By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal staff | Monday, July 13, 2009
Chaplain Lynn Wilson didn't want history to repeat itself.
Marching in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication in Pierre, and later seeing the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., he was bothered by the fact that in both cases, it was decades after the last soldier returned home from war before the dead were formally honored.
"It takes us so long to do these kinds of things," said Wilson, who is with the South Dakota National Guard. "Why does it take us so long?"
Wilson, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, was also well aware that for dozens of South Dakota families who have lost soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past six years, the wounds are still fresh. Nightly news of the war is personal for families who have paid a huge price.
Wilson wanted to do something to show those families that South Dakotans remember their sacrifice. "What could we do in addition to show how much we care about them, that we love them?" he asked.
Looking for ideas, Wilson contacted the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization of women who have lost a son or daughter in the service of country. The result was the Fallen Heroes project, which is creating 3- by 6-foot banners in honor of South Dakota soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The banners, designed and made in Sioux Falls, are light blue with stars and stripes. Each banner includes the soldier's name, birthdate, hometown, the unit he served with, and when and where he died. Each banner also includes a photo of the soldier selected by his family.
Family members will be honored at a private memorial ceremony Saturday, Aug. 8, at the South Dakota State Capitol Rotunda, where the banners will be unveiled. Families will be greeted by the American Legion Riders, Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard.
But all South Dakotans are invited to attend a reception immediately after the ceremony at 3 p.m. CDT in the Capitol Visitors Center in Pierre. After 3 p.m., the banners will be on display on the first floor of the South Dakota State Capitol.
Chaplain Lynn Wilson didn't want history to repeat itself.
Marching in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial dedication in Pierre, and later seeing the World War II memorial in Washington, D.C., he was bothered by the fact that in both cases, it was decades after the last soldier returned home from war before the dead were formally honored.
"It takes us so long to do these kinds of things," said Wilson, who is with the South Dakota National Guard. "Why does it take us so long?"
Wilson, who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, was also well aware that for dozens of South Dakota families who have lost soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past six years, the wounds are still fresh. Nightly news of the war is personal for families who have paid a huge price.
Wilson wanted to do something to show those families that South Dakotans remember their sacrifice. "What could we do in addition to show how much we care about them, that we love them?" he asked.
Looking for ideas, Wilson contacted the American Gold Star Mothers, an organization of women who have lost a son or daughter in the service of country. The result was the Fallen Heroes project, which is creating 3- by 6-foot banners in honor of South Dakota soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The banners, designed and made in Sioux Falls, are light blue with stars and stripes. Each banner includes the soldier's name, birthdate, hometown, the unit he served with, and when and where he died. Each banner also includes a photo of the soldier selected by his family.
Family members will be honored at a private memorial ceremony Saturday, Aug. 8, at the South Dakota State Capitol Rotunda, where the banners will be unveiled. Families will be greeted by the American Legion Riders, Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard.
But all South Dakotans are invited to attend a reception immediately after the ceremony at 3 p.m. CDT in the Capitol Visitors Center in Pierre. After 3 p.m., the banners will be on display on the first floor of the South Dakota State Capitol.
