Travis

I was out at a bar, no reason to think of war. Thought I saw someone I knew, the guy I saw looked like you. "Did you hear the news? A chopper went down & lost it's crew." I thought of the war in Iraq, more loved ones not coming back. "Did you know that a local boy died? His hometown's where your friends reside." What came next caused a cold sweat, that moment in time I'll never forget. "Travis Fuller was his name." I instantly felt nothing but pain. I looked up at that familiar face, I had to get out of that place! It was not my friend who I'd found, turning away I slammed my beer down. I ever so quickly rushed outside, in a parking lot I cried & cried, panic hit me in the blink of an eye, I wanted to run, I wanted to hide! Trav, I can only imagine the fear in your heart, falling to earth, knowing you were about to depart. I went through my photos when I got home, when I found the one I let out a moan. You're at the prom with a great big smile, I sat down & reminisced for a while; meetings of the Civil Air Patrol, I never knew the Marines was your goal. I recalled rides home in Vinnie's car, it suddenly seemed so bizarre. My mind slipped into denial, memories quickly compiled. I looked at your picture & couldn't believe, thoughts of you would now cause me to grieve. I saw your eyes & exploded with raw emotion, you couldn't be gone because of devotion! I found myself again thinking of the past, hoping your memories would always last. "About face Fuller!" I once did yell, but I never got to say farewell. The day of your funeral came, so many people forever changed. As I stood in line I could smell the bouquets, I signed the book and saw your pictures on display. Over your casket the flag was draped, slide shows of you on videotape. I looked in and saw your face on the screen I broke down in tears & held back a scream. Your family was trying not to be weak there was pain in every word they did speak. The men by your casket standing on guard, looked as if they were also scarred. Their grief was for a brother lost overseas, who fought as they did but paid the ultimate fee. Trav, I hope you know that I will never forget, I wish that I didn't have so many regrets! I'll always remember the fun we had, even the things we did that were bad! There's a place deep inside no one can ever console, Travis, I miss & love you, you're a part of my soul!