One of the signature programs of this event is “Yes I Served, and I’m Your Neighbor” — a gallery of photographs of veterans then and now. Program organizers are asking veterans to provide them with pictures of and information about themselves. The pictures and information will be framed and hung in the CVTA art gallery, giving visitors a chance to identify and learn more about veterans in and around Kane County — veterans who are their neighbors and who served this country in war and in peace.

Guy J. Bellaver, Army Veteran and project curator describes the project.

“We used to know everyone in our community — we knew who served, whose kid served, and if a family had lost someone in a war,” he said. “In today’s mobile society, we’ve lost a lot of that community knowledge — and vets typically don’t tell people they served. So we want to give vets and the community a chance to change that.”

Organizers are asking veterans to please send two photos, either by mail or scanned and sent electronically. One Photo [casual or posed] of the veterans in military uniform with the approximate date of the photo, and one current photo, along with some basic information about branch of service and dates served. Organizers PROMISE all mailed photos will be returned. The pictures can be any size. A group photo is also acceptable, as long as the veterans identify themselves in the picture.

Chuck Ingersoll, Army Veteran and Secretary of American Legion Post 342 in St. Charles, is working with Bellaver on the project. In a recent email to other veterans to let them know about the project.

“Being a veteran, I already turned my photos in with the information sheet,” he said. “I think this event is a terrific idea and a great way to promote our military veterans.”

He goes on to explain and encourage: “The basic frame has three openings. Two of the openings will have the two pictures and the third opening will have the information about the veteran. I have seen the basic frames and they are very nice. After this is over, the veteran will be presented with the entire frame with the pictures in them along with the original pictures that were submitted. I’d love to see the gallery filled with pictures of local veterans. C’mon — I don’t want to be the only one on the wall.”

For more information about the “Yes I Served … ” project, or to get an information form, please contact the St Charles Arts Council at 630.443.3794 or info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org. Pictures may be mailed to the St Charles Arts Council, 2 East Main Street, St. Charles, Illinois, 60174. Or they may be sent electronically to info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.

About Celebrating Veterans Through Art

All veterans served our country, whether or not they fought in a war, were drafted, or volunteered. That service deserves our respect and admiration. It also demands that those of us who benefitted from that service learn about it, and art plays a crucial role in that education. Art shares veterans’ stories of service and sacrifice. Artists are a voice for veterans and provide us all with vehicles for remembrance.

Event Purpose: to give veterans an opportunity to tell their stories of service through the arts – the written and spoken word, visual art and video, and the performing arts – and to give the community a chance to learn more about veterans and their experiences through art.

About the St Charles Arts Council

The St Charles Arts Council is a 501(c)(3), registered not-for-profit Illinois corporation whose mission is to create an organization that serves and promotes the arts and cultural activities in St. Charles, to the mutual benefit of the arts and the community. The SCAC is staffed entirely by volunteers. Contact the SCAC for information at 630.443.3794 or at info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org.

About the American Legion

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans.

Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

About AMVETS

AMVETS is one of the nation’s foremost veterans service organizations. It stands as a strong and influential advocate for America’s veterans on important issues such as employment and training, mandatory funding for government-provided health care and other benefits to which they are entitled. AMVETS is a 501(c)19 organization. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who is currently serving, or has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to present, to include those in the National Guard and Reserves.

About the Veterans of Foreign Wars

The VFW traces its roots back to 1899 when veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection founded local organizations to secure rights and benefits for their service: Many arrived home wounded or sick. There was no medical care or veterans’ pension for them, and they were left to care for themselves. In their misery, some of these veterans banded together and formed organizations with what would become known as the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

The VFW’s voice had been instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, creating a GI Bill for the 20th century, the development of the national cemetery system and the fight for compensation for Vietnam vets exposed to Agent Orange and for veterans diagnosed with Gulf War Syndrome. In 2008, VFW won a long-fought victory with the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America’s active-duty service members, and members of the Guard and Reserves, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

About People for the Arts [P-ARTS]/East High School

P-ARTS (People for the Arts) East is a Fine Arts Advocacy and Booster group for the visual and performing arts and humanities that works for and with students and faculty to promote and support the arts at St. Charles East High School. P-ARTS supports activities at East and in the community.

About Community Unit School District 303

Community Unit School District 303 is a high-achieving, pre-K-12 system covering 57.4 square miles in the picturesque Fox River Valley, 40 miles west of Chicago. District 303 serves about 13,800 students (August, 2009) from the City of St. Charles and portions of West Chicago, South Elgin, Wayne, Campton Hills, Wasco, Elburn and unincorporated Kane County.

In July 2011, Family Circle Magazine named St. Charles the Best Town for Families in the United States. Among the reasons why the City of St. Charles was given this honor is the involvement of District 303 in the community and the fact that District 303 works closely with the City of St. Charles, the St. Charles Park District, the St. Charles Public Library and other civic organizations to benefit the residents of the community.

The district operates 12 elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools.

About the City of St. Charles

St. Charles, Illinois, located in both DuPage and Kane County, is 35 miles west of downtown Chicago. Over 2,100 businesses employ over 34,200 people, consisting of a balanced mix of retailers, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities. The City of St. Charles was recently named one of the “150 Great Places in Illinois” for the combined architectural work of the City Municipal Center, the Main Street Bridge, and the historic Hotel Baker.

The city’s recently completed 2014 Strategic Plan includes the following Action Plan: Market and promote St. Charles as a friendly, appealing destination, characterized by activities, events, arts, and culture. Capitalize on artistic and cultural resources by supporting local talent and lively venues and activities. Encourage collective civic endeavors to broaden the variety of attractions and events.