OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Military Veterans Museum and Education Center in Oshkosh held a Memorial Day dedication for its newest display, which pays tribute to those who’ve fought against the War on Terror.
Two Wisconsin Marines who died in Iraq in 2004 are at the center of the new display:
Private First Class Brent Vroman, a 2001 graduate of Omro High School, and Lance Corporal Daniel Wyatt, a 2001 graduate of Racine Horlick High School.
Bill DeGroot, Vroman’s stepfather, tells FOX 11….
“It’s certainly wonderful for us because it keeps the memory of our son and his sacrifice alive.”
A painting from a picture taken of Vroman while serving in Iraq hangs in the new display.
It hangs next to a mannequin Wyatt.
Ron Twellman is president of the Military Veterans Museum and Education Center
“When we think of veterans, we think of people who are older, who served in past wars, but it’s happening every day now, so there is no end in the amount of new veterans and especially in this case where they’re veterans who sacrificed their lives for our country.”
Like almost all the artifacts you’ll find in the museum, the items in the new display were donated, including the painting of Vroman.
It’s from Appleton painter Tim Mayer, who has a nonprofit that honors fallen soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It means everything,” DeGroot said of the painting.
“He was only there from September until December and in that time he developed relationships with the local children and did his service. I think that’s not only a representation of his service but the service of all the military.”
For Wyatt’s mannequin, his family donated the clothing, some of which was issued to him and returned to the family after his death.
The display at the Military Veterans Museum is permanent.
It can be seen during the museum’s public hours, which are from 10 am to 5 pm, Friday through Sunday.
