Fallen troops exhibit made unlikely stop in Dos Palos

A stirring tribute to the military men and women killed since Sept. 11 visited Dos Palos in October, a rare stop in a small town made possible by a little luck and one man’s passion for honoring American heroes.

“Remembering Our Fallen” is made up of images from the 722 servicemen and servicewomen killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Omaha, Neb.-based nonprofit Patriotic Productions organizes such displays around the country.

The memorial’s unlikely exhibition was the result of a fortunate cancellation and the enthusiasm of Roy Hart, a 77-year-old member of the Dos Palos American Legion.

“They don’t come to little towns,” Hart told the Sun-Star in October.

Hart also belongs to the KIA Honor Flag Organization, which honors fallen troops.

He was in the Southern San Joaquin Valley when he first saw the display. He wanted to bring it to Dos Palos but figured the town of 5,000 didn’t have a shot.

“I said, ‘I’d just give anything to have this in my little town,’ ” he said when the exhibit opened in town.

The exhibit was set for a weeklong engagement in Palo Alto, Hart said, but the host there decided to cancel. Exhibit organizers remembered Hart’s passion.

Hart said things just fell into place, adding that Dos Palos’ engagement is twice as long as the ones in most most cities.

The display includes 12 Merced County natives. “(It’s) once in a lifetime,” he said. “It’ll never be in Dos Palos again.”

Hart, a Navy veteran, also served as a tour guide, and he knows the story behind many of the faces in the hall. His voice filled with emotion recalling his experiences with the families of the fallen troops.

The displays included notes from family members or others who wanted to express gratitude to the men and women in the pictures. One is scribbled in the handwriting of what could only come from a small child.

“I love and miss you, Daddy,” the note reads. “But, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Mom and Grandma.”

Hart said looking at all the pictures is a reminder of the price people pay during wartime.

“Freedom is unbelievably expensive,” he said. “And, these are the guys and gals that wrote the check.”

This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 2:07 PM with the headline "Fallen troops exhibit made unlikely stop in Dos Palos."