America’s Gold Star Families

info@americasgoldstarfamilies.org

www.americasgoldstarfamilies.org

MEDIA RELEASE

December 9, 2021

RE: Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor

Contact: Frances Maddox, AGSF Project Chair, 309-825-5121

America’s Gold Star Families together with the Sgt. Anthony Maddox Memorial is proud to sponsor the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor.  Three locations will continue to host the decorated trees, which includes approximately 300 hand crafted ornaments of military service men and women who gave their lives in the defense our nation.

The community is invited to view the trees at each of the following locations.  

1. Peoria River Front Museum, 222 SW Washington St. Peoria, Il
2. Central Illinois Regional Airport, 3201 Cira Dr. Bloomington, Il (Near Baggage Claim)
3. Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Il 62523

Each location will be accessible to the community for viewing the Fallen Hero trees through the end of the holiday season.

• The Fallen Heroes Tree of honor recognizes and honors fallen military soldiers, and represents all branches of service, conflicts, from over 40 states across the USA
• Each ornament includes the rank, name, birth and date of death, branch, and state of the fallen service men and women
• The tree in Peoria stands 14 feet tall, and a picture of the fallen hero is included on each uniquely decorated ornament
• The other two locations host a 9-foot tree, and each ornament features a gold star shaped design with information about each hero

This year will be the 6^th anniversary displaying the 14-foot tree, which has been hosted by the Peoria River Front Museum for the past 4 years.  The Bloomington tree has been hosted at the Central Illinois Regional Airport for 5 years, and 4 years for the Decatur Civic Center.   This will be the second year that a formal dedication and/or Tree lighting Ceremony has not taken place at our designated host locations in our local community.  The past ceremonies have provided Gold Star Families and the community the opportunity to come together, reflect, honor, remember, and never forget the sacrifice of our military heroes that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.     Even though a formal ceremony will not occur again in 2021, we invite the community to visit the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor locations during the holiday season.

America’s Gold Star Families is a 501c3 that provides honor, hope and healing to those grieving any military loss through various programs and services. For more information visit americasgoldstarfamilies.org.

HONOR * HOPE * HEALING