The Fallen Soldiers Project founder and artist Phil Taylor presented an original portrait of Marine LCpl Mario Castillo to his parents and family at a special ceremony Tuesday, held at the First United Methodist Church.
LCpl Castillo was killed June 10, 2005 while serving in Iraq. To honor his service, the acrylic portrait of Castillo was painted; 80 hours of prayer and skill were poured into the painting, with hopes that it could bring a little comfort to the family of the fallen hero.
Phil Taylor, artist and founder of The American Fallen Soldiers Project, is committed to honoring America’s fallen military by providing an original portrait of the fallen to their family that fully captures their appearance and personality. Each original portrait is personally delivered to the families by Mr. Taylor across the country as this one was to the Castillo family Tuesday.
“There was something about his smile,” said Taylor. “I hope that you feel him there, whole, in front of you for many days to come.”
Others such as former Brownwood Lions Coach Steve Freeman also spoke of Castillo and of having him on his team, watching him make the transition from “a boy one day to a man the next.” Freeman assured the family that Castillo has touched many lives, even some who did not know him personally, and that he is remembered by many daily.
“It’s hard to honor a single man as a fallen soldier. When you honor one, you honor them all,” said Freeman. “Today is not a day of sadness but a day of honor. We don’t just honor him on days such as his service or today. He crosses the minds of friends, Brownwood citizens, this state, nation and world.”
Castillo’s family was grateful and happy to receive the portrait for his parents and smaller copies for his siblings. For one of his sisters, the portrait meant that “Mario is finally coming home.”
“It warms my heart. Just having a copy for my own home, it is outstanding,” said Castillo’s older brother Raul.
For more information about the American Fallen Soldiers Project, visit
