This November, America’s Gold Star Families, Inc., in collaboration with the Sgt. Anthony Maddox Memorial, invites the public to honor fallen military service members at the annual Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor events. These heartfelt ceremonies will be held at three locations in Central Illinois:
Bloomington: Friday, November 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM at the Central Illinois Regional Airport, 3201 Cira Dr.
Peoria: Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St.
Decatur: Friday, November 29, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the Decatur Civic Center, 1 Gary K Anderson Plaza.
During each event, Gold Star families—those who have lost a loved one in military service—will hang personalized ornaments on the Fallen Heroes Tree in honor of their loved ones. Each ornament bears the rank, name, date of birth and death, branch of service, and home state of the fallen hero. These commemorative ornaments reflect the bravery and sacrifice of service members who gave their lives while on active duty.
After the official ceremony, the broader community is invited to help place additional ornaments and witness the lighting of the tree. The gathering provides a moment of reflection and unity as participants come together to celebrate the lives of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Each location will feature a beautifully lit tree: Bloomington and Decatur will host 9-foot trees, while Peoria will display a larger 14-foot tree, which holds the distinction of being the first tree dedicated to the Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor project. The Peoria tree’s ornaments will include photos of the heroes, further personalizing their tribute.
To date, the initiative has collected over 400 unique hero ornaments representing fallen service members from all branches of the military and from over 40 states. These ornaments will be displayed on the trees throughout the holiday season for public viewing, offering a lasting tribute to the nation’s heroes.
The Fallen Heroes Tree of Honor events provide an opportunity for healing and hope for Gold Star families, particularly during the holiday season, which can be a difficult time of remembrance. The program serves to bring comfort to grieving families, recognizing their loved ones’ sacrifices while inviting the community to show support.
These events are made possible through donations to America’s Gold Star Families, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families who have experienced military loss. To learn more or to donate, visit www.americasgoldstarfamilies.org.
About America’s Gold Star Families
America’s Gold Star Families is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers support to families grieving the loss of a military service member. The organization serves families from all branches of the military and across all conflicts.
