Remembering Our Fallen National Exhibit

August 2 – August 11 at the Indiana State Fair

Remembering Our Fallen is a photographic war memorial that honors our country’s military who have fallen from The War on Terror since September 11, 2001. Unlike brick and mortar memorials, Remembering Our Fallen is designed to travel and includes both military and personal photos honoring the men and women who lost their lives for our country.

The memorial was created by Bill and Evonne Williams. The Williams’ hope was to honor the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, to provide comfort to friends and family of our fallen and to remind others of the tremendous cost paid by some. The inspiration for this project came from a story in the Omaha World-Herald about a father whose pain and grief were even greater four years after his son had died in Iraq because he felt his son had been forgotten…and the war was not even over.

To that end, Bill and Evonne decided to do something about it. In November 2010, with the backing of the Omaha World-Herald newspaper and financial support of several sponsors, including Bellevue University, Bill and Evonne created the traveling photo memorial. This memorial included photos of the fallen who had died since September 11, 2001, and called Nebraska home. Over the next few years the Williams decided to create memorials for other states as well.

After completing 19 state memorials, the focus shifted to one National Memorial to encompass the fallen from across the country. This national memorial was unveiled in September 2017 at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., and continues to tour the nation (schedule here), giving Americans across the country the opportunity to honor our fallen.

The National Remembering Our Fallen is scheduled at the Indiana State Fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on August 2 through August 11. This is the first time that the national exhibit has been in Indiana. Visitors will help fulfill the purpose of the exhibit in that a Gold Star’s family eternal hope is that their loved ones will never be forgotten.

Indiana Remembering Our Fallen

In the Spring of 2015, the Williams sought to find a host for the Remembering Our Fallen from Indiana. Easterseals Crossroads Veteran Services stepped in and has been honored to host the Indiana exhibit and tour with it.

The Indiana Remembering Our Fallen can be scheduled within our state for display. Buzz Smith, who manages the display, can deliver, set up and take down the indoor display.

“Our hope for the Indiana exhibit is that people will never take their freedom for granted and know that they are being protected at all costs. Hoosiers should feel safer knowing that there are many more of these heroes all around the world that have given up everything so that we can feel safe at home,” said Buzz.

Easterseals Crossroads helps veterans in our community who are battling housing issues and reintegration back into the workforce. By hosting this memorial, Easterseals Crossroads is also supporting the families of our heroes. It is important that our veteran families know that we remember and we are here to help.