When this exhibition comes again (time unknown), I hope you see it in person.  You will be moved.

                                                                                      KIM DALRYMPLE