Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial dedicated during Veteran’s Day ceremony

Two years after the first trees were planted, Governor Pat Quinn officially dedicated the Fallen Soldiers Tree Memorial in Marseilles.

Quinn visited Marseilles Friday afternoon.  He calls the area on the west end of Illini State Park a solemn place.  He said the over 200 oak trees in the memorial represent heroes.  Quinn also urged everyone to thank a veteran everyday not just on Veteran’s Day.

Steve Massey of IDOT was the man behind the memorial.  He says he always wanted to give something back to his country.  Massey asked visitors not to take the memorial and its surroundings for granted, saying the solid ground was fought for by veterans.

The trees represent Illinois soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.