On Memorial Day, please join Lutheran Life Communities in prayers of thanks for freedoms paid for by our country’s military servicemen and women.

The Lutheran Life Communities family, as is true for so many families across our great country this year, has a specific loved-one who will always be remembered among our Memorial Day heroes.

On January 6, 2012, SPC Christopher Alexander Patterson, age 20, died while proudly serving his country in Afghanistan. Christopher’s father, Robert Patterson, himself a U.S. Navy veteran, is a longtime Lutheran Home and Lutheran Life Communities colleague.

Christopher Patterson was young, full of life, faith, ambition, and love for his God, family, music and country.  He graduated in 2009 from West Aurora High School, and was continuing his studies in music education at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Chris was born and raised in a loving, Christian and military family. He enlisted with the Indiana National Guard and served as a 12B Combat Engineer with the 713^th Engineering Company (Sapper) based out of the Valparaiso Armory.  He is survived by his parents, Robert and Mary Patterson, and his three brothers Carl, Sean and Thomas Patterson, as well as their families.

Colleagues and friends from all Lutheran Life Communities embrace the Patterson family this Memorial Day, and every day, with the love and compassion shown to us by our Savior.

Lutheran Life Communities would like to extend the same love and compassion to every family for whom Memorial Day is personal because of loss. May God provide strength, comfort and hold each of you closely this Memorial Day.