Remembering fallen heroes

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Friday, people will gather at Kalamazoo College to honor fallen heroes. It is a memorial day of sorts, honoring those who have given their lives in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Volunteers will begin setting up the memorial at Kalamazoo College to honor Michigan soldiers who have given their lives in the war on terror.

The memorial is called "Eyes Wide Open - Human Cost of War to Michigan."

This is a national effort to bring awareness to the death tolls both of American soldiers and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan.

You might remember the first Eyes Wide Open displays happened in Chicago in 2004.

The effort has since swept across the nation and now includes more than 5,000 pairs of boots representing fallen soldiers.

There will be 177 pairs of boots representing the fallen soldiers from Michigan at Kalamazoo College.

You can see the memorial beginning at 11 a.m. A vigil will take place from 8:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

It will also be on display Saturday from 10 until 6.