Ten years ago was the beginning of the worst time of my life . Spring was starting and I was in the back yard clearing old dead plants when you mother started yelling for me . She was upset sounding so I ran to the house . As soon as I saw the Sfc and a Captain in uniform my heart skipped ! I knew way they were there and it was terrible news . My son was dead . The days after I kept it together as we went to Dover AFB for your remains return . Then home and getting things done and helping your mother and family . So many people had known you and were helpful as they could be . Believe me the hurt of losing you hasn't , and won't , changed during these ten years . I think of you and miss you every day !

You would be 41 years old now , son . We can't know what you would have done if you had all those years alive , I am pretty sure you would have stayed in the Army until you went over 20 yrs . I don't know what rank you would have retired at only I know that I would have been so proud of you . We would have hoped that you and you family would have returned to Lawton to live . You and they would have loved being here with Troy and Jenny having all their horses . I would have my son for a fishing buddy again and would be thrilled . I miss you so very much , son .

My ornery little brother, I love you and miss you. I am sure my Momma has a birthday celebration for you in Heaven. I know you are around. And leave my phone alone.  Ha. Happy Birthday Brat. Until later......hugs

It has been nine years from the date you were killed by the Taliban hitting your MRAP with two RPG's . It happened only minutes before mid night on 15 March 2011 . Both hit right in front of you in the right seat almost at the same time . It sent so much hot metal and heat and blast right into you from chest down . Your body armor became more steel tearing into you and out . You died instantly not as the official report said . I know because I spoke with four of the team members that were with you at that instant . They were all wounded with non life threatening injuries . Because of you , son , you took it so much and being a big man you kept it from them . Not everything , but more than enough to make their injuries minor . You were dead in a instant as you were almost cut in half . Your heart , one lung , four vertebra gone from you spine and you had all below the chest full of metal . You back plate and the seat stopped the force . You were gone in the blink of your eye . That was the only good thing about this as I didn't like hearing that you suffered none of us , soldier's , want to go that way we'd want it quick . I didn't know for sure until I heard from those with you however I didn't believe what the report told us . The more information I got just pointed to having been killed instantly and that is what I told your mother and wife . We stay in touch with many that served with you during your eleven years in the Army . We share the memories with each other . So many contact us and stop and visit because of how much they admired and liked you , Travis . Some of the members of your platoon that were with you in Afghanistan have very strong feelings as for your loss . That shows how much you effected other people . I'm so very sorry you are gone only I am so proud of you and the man you had become . You did what you had said to the others that you would get them back alive . That is the way many of them feel .

Another birthday has come and gone and my heart still hurts. My sweet funny boy. I miss that big laugh of yours so very much. I miss your huge hugs. I know you are proud of your girls, I certainly am. You were the best of your Dad and I. Your sister misses you daily. I love you as much as I did the day I first felt you move inside of me.

Son , you made it about three months passed 31 years old . How wonderful it would have been if you were still alive for this , your 40th . We miss you so very much , Travis . I think you would be getting close to your retirement from the Army and looking forward to it greatly . Making plans for the future . I'm sorry we couldn't be sharing those with you . I know you wouldn't have stayed very much after hitting twenty years if you would even gone that long . You were not totally motivated to the career when we spoke when you were on leave . I feel as if you may have been staying in thinking I wanted you to . I did because I thought you were enjoying most of the soldier life and it gave a great retirement for you and your family . You took care of them by serving that is for sure . I am so proud of the man you were , Travis .

How very much I miss you , son . Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and look at pictures of you . Your pictures will always be in places of honor and love within our home . You were a great man and father . I was so proud of you and knew that you were such a loving father . I still find it so hard to accept your being KIA as I felt so certain you would survive as all Tompkins men had before . The odds ran out as many different things that night happened to add up and end up with your death . The Army has a very bad habit of not remembering lessons learned in other wars and people are doomed to repeat stupid actions . When it comes down to the final reason it was those two individuals that fired their RPG's at your MRAP . A simple chain link fence stand-off up from the front may have made for a different out come . I Love You

Here it is eight years since we lost you. I miss you just as much as I have since the day the two soldiers came to our front door. I guess it will never stop being so painful. I remember the way you could make us all laugh. I miss your big laugh. I love you Travis.

I never thought I would still be crying seven years later. I miss him so much. I couldn't have had a better son. I love you my son.

