Since October 20, 2013, the “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial wall has provided Georgians with an opportunity to honor their fallen service members. The wall has been on display at the National Infantry Museum, Georgia National Guard armories and Georgia Military College. On January 13, 2014, it arrived at the state Capitol.

The Georgia “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial wall is the eleventh of its kind in the United States. Each memorial wall is different; people can submit personal mementos, making each wall unique. These mementos come in many forms ranging from short letters to personal effects.

Georgia’s memorial displays photographs of uniformed soldiers, red, white and blue ribbons and American flags stretching the length of the walkway inside the James (Sloppy) Floyd Veteran Memorial Building’s plaza. The wall honors nearly 200 of Georgia’s service members from all branches and components of the military lost in action during the War on Terror. The memorial tells the collective story of service and sacrifice through images and through mementos left by family members, friends and fellow service members.

For example, the memorial image of Sgt. 1st Class John Beale is adorned with the patch of Beale’s Georgia Guard unit, the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Left by a fellow service member, the patch is a reminder of sacrifices made and service that endures.

The memorial wall incorporates images of other fallen Guardsmen as well as members of other service components from Georgia or who were stationed in Georgia. The Georgia National Guard has deployed more than 16,500 Guardsman since 2003 and currently has more than 1,600 Guardsmen mobilized overseas. Thirty-eight Guardsman assigned to Georgia Guard units have been lost in service since that time.

The “Remembering Our Fallen” memorial wall will be on display in the James H. (Sloppy) Floyd Veteran Memorial Building at the state Capitol until February 5.

Patriotic Productions, the company that created Georgia’s memorial wall, was founded by Bill & Evonne Williams of Omaha, Nebraska. The couple had a desire to honor the United States military and now presents others who wish to do the same with the opportunity to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of Georgia service members. Though not veterans themselves, or children of veterans, the Williams’ four children currently serve in different branches of the U.S. military.

Click here for more photos of the memorial wall at the Capitol.