TEXAN’S “REMEMBERING OUR FALLEN” EXHIBIT DEBUTS

AUSTIN, TEXAS - Texas gold star families gathered to remember family members today at the Bullock, Texas State History Museum in Austin, where a new photo memorial honoring almost 600 fallen Texans debuted. “Remembering Our Fallen” is a photo memorial honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the war on terror began. The memorial itself measures 200-linear-feet with an American flag backdrop and images of the fallen military in uniform as well as in their civilian lives.

Debut images of the new photo memorial.

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Texas Gold Star Family’s First to See at Bullock Museum

Texas gold star families gathered to remember family members today at the Bullock, Texas State History Museum in Austin, where a new photo memorial honoring almost 600 fallen Texans debuted. “Remembering Our Fallen” is a photo memorial honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the war on terror began. The memorial itself measures 200-linear-feet with an American flag backdrop and images of the fallen military in uniform as well as in their civilian lives.

“These brave military men and women volunteered to ensure our freedoms, so on this Memorial Day weekend, we remember them,” said Donna Cranston, Founder and Executive Director of Defenders of Freedom. “Their memory will be taken to communities across Texas to ensure that everyone has the chance to learn a little about our bravest and remember their sacrifice.”

Today, more than 150 Texas gold star families were the first to see the memorial that honors the ones they love so much.

Diego Montoya was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, out of Fort Hood, Texas and was serving in Afghanistan when he was killed during an insurgent attack on his unit. After burying her son on September 11, 2010, Diego’s mom, Rosie Guerra drafted a poem to tell of the loss of her son and those like him that served entitled

“The Boy in 34G” (the cemetery marker number).

“They all did their part so we can be free, Courage and valor describe him the best! Courage and valor describe all the rest, Let’s not forget what these brave soldiers have done, Like Private Diego Montoya, America’s son They laid down their lives, We will always be free, As did my boy in 34G.”

PFC Montoya was laid to rest at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas at the age of 20. Bill Williams, co-creator of the exhibit and co-founder of Patriotic Productions said, “The warriors of the 21st century, professionals, who volunteered to join the United States Armed Forces, grew up in the shadow of September 11, 2001, a defining moment for most of them. They come from all walks of life and every corner of our country, daring to go where so many never would. They retain the face of freedom and build upon the legacies of those who went before them in a cause greater than themselves. -more-

“We can never forget those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. We must remember these American Heroes and speak their names when we see their family members. This exhibit is created so it can travel easily throughout Texas, so that more people will have the opportunity to honor and remember Texas’ fallen.”

The memorial will move across the state thanks to Defenders of Freedom, a non-profit that supports veterans and their families. After spending the day in Austin, the memorial will spend the next two weeks in Terminal C, Gate 2 of DFW International Airport, with the support of American Airlines.

The memorial will then travel the state making regular stops in the major metropolitan areas as well as on military installations and community events year round. To request the memorial visit your community contact Defenders of Freedom at [e-mail] 214-232-4962.

The memorial was funded by Bellevue University and built by Patriot Productions. The Texas memorial is the seventh to be built. Texas has lost more military men and women than any other state since the war on terrorism began.

FACTS:

Home TownFallen

Houston53

San Antonio52

Fort Worth23

Austin22

El Paso17

Abilene8

Arlington8

Corpus Christi8

Dallas8

Lubbock7

Spring7

To date 571 Texans have died while defending our way of life across the United States of America. Defenders of Freedom is currently looking for financial partners to support the cost of moving and setting up the display across the state. If interested in sponsoring the program, please contact [e-mail].

Defenders of Freedom is a 501c3 non-profit committed to supporting deployed Troops around the world with personalized care packages, aid wounded Troops in their transition to civilian life and empowering all Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn with life & career mentoring, job search assistance and general transitioning to the civilian sector.