Son , it is so very hard thinking how you should be 38 years old now . I know how much you would be looking forward to hitting retirement in only two years or so . I'm sure you would have had more than enough of the Army at twenty ! I just wish you had the chance to have spent these passed years with your girls and with us once in a while . Holidays don't mean much of anything without you and most days don't either . The fight continues against the Taliban and other groups . Our country is messed up more than ever . It would be so much better if you were still here . Love You , Dad

Here another birthday has come. There are not enough words to say how I feel. I miss you so much more every day. I love now and forever.

Six years without you to talk to and laughing with you . Never having been able to see you play with your girls and Jenny's children as you used to do . No fishing trips with you and checking out places to eat looking for great food and lots of it ! I miss you so very much , Travis . I feel so sorry for Madison and Gianna not having you there for them . Afghanistan is still a mess and cavemen still rule much of it . I only can hope that will change , as you wanted it , with the determination of our new administration . I love you , Dad .

I can't believe you have been gone six years. I miss you more with each day. Your girls are beautiful. I know they miss you. I miss you calling me everyday on you way home from work. You could always make me laugh. I miss the pool parties with everyone here. I love you so much.

NEVER FORGOTTEN...Watching you grow up into the proud man, soldier and hero you became was one of my life's greatest rewards. I will always carry you close in my heart as the son I never had. I miss your phone calls and look forward to the day we meet again.

I miss him so very much. I am amazed that we are still meeting people that were so touched by Travis. In his 31 years he touched so many more lives than I have in 65 years. He never met a stranger. His soldiers have told me he was tough but extremely fair. Our family will never be the same without him. We not only lost our son but for all intentions we lost his family as well. I miss my son every day. I honestly thought that there would come a day my soul would not grieve for him. Now I know I will miss him the rest of my life.

I have thought about you and your family in these past horrifiying days. You taught me to be a better person and soldier, you never made it easy because of your high expectations that you knew I could always meet. You left me the best memories of my time in the army, one of the best NCO's (including Sgt Wilburn) I ever had the pleasure of working with. I'm so grateful for all the lessons you taught me. Your memory will live on in my heart as well as so many others. You are always missed.

Today is the fourth Memorial Day since you were Killed In Action and believe me, son , you are Not Forgotten. People may not leave comments on this site, however they sure do on Facebook. You touched so very many people during your life. I have said this before and will say it again, you were a better man than me. I am still trying to be more like I was before your death and I will never be completely there. I was, and am so extremely proud of you, Travis.

Thirty-five years ago today you came into our lives. In your short lifetime you touched so many people. We all miss you so very much. You will always be your Mom's hero.

Travis, I remember all the mischievousness you would get into when you were young. Most of all, your love for family and friends and the heart of gold. When I think of you, I see the blonde haired boy trying to sneak up for a scare through the doggy door or behind a door, around a corner and that cute laugh. Forever you will always bring a smile to me. Lee, Vicki, and Jenny my love and prayers sent daily. Alison Dee.

He was my baby. It didn't matter how tall he got he was still my baby. I miss his phone calls the most. He was such a good person. He was loved by so many. As time has gone by I find so many people that he touched. His touch was never soft it was a touch that will last a life time. He was a great son, brother, husband, father and soldier. I will never forget. I love you son.

You were an amazing soldier, leader, husband, father and friend. Our memories of you will never fade. Thank you for paying the ultimate sacrifice for us. You are forever remembered, thought about often, and always missed.

Forever in our hearts as your candle will "FOREVER SHINE"

When we met we United in a campaign to bring about the best platoon we could together. We angerd people. We changed the hearts and minds of those who shown the wronge way of being leaders. Our personalities fed off of each other's to drive us both to do better. Never had I met a brother who challange me the way that you did. Kept me humble and made me better for it. I'll never forget our time as brothers or the legacy that you have left behind. If I ever get to back in the military you will be an example I use as a leader and a friend. Un yealding in your values and commitment no matter the price you always did the right thing as will I. RIP brother we are watch your family the best we can as I know you are.

a good man. He was always either banned from my house or my husband was banned from his because the two of them were always up to something. A good friend, a great father and a man who loved his wife without reservation. Travis isn't the kind to ever go quietly in the night and his memory will linger in that small still voice that tells you right from wrong...even though he himself was neither small, nor still. 
Your light still burns bright friend. And I remember my promise.

I remember when he was stationed back at Sill I hadn't seen him yet and he walked up to me. It looked like in 5 yrs he grew another foot. It was so great to see that day and the days to fallow. Loved him he was so much a little brother to me.

Let him never be forgotten as with all others killed in action against our enemies. Enemies of Freedom and killers of decent people everywhere. He gave his life in a effort to give the people of Afghanistan a chance to have a better life. He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and soldier.