Traveling Iraq War Memorial in West Hartford

Governor Rell Unveils Memorial to Help Honor Fallen Service Members of Afghanistan and Iraq

Governor M. Jodi Rell today unveiled a traveling memorial to help honor the 42 U.S. service members with ties to Connecticut who have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq.


The exhibit, entitled "Faces of Connecticut’s Fallen," features as its centerpiece an original video displaying the faces, names and hometowns of those service members who have been killed in the line of duty since September 11, 2001.

"It is my sincere hope that this exhibit sends a clear and resounding message to our Gold Star families who have suffered such a tragic loss – Connecticut will never forget the sacrifices of your loved one," said Governor Rell. "With so many citizens and towns affected by the loss of beloved son or daughter, we wanted to create a tribute that could be shared by as many people as possible. This traveling memorial will enable municipalities and organizations to create additional, local tributes around it."

The memorial exhibit will be made available for display by municipalities who have lost a service member in Afghanistan or Iraq through the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Governor Rell, joined by some of Connecticut’s Gold Star families, unveiled a sample of the video exhibit at West Hartford Town Hall which will be the first location to host the “Faces of Connecticut’s Fallen.” West Hartford has lost three service members with ties to its community in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“Nothing we do or announce today can ultimately heal the hurt of our families who have lost a service member,” said Governor Rell. “We share their sorrow but we can never know their grief. What this project does say is that you will always be in our thoughts and prayers – and Connecticut will never stop caring about you.”

The 10-minute video featured in the “Faces of Connecticut’s Fallen” exhibit is set to singer/songwriter Norah Jones’ emotional rendition of “American Anthem” which contains the lyric “America, America, I gave my best to you.” Norah Jones and her record company, Sony/BMG records, gave express permission to the State of Connecticut to incorporate “American Anthem” into the exhibit after learning about the project.

The Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs has reserved all rights to the “Faces of Connecticut’s Fallen” video and will be making copies available to Gold Star families who have lost a loved one in Afghanistan or Iraq.

West Hartford will officially open and dedicate the “Faces of the Connecticut’s Fallen” memorial exhibit on Monday, November 5th. The tribute will be available for public viewing in the Town Hall lobby through January 5, 2008.


Related Links:

Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.ct.gov/ctva/cwp/view.asp?Q=397738&A=2088

Connecticut's War Dead
A list of military personnel with ties to Connecticut who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
http://www.courant.com/

Town of West Hartford
http://www.west-hartford.com/