A traveling tribute visits Wisconsin remembering victims in powerful way



Sheboygan (WITI) -- Thousands of people effected by the Global War on Terror that began in 1983 with the Beirut Barracks bombings, are being honored.

A traveling wall that pays tribute to those events leading up to present day, has made a stop in Wisconsin.

Robert, Donald, Lawrence, William...to some they are just names, to Lee and Dick Schoessow, it's much more.

"We like to come, just to remember him," said Lee Schoessow.

Lester O. Biehl, a Vietnam Veteran who gave his life 49 years ago, etched on this wall for healing through the power of touch.

"I touched his named and I can feel him with me," said Lee.

This traveling Vietnam Veteran Wall sits next to another special wall, the Global War on Terror; Wall of Remembrance.

Veteran, Jamie Aherns visited the wall during his lunch break, looking for his friends.

"It's pretty powerful, you, it kind of takes you back to hanging out with them back then" said Aherns.

Thousands of names displayed for all to remember.

"I wish I could stop this wall, it's some of the hardest things I've ever dealt with in my entire life, but the names don't stop," said Derek Hendershot, keeper of the wall.

The terrorists are still out there, the fighting continues, and every day we lose another one. Most recently, American journalist and Marquette grad James Foley who was beheaded by Islamic militants in a gruesome video posted online. His name will eventually joint he list.

"It's our duty to make sure that he's not forgotten, and he will be put on this wall and he will be remembered," said Hendershot.

For generations to come, the wall is to educate, remember, and honor those names.

The wall is open 24 hours a day. It will remain up until Sunday, August 24th at 2 p.m.

The wall will retire at the end of this year so they can build a new one with additional events such as James Foley's death.

CLICK HERE if you would like to donate to the wall.