An inspiring and moving gallery exhibit titled “American Heroes: Portraits of Service” was unveiled for permanent display at Midway International Airport in November 2022.

The exhibit features portraits by nationally recognized photographer Thomas Sanders of 65 senior men and women veterans from across the country who bravely served the United States during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

This powerful exhibit was organized by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) in partnership with Belmont Village Senior Living, a senior housing operator; and co-sponsored by Harrison Street, a Chicago-based investment management firm. Its opening marked the first time this type of work has ever been on display at Midway Midway travelers have the opportunity to view the specially curated exhibit in the pedestrian walkway between the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Orange Line station and the airport terminal. Storyboards and plaques hang alongside the images with personal information about each veteran’s service experience.

At the opening of the exhibit, CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee said,
“We’re always looking for more ways to highlight the contributions of
service members at Chicago’s airports through exhibits, regular Honor
Flight Chicago trips to visit the national war memorials in Washington,
D.C., and increased contracting opportunities for veteran-owned frms
alongside minority- and women-owned businesses.”

A few of the captivating stories on display include Chicago-area
veterans. Myron Petrakis, who served as a Navy machinist during
World War II on the USS Murrelet, attended the exhibit opening and
took part in the celebratory ribbon-cutting along with other featured
local veterans.

A quote from Petrakis in the exhibit next to his portrait reads, “I
am dedicated to the memory of my boyhood friends and shipmates
who made the ultimate sacrifce for our country in WWII. I lost six
friends and 31 shipmates that I trained with when our sister ship
the USS Minivet hit a mine on December 28, 1946, during sweeping
operations in the Korean Straits. The war did not end for the
minesweepers on VJ day.”

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Extensive details about the men and women photographed in the Midway exhibit are available at: belmontvillage.com/veterans-exhibit-CDA/