USI to host 'Remembering Our Fallen' memorial
A nationally touring photo-display honoring military service members who have died from wounds suffered in a war zone since September 11, 2001, is coming to the University of Southern Indiana.
USI will host the "Remembering Our Fallen" war memorial from September 25 to October 1 in the second-floor concourse of the Performance Center. The display, underwritten by Fifth Third Bank, will be open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for October 1 when the exhibit will only be open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. A public opening-ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on September 25. The event will include a presentation by the color guard, the National Anthem, TAPS and remarks by USI President Linda L. M. Bennett and Dwight Hamilton, southern market president for Fifth Third Bank, Greater Indiana.
"Fifth Third has a long-standing commitment to supporting our veterans, who make the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country," said Hamilton. "This wall serves as a solemn reminder of the bravery and honor displayed by these soldiers from across the state."
The "Remembering Our Fallen" memorial visits the hometowns of fallen soldiers, as well as other communities. USI will host the wall specifically dedicated to servicemen and servicewomen from Evansville, as well as the state of Indiana, who have passed.
"We are honored to host the newest memorial and bring this wall to the southern Indiana community, veterans and families of our local fallen," said Joel Matherly, manager of the USI Veteran, Military and Family Resource Center. "The memorial is a healing process and a way for our fallen to live on through our lives and memories."
Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha, Nebraska, created "Remembering Our Fallen" in November 2010. It was built to honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to provide comfort to friends and family of the fallen and to remind others of the tremendous cost paid. Realizing the impact of the first memorial in Nebraska, and with the help of several other sponsors, the Williamses have set a goal of creating memorials for all 50 states, 17 of which are completed and currently represent 50 percent of our country's fallen soldiers.
"A family's greatest fear is that the fallen will be forgotten," said Bill Williams. "We hope the 'Remembering Our Fallen' memorials will educate people of all ages of the tremendous cost paid for our freedom by every generation, and that they will be inspired to remember them and speak their names."
The USI Performance Center is located on University Boulevard adjacent to the University Center East. Free parking and drop off locations are available.
"Remembering Our Fallen" is underwritten by Fifth Third Bank and produced by USI, Easter Seals Crossroads, American Legion Post 324 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1114. For more information on the memorial visit rememberingourfallen.org. For questions about visiting the USI exhibit, contact Joel Matherly at jsmatherly@usi.edu.