DeKALB – On a cool summer morning, around 50 people gathered to dedicate a new veteran’s memorial in DeKalb.
At 10 a.m. Thursday at the north wall of the Plaza DeKalb building, across from the Egyptian Theatre, veterans of DeKalb and supporting community members attended the dedication of the DeKalb Veterans Memorial Mural.
The mural is a re-creation of the painting “What These Boots Have Seen” by Mary Gallagher Stout. It contains imagery of empty military boots, a flag and dog tags.
“As the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and the wife of a veteran, I understand the profound psychological and physical impacts on soldiers and their families,” Gallagher Stout said via a press release. “Using green to symbolize the youth and inexperience of many soldiers, I aimed to honor their sacrifices while shedding light on the silent suffering due to PTSD and cultural stigmas.”
According to U.S. Army veteran and DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes, who spoke at the dedication following U.S. Army veteran Ron Lofton’s rendition of the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the city has been working for a few years with U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Embrey and U.S Army veteran and former Mayor Jerry Smith to create this mural.
“For me, this is what this mural represents, for the veterans that are here and for so many others that are here, is just recognizing those that serve, the sacrifice they make,” Barnes said.
Embrey, the 2024 State of Illinois Veteran of the Year, presented three awards at the dedication. The recipients of the recognition of military service were Barnes, Lofton and Smith.
Embrey highlighted other examples of veteran support in DeKalb, such as designated veteran parking. Local merchants in downtown DeKalb who were present, such as Cracker Jax and Found. Home and Vintage, are also offering veteran discounts at their Back Alley Market on Sept. 28.
Cindy Hupke, a representative for the DeKalb American Legion, spoke on behalf of Be the One, an initiative with the goal to reduce the rate of veteran suicide by building awareness, destigmatizing asking for mental health support and providing peer-to-peer support and resources for veterans.
It is estimated between 17 and 22 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the National Veteran Suicide Prevention annual report. On Sept. 22, Be the One is hosting a 2.2 Mile Walk for 22. The walk will go from 10 a.m. to noon, beginning at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Health and Wellness Center, located at 626 Bethany Road.
For those who do not wish to walk the full 2 miles, or are unable to, an alternate 1 mile circuit is available, or additional activities will be offered at the Health and Wellness Center such as tai chi, seated yoga and labyrinth meditation.
Registration for this event is available on the Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association website or at 9:30 a.m. at the Health and Wellness Center the day of the walk.
To close the event, Lofton led the crowd in singing “God Bless America.” After, there was a ribbon cutting by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.
The mural was funded by a T-Mobile Hometown Grant, which was awarded to DeKalb and is part of DeKalb’s public arts program.
