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 .