Dos Palos gets rare chance at fallen troops exhibit

The American Legion Hall here is filled with the faces of every Californian military service member killed since Sept. 11, 2001, and the exhibit is something of a rare treat for Merced County residents, according to the exhibitor.

“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 displays such as this around the country.

“They don’t come to little towns,” said Roy Hart, 77, a member of the Dos Palos American Legion.

Hart, who is also a member of the KIA Honor Flag Organization, which honors fallen troops, said 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.

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 enthusiasm.

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

He said he hopes people from around the county will take the opportunity to see the display, which 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, is also serving as the museum tour guide, and he knows the story behind many of the faces in the hall. His voice fills with emotion while recounting his encounters with the families of the fallen troops.

The displays also have 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.”

Hart said Fierro Family Funeral Home has also committed to conducting a service complete with a 21-gun salute and taps in honor of fallen troops. That will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at the American Legion Hall, 1601 Mabel Ave.

The exhibit will remain up daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday at the hall.

This story was originally published October 11, 2015 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Dos Palos gets rare chance at fallen troops exhibit."