Editor's Note: The Oregonian wanted to offer an opportunity for those who knew a service member or those who wanted to comment on their sacrifice to add to their tribute. To leave a remembrance, or view by service member, see service member bios.
Angelica wrote:
Thank you for giving everything. We honor your
life.
Date Posted: November 8, 2011
Frank Morris wrote:
I still cry for you Joey, the hurt never goes away.
Date Posted: December 17, 2011
Justin wrote:
R.I.P. brother, I miss you everyday!
Date Posted: December 1, 2009
Maria Grout wrote:
Lcpl. Boyles may you rest in peace. We will never forget.
Date Posted: September 24, 2010
David Christensen wrote:
Travis and I were buddies in German class and fierce Junior Varsity competitors on the wrestling mat in high school. We sat next to each other Herr Mack's class for years.
After I attended Travis's funeral in 2003, the images of Travis and a few other classmates making comedy, short films auf Deutsch, stuck in my mind. We were armed with a remedial knowledge Deutsch, and a camcorder. The videos are so clearly planted in my consciousness. I hear his voice better than any one else. I see his facial expressions and the movement of his body as we acted out a WWF news interviews between two superstars. This most vivid movie went like this:
Travis: [slams fist on desk,] "Ich heisse STONE COLD AUSTIN! [points at the camera] Ich mochte RICK FLARE!"
Another student: [hands raised to choke] "Ich bin RICK FLARE!" [grumbling, shouting, a tussle. They fight.]
So concluded our first German class video. Each would improve, along with our language skills, with time.
I edited this video late one night 10 years ago in my parents' basement. Each time I played the raw video of this scene, I would crack up laughing as I tried to complete this school project. Was it this repetition during the editing, or the event of Travis' death that so deeply implanted this memory deep in my mind?
The morning Travis’s death was announced on the front page of the Oregonian, I went into my parent’s basement and looked for these videos and photographs of him, wiping tears from my eyes. Flashbulb memories were spinning in my head—both monumental and trivial. Sadness and guilt overwhelmed. I had cheered the television in March 2003 went it appeared things in Iraq would go so well. Yet here was the flesh of this video fantasy. My dead friend, a son, a soldier.
I wanted to catalog each event for his mother. I wanted to tell her the story of the videos we made. I wanted to tell here about... the day I made fun of him for wearing Goth eye make-up to school—(I’m sorry for that). I wanted to capture all these memories, lest she think that after thousands of deaths that followed his own, that people don’t remember the tragedy of her son’s death.
I do.
He was my friend.
Date Posted: March 18, 2007
Mitch wrote:
Brian,
You will never be forgotten.
Thank You for your service.
I admire your courage. Many Oregonians are very proud of you.
Mitch of KevinsDriftboat.com
Date Posted: February 17, 2007
Cpl chris Vassar wrote:
I was in cedrics platoon when we were stationed
in Kuwait. I remember the night he died. I had
only missed him by a few minutes. I had been
taking a shower and came back to the tent our
platoon was staying in. I really looked forward to
seeing him and how positive he was. I had heard
from the guys in our platoon say that he was
really upbeat and looking forward to going home.
He wanted to get married when he got home. I
think about him almost everyday. Semper FI
Cedric
Date Posted: November 28, 2011
Jessica wrote:
Adam,
I don't want to be the first to post here because I know so many who are breaking inside. All I can really remember is kids playing ball in the street or you guys arguing about Pokemon. I do know that you were always the big brother to all of them and an idol they will always remember. You had a tremendous impact on my son. I never realized how much he looked up to you until now. You are a hero and were always a hero to him without even knowing it. Thank you! R.I.P
Date Posted: November 30, 2011
George Hunt wrote:
Jeremy is my son, my hero. He always will be. This past Sept 24th would have been his 30th Birhday. We miss him so much. My Wife, his Step Mother Rusty. His Grandmother Jan Entenmann, Rwe 3 go to several Gold Star family events in his honor. Jeremy only lived in AZ for a short time working there. He is an Oregonian thru and thru. Born and raised. He lived as he died.. A hero. Doing what he believed in, protecting this country and being in the army. He was extrememly patriotic, and was the most loving, fair, and honest man. I should know, I am his daddy.
The 3rd Anniversary of our hero's death is only days away.. and our tears will never go away. He will never be forgotten. Every member of our family has a memorial, tribute to him. And his Grandmother Jan, aka "Sgt Maj. Granny" as the other high ranking soldiers have Ranked her. Takes care of his grave so lovingly every week, it always stands out. Rain or shine. Jeremy has and will always be our Hero.
Sincerely,
George & Rusty Hunt
Date Posted: November 21, 2007
jeremy wrote:
We thank your son and people like your son who died for this country. Our thoughts and prayers are with you...
The Nauta Family - Mulino Oregon
Date Posted: June 20, 2007