A special display honoring those in the military from Illinois who have died in service to their country since 2001 is on exhibit at the Home Depot store in Geneva through Memorial Day, thanks to the work of Robert and Mary Patterson of North Aurora, whose son Christopher was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012.
The tribute wall sponsored by the Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation was put together on Wednesday at the store at 2111 S. Randall Road.
The wall honors more than 200 Illinois residents who have died serving their country in the military since 2001, including Christopher Alexander Patterson, 20, a graduate of West Aurora High School who was killed in action on Jan. 6, 2012, while serving in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan.
Chris’ parents Robert and Mary Patterson, who each serve as board members of the Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation, coordinated the effort at the Home Depot.
Robert Patterson, 66, said the display has been used before “in the Aurora Memorial Day parade a few years ago and has been sitting in the garage ever since.”
“My wife works here at the Home Depot and asked the store manager if we could do this and he said sure,” he said of the special display.
“There are over 200 pictures representing all of Illinois’ lost veterans (since 2001),” he said. “We wanted to do a public display because you can never display this enough.”
Mary Patterson confirmed she approached management at the Home Depot store about adding the display and was told her employers were all in.
“We call this the ‘Wall of Fallen’ and we wanted to put it up for Memorial Day,” she said. “As a Gold Star mom, all you hear about is Memorial Day and sales and ‘Happy Memorial Day.’ There’s nothing happy about Memorial Day. It’s a day of remembrance and too many people have forgotten that. So, by putting this up, maybe the people shopping here or looking for deals or what-not and getting ready for their summer will remember what the day is about.”
Robert Patterson agreed that despite there being more of an emphasis on recognizing those who have served in the military these days, “people still lose sight of what Memorial Day is about.”
“There are all these Facebook things but for many people Memorial Day is about the first day of summer and getting the barbecue out, which is fine. But for those grilling or having a drink, remember why you’re able to do that,” he said. “We just think it’s important to put faces to something.
“It’s not just our son – it’s all of those in Illinois who have fallen since 2001,” he said of the display.
The Pattersons were joined in setting up the display by Dave Gier of Crestwood, who is a member of the board of the Chris Patterson Memorial Foundation.
Together, they said their hope is those viewing the photos will “come away with a newfound respect for their freedoms.”
“It was important to put names with faces and recognize the conflicts we’ve been through,” Gier said.
“We need to pray to God there are no more names added to this board,” he said. “It’s been quite a while since a name has been added. As far as exposure – this needs to be here. People hopefully will stop and look at it and hopefully have an impact.”
Rhoda Engstrom of Batavia stopped to look at the board while shopping with her husband Jim on Wednesday.
“This is a wonderful idea. For those of us who can’t go to Washington, D.C., and see the big memorials this is one right here for us and there are local people which makes it that much more meaningful,” she said. “My husband is a veteran too.”
“I was in the Army during the Vietnam War and did not have to serve there but was elsewhere but I think this is a wonderful tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” Jim Engstrom said. “More recognition for veterans wouldn’t hurt … this is a great reminder of what happened.”
Larry Ganet of Aurora likewise stopped to look at what he called “a wonderful project” and said his father was a veteran.
“I just think we need to be aware and never forget all the people and the young men and women who give their lives for us in this country,” he said. “Here in the front of a Home Depot store – it’s great. There will be a lot of people shopping here over the weekend and seeing this. I’m a big believer in the military and the service they provide.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
