Decatur Unveils Fallen Hero Trees of Honor
Two trees decorated with more than 500 paper stars bearing names of fallen service members were unveiled at the Decatur Civic Center.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Military
The Fallen Hero Trees of Honor were unveiled and decorated Thursday at the Decatur Civic Center, with more than 500 paper stars bearing the names of men and women in the armed services who died on active military service. More than 60 people attended the event.
Why it matters
The ceremony honors fallen service members and gives their families a public way to remember them. The tradition in Decatur began nine years ago with a single Christmas tree.
The display includes more than 500 paper stars, each bearing the name of a service member who died on active duty, and the tradition has grown from one Christmas tree nine years ago. The stub does not indicate how many additional names will be added or whether the trees will remain on display.
The players
Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox Memorial Fund
A memorial fund established by Frances and Jerome Maddox in honor of Army Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2013, and which staged the tree ceremony with America's Gold Star Families.
America's Gold Star Families
A national organization that supports the families of service members who have died, and which co-staged the Decatur tree ceremony with the Maddox memorial fund.
Brigadier General Lenny A. Williams
A Decatur native who commands the Illinois Army National Guard, referenced in connection with the state's military community.
The details
Attendees were invited to pick up a star, hang it on a tree, say the name aloud, and photograph the ornament. The trees are topped with large gold stars like those hung in windows of families who have lost a service member.
Timeline
Nine years ago: the Decatur tree tradition began with one Christmas tree.
Thursday: the Fallen Hero Trees of Honor were unveiled and decorated at the Decatur Civic Center.
Historical Context
The ceremony extends the Gold Star tradition, in which families display gold stars to mark the death of a service member, by turning that private remembrance into a public community display. Organized with America's Gold Star Families, it reflects how local observances have carried national commemorative practices into towns like Decatur.
Residents can visit the Decatur Civic Center to see the trees and, following the invitation at the ceremony, hang a star and research the named hero's family. The approach gives families and neighbors a direct way to learn about service members from their community.
The takeaway
Taking a few minutes to read the name on a star and learn about that service member's family is a simple way to honor local sacrifice. Public remembrance like this keeps the stories of fallen service members within the community.
Further reading
Explore more military coverage to see how Decatur honors its veterans and service families.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pantagraph.
