Travis J Bradach-Nall |
||||||||
Portland, Oregon |
||||||||
July 2, 2003 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
Iraq. Bradachnall was killed in an explosion during a mine clearing operation near the city of Karbala. | ||||||||
For Some Memorial Service Snapshots, Click photo below:\ July 11, 2003 |
||||||||
Travis John Bradach-Nall Obituary BRADACH-NALL , USMC CORPORAL TRAVIS JOHN Written by Travis' cousins, Riley and Danny Bradach. Witty wisecracks, vibrant tattoos, and a priceless smile are just a few of the many things that made Travis Bradach-Nall the unique, caring, and unselfish young man that he was. His supportive nature, kind heart, and warm grin made him a valued part of a large extended family that always adored his sense of humor and risk-taking nature. While Travis may have been taken away from his loved ones prematurely, and no one will ever understand why, the memories created over his 21 years will last a lifetime; no one will ever forget the funny little kid he once was, the proud young man he became, and the respected adult he would one day be. Travis' kind and spontaneous personality earned him the title of 'Favorite' by many of his younger cousins. He could often be seen playing games and laughing with his younger relatives, and was always there to offer a helping hand when they needed him. Family members can clearly recall a little boy with blonde hair and coke-bottle glasses. Everyone remembers the little boy with a runny nose and an appetite for mischief-usually denoted by a set of clenched teeth, his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth in a Michael Jordan-like fashion. Born and raised in Northeast Portland, Travis enjoyed science fiction and anything that could conjure up laughter as a young boy. These facets of his personality led to his comprehensive knowledge of the entire script and plot for the Ghostbusters movies (especially the first of the two). He was a boy who liked to run around the neighborhood with toy guns and a handkerchief always in his pocket, leading his friends into mock battle scenarios as the self-appointed ''General''. He was always the first one into a spooky dark basement or even an abandoned building and the last one to walk away from a quarrel. While Travis certainly loved to lead and direct others, he was always just as happy to simply be part of the group. As a boy he basked in the company of others, whether it be recording mock newscasts with his little brother Nicklas on a tape deck, or running around aimlessly with one of his many cousins or friends. Travis always appreciated company and attracted it as well. After attending All Saints Catholic School, Travis headed to Grant High School. As he began to mature, Travis began to discover the world of music. While his classroom performance never did his true intellect justice, his abilities as a musician-namely a percussionist and vocalistwere in full bloom during his years at Grant. As a member of the marching band and the chorus, Travis found new ways to express himself and interact with likeminded people. While his primary preference was punk, Travis was open to many different kinds of music. As a drummer, different styles intrigued him. Travis never did anything half way. Since his younger days, he always focused his attention and effort on a few things. He took to these tasks with the goal of mastering the subject at hand. When he was young, it was Ghostbusters. When he was older, it was the United States Marine Corps. When asked, ''Why the Marines,'' Travis always gave the same, straightforward reply; ''Because they're the toughest and the strongest,'' he'd say. Travis never backed down from a challenge and thrived on pushing himself past his limits. Travis became a much more confident young man through his work in the USMC. Each visit home was a happy occasion for him and his family, and with each visit his friends and family could all see the strides he was making. He was proud of his growth as a person and so were those around him. His first visit home was one that the family will not forget; his late grandparents, Francis and Marilyn Bradach, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary when Travis waltzed in wearing his Marine uniform for the first time at a family gathering. Everyone was very proud of him that day, and that pride did not cease as Travis matured more and more. One of the many things Travis took away from the USMC was a desire to be his own man while serving