Hundreds honor fallen Kane County soldiers

Standing before a memorial to Kane County’s fallen veterans, Robert Patterson paused briefly before gently running his finger across his son Christopher’s name.

“I reached out to touch him one more time,” Patterson said moments later, as Memorial Day observers lined up to thank him for his son’s sacrifice.

Hundreds of people turned out Monday to honor Army Spc. Christopher Patterson of North Aurora and Marine Cpl. Alex Martinez of Elgin, whose names are the most recent additions to the Kane County Veterans Memorial in Geneva.

The ceremony sponsored by the county’s Veterans Assistance Commission included patriotic songs and “Taps” performed by the West Aurora High School band and the Marmion Military Academy Buglers. State Sen. Chris Lauzen presented flags to the families of each of the fallen solders before relatives were lead to the memorial to find their loved ones’ names.

“It’s one more step to (Christopher) not being forgotten,” Robert Patterson said. “Every parent’s worst nightmare is the day the service shows up at your doorstep. The second worst is when they’re forgotten. Because of ceremonies like this, he won’t be forgotten. The community is showing their appreciation, and it means the world.”

Christopher Patterson, 20, was killed by a roadside bomb Jan. 6 as he patrolled a combat route in Afghanistan looking for improvised explosive devices. Martinez, 21, was killed April 5 during combat in the Helmand province in Afghanistan.

Guest speaker and retired Army Ofc. Ty Simmons of Aurora encouraged crowds Monday to remember those who made the “ultimate sacrifice,” and all others who served their country in times of need.

“It is never too late to say thank you,” he said. “We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to all our veterans and to all those who have served our country during peacetime and conflicts.”

Martinez’s father said he couldn’t be more proud of his son, who took summer classes in order to graduate high school early and enlist in 2009.

“He was very dedicated,” Enrique Martinez said. “He was certain of what he wanted to do.”

John Carr, superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission, said Kane County’s memorial currently bears 851 names of local soldiers who gave their all. He said plans also are under way to add the name of an Elgin soldier whose death last June the commission recently learned about.

“As it says on the statue,” Carr said, “freedom isn’t free.”