When deciding on what to write about Travis I was a bit stumped. To me "legacy" meant any children he left behind or something like that. But I got to thinking, Trav's heroism could be a legacy. The man he was and the influence he had on others could be that too.
   Most of you knew Travis most of his life, some only as an adult. He was active and spontaneous and at times full of mischief. He wasn't the highest achieving student but he was a high achieving friend and son. I remember one person in school that wasn't always accepted by the other kids and was made fun of etc.  At first I wasn't too sure about him hanging out with this person but he told me that person needed a friend. I reminded him to be sure that he brought that person "up" and not let them bring him "down". Over time this person came to be accepted and like by the "group".  I was so proud of him for that.
   I'm not blind to the antics of Trav, his brothers or his friends but some of those friends ended up going down a wrong path (hopefully just for a time) while Trav and most of the others succeeded in getting a nice life. Trav worked a few jobs and enjoyed his time cooking at the "Garden".  It wasn't something he wanted as a career but he liked the creative part of making up new things and several friends worked there too and they had a good time. Ultimately he landed work through Krystle's dad as an engineer and he loved it. He had just gotten to the level of Journeyman HVAC tech. For the first time he enjoyed going to school. He was learning something he could use every day. He loved to tell about all the different things he was responsible for, describing a piece of equipment and how it worked, how they had him shimmy inside walls all curled up so he could mount all those big screen tv's and things like that. He was so much like his Grandpa Duane. Not only did they have the same hands and very similar looks but he had his work ethic. Like his grandpa he went the extra mile to help someone else even if what they were doing wasn't his job. If someone needed help he was the first to offer it and if he saw something that needed to be done or fixed, he didn't walk by and figure it was someone else's responsibility - he took care of it if he could or he told a supervisor about it. He had fun on the job and off always ready to show off that famous grin and wink.
   For his family, Trav was the same. If we needed anything, he was there. He watched out for me all the time and in so many ways. He just loved to help others-period. Not for what he could get out of it or his glory but just for the blessing and satisfaction of knowing he could help. He understood hard work and enjoyed seeing the end result.
   Unfortunately, Travis didn't advertise his Christianity. I believe it was because of where we lived and he was in the minority, but Trav was a true child of God. He accepted Jesus' redemptive work on the cross when he was young. He attended church and church camp for years and he knew what he believed. None of us knows God's plan for another and i will never understand God's Will in taking Trav home but we do know that no matter what-God is in control and has His ways and reasons.  There's something in the Bible about a person having more impact on others after he's gone and we have seen many good things happen within the family as a result of his leaving, but will not try to surmise why God required Travis now. And it doesn't matter.
   People used to notice when Trav played baseball he had no problem "sacrificing his body".  He'd jump for a ball even if he came down hard on his side. Well, on February 2nd he sacrificed his life for another. You all know the story but - do I think if he knew he would die that day he would have done it anyway?? No, I'm sure he didn't intend to die that day or in that way, but he was told to help and he did despite the danger.
   Travis was nominated by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission for the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. It is in the process for review now. I'm sure he'll receive it. That I guess is his legacy - his life as a son, brother, friend, mentor and HERO.