Lance Cpl. Travis Wichlacz wanted to help the Iraqis. His mother, Laura Garcia, said her son was in favor of the war. "He wanted to make life better for the children," said Garcia. "Travis wanted them to grow up with a future. He wanted them to experience some of the same things that he experienced."
 
Wichlacz graduated from Wisconsin's West Bend West High School in June 2002. He was a three-sport athlete participating in track, football and wrestling. Garcia said her son was also an Eagle Scout and belonged to a group called Pride, which taught kids to make good choices. "He had so much energy," said Garcia. "He lived life to the fullest. Travis must have known that he had a lot of living to pack into his short life. He wouldn't slow down for anything; he just kept going." Shortly after graduation Wichlacz joined the Marines as a reservist. He served with 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, Fox Company based in Milwaukee. He married Angela Coakley and reported for infantry training just weeks after his wedding.
 
Wichlacz went to Iraq in the fall of 2004. Garcia said her son didn’t discuss with her what he was doing in Iraq. "He just felt like that is what he needed to do that was his duty," said Garcia. "He needed to go over and help the Iraqis and try to make their life better. That is really what his whole purpose was he wanted to show how life could be so much better the whole idea of freedom."
 
Lance Cpl. Wichlacz, 22, was killed on February 5, 2005. He was in a convoy when a bomb exploded in the Babil Province. "He had an overwhelming need to help people," said Garcia. "He was a very sensitive, caring and loving person. He couldn't just stand by and not help people - that wasn’t in his make-up."