Wakarusa soldier makes the ultimate sacrifice

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Travis Hunsberger dies in Afghanistan

Travis Hunsberger (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

SOUTH BEND -- Funeral arrangements will soon be made for 24-year-old Travis Hunsberger of Wakarusa. He was killed Friday by an improvised explosive device during a mission in Afghanistan.

This was Hunsberger's second tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was a communications technician with the Army Special Forces.

WSBT spoke with his parents earlier Sunday. They hope their son's death will help spread a very important message.

"He always wanted to be a part of something,” said Steve Hunsberger.

Steve and Ronda Hunsberger say there are so many ways to describe their son Travis. But a picture may put it best.

"People always knew Travis had a grin, always had a plan," said Steve Hunsberger.

A plan that always included a challenge. In 2003, after two years at Ball State University, Travis decided to enlist in the Army.

"He went in it with an intent to be a Green Beret,” said Steve Hunsberger.

"He found his calling in the Army. I truly believe that. I truly believe that was his heart. He was so happy," said Ronda Hunsberger.

That happiness turned tragic Friday night. Officials say Travis was killed by an improvised explosive device during a mission near the Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.

"Our whole world is turned upside, just turned upside down. We always knew that this was a possibility, but you never think that it's going to be your situation,” said Steve Hunsberger.

The Hunsbergers are trying not to focus on their son's death. Instead, they hope it will shed light on a much bigger issue ... the freedom we have as Americans.

"And too often we get too involved in what we do from day to day. And I feel it's something we have to realize, what freedom really costs. Because we have it today because of guys like my son and other men and women that have gone before,” said Steve Hunsberger.

Travis Hunsberger was a graduate of Northwood High School. He was married a year and a half ago. Funeral arrangements have not been made yet.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 9:31 PM Sam Ford wrote ...

My son, Joseph was killed in Iraq on 5/10/08. I feel for your family and what you are going through. Your son, as was mine, was happy and proud in what he was doing. God Bless Sgt. Hunsberger.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 1:41 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Hooray for this hero, this King among men, and phphphphphphp to college professors, journalist intellectuals and the like.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 9:37 AM condolences wrote ...

I do not know this family, but I want to say thank you to the parents for raising such a wonderful man who served us all with his devotion to our country. Please accept my deepest sympathies during this time of mourning. May God keep you today & always.

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 9:20 AM bob wrote ...

all i can say as a viet vet is thank you for keeping it out of my back yard we must take it to them. to the family please remember that travis is in a better place and the sorrow is only ours he is happy

Tuesday, Jul 1 at 7:08 AM Travis Speicher wrote ...

Travis Hunsberger was my best friend on this planed, he was one of those guys that you would love even if you only meet him once or a couple of times. He was truley a self-less person, who was always putting the problems of others before his own. He is a True american HERO and he died making this land better for ALL of us. He will be Dearly missed by all of us who had the honer and the privledge of calling him a friend. Steve,Rhonda,Kyle,and Kelsey: I love you all, hang in there,we all love you

Monday, Jun 30 at 10:10 PM Thankful wrote ...

I just wanted to send my condolences to you and to say Thank you for the sacrifice your son made. I being a mother can't begin to know the pain you all are goin thru. I don't take my freedom lightly, I know many lives have been lost. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your son truly is a hero!!

Monday, Jun 30 at 9:36 PM Andi (Hunsberger) Wilson wrote ...

Distantly, we're related. Our sympathies and prayers go out to your family. May God be with you through this difficult period.

Monday, Jun 30 at 8:50 PM GENE wrote ...

THANK YOU!!!!

Monday, Jun 30 at 7:59 PM Brian Koziatek wrote ...

My prayers are with everyone... To God Be The Glory

Monday, Jun 30 at 5:11 PM Thank You wrote ...

He, among many others, died a hero. He made the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country. To his family and friends, you are in our prayers and we send our deepest sympathies. This is undoubtedly one of the hardest things to deal with, but your faith will get you through. God bless you.

Monday, Jun 30 at 1:57 PM Mary wrote ...

To Steve & Ronda & family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember you telling me about your son joining and the concerns you had, as I had the same when my son joined. He is a true hero as all the others who are in the military serving or those who have served. God bless you both.

Monday, Jun 30 at 12:22 PM Dan & Tracy wrote ...

They are not just a solider; they are someone’s child, They are not just a soldier; they are someone’s love, They are not just a solider; they are someone’s friend, They are not just a soldier, they are our soldiers. May we never turn them into a statistic and always remember all the hearts they touched, courage they personified and life they had lived. To Steve, Rhonda, Kyle and Kelsey our fallen words can not express our sadness. We will not forget.

Monday, Jun 30 at 12:00 PM Bill wrote ...

God Bless this hero and his family. Thank your for your service to your country.

Monday, Jun 30 at 9:53 AM Donna wrote ...

My thought and prayers are with this family and I hope they know that we appreciate his sacrifice and he will not be forgotten.

Monday, Jun 30 at 9:37 AM To the Hunsberger Family: wrote ...

Our hearts ache for all of you as you grieve the loss of your precious son. We have prayed for Travis daily as he so bravely served our country! Again, we are reminded of the price of our freedoms which we all take for granted. If not for great young men like Travis, those freedoms would not be possible. Travis, we love you and we thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made for all of us. Love, Jack and Nadine

Monday, Jun 30 at 8:07 AM Robert Benjamin wrote ...

On behalf of Holy Cross College, I would like to share our condolences with your family in this moment of sadness. May God bless you and comfort you as your mourn. It must be the hardest thing in life to face, but remember, that God remains our only source of hope and courage in this devastating situation. We are praying for you. God bless your and Hannah, his wife. We truly are honored by his sacrifice for the safisty of the rest of us in this country of that stands for freedom.

Monday, Jun 30 at 6:54 AM Steve wrote ...

God bless you Travis, Thanks for serving for our great county.

Monday, Jun 30 at 6:40 AM Joel wrote ...

To the Hunsberger family: I thank you for your son's sacrifice. I love our military and they are the most unselfish and giving group of people I know. I hope you have peace knowing he gave his all for the greatest country ever created.

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