Ramona Phillips had a dream that is now displayed at the intersection of Illinois Route
162 and Horseshoe Lake Road.

Phillips is the mother of the late Steven Mennemeyer of Granite City, who was killed last year
in Iraq while serving his country.

In the dream, Phillips envisioned a billboard that paid tribute to her son. She contacted Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn's office about that vision. 

Quinn thought the idea of honoring a fallen soldier through a memorial billboard was an excellent idea because it would remind the public of the ultimate sacrifices that were made for freedom.

Quinn's staff went to work on the project.

With the assistance of local businessmen Dennis Linkeman and Steve Wagner, who helped finance the billboard and its gravesite depiction, the billboard was placed at the intersection the Thursday before Veterans Day.

On Friday, Quinn dedicated the billboard on behalf of Mennemeyer's family. Phillips attended the ceremony along with several of Steven's family members, including his sister, Sara Mennemeyer and her fiancee, Zachary White. Maurice and Sheila Poiter, the grandparents of Steven's 7-year-old son, Andrew, were also in attendance.

Rev. Pat Jackel of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Granite City, Pontoon Beach Mayor Jim Denham and Granite City Economic Development Director Jon Ferry also attended.

"We will all hold Steven in our heart. He was a real special hero, and he had a servant's heart." Quinn said. "(This is) a solemn day of remembrance, (but) I think we are pleased to have special human beings like Steven come in our time."

"I thank Sgt. Steven Mennemeyer for his service to our country, and I commend his family and friends for keeping his memory alive. It is my honor to dedicate this billboard to the patriotism and sacrifice of Sgt. Mennemeyer, and of all the veterans who have given so much to defend our freedom,'' Quinn said.

Standing in front of the billboard among a group of reporters, Phillips, speaking softly, thanked those who made her dream come true.

"(The billboard) has been very healing for me," she said.

Mennemeyer was killed during his second tour of duty when the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter he was in crashed during a familiarization exercise. He was 26.

Mennemeyer was a U.S. Army flight medic and was one of two servicemen killed in the crash. Four other were injured. 

Mennemeyer served in the U.S. Army Reserves before he was called into active duty. While a reservist, he worked as a paramedic for Abbott Ambulance Service.

Mennemeyer was born in Germany, but spent this youth in Granite City working for Farm Fresh Grocery Store on Nameoki Road and as a lifeguard at an area pool.

He graduated from Granite City High School in 1998.

Phillips described her son as "caring and funny to be around."