Illinois memorials honor 9/11 victims and service members

Various memorials in Illinois are being highlighted ahead of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

In Chicago, the National Veterans Art Museum is hosting ‘Never Forget,’ a multimedia installation created through a partnership between UIC’s Student Veteran Affairs and UIC Creative and Digital Services. The exhibit features 25 black-and-white portraits and a 90-minute video documenting the diverse experiences of University of Illinois Chicago students, faculty, staff, and alumni regarding the impact of the attacks.

Additionally, the ‘Portrait of a Soldier’ commemoration is on display at the Daley Center until September 16. This memorial features hand-drawn graphite portraits of over 300 Illinois service members killed in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq following the 9/11 attacks. Former Governor Pat Quinn, who helped initiate the project in 2004, emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by these individuals to defend democracy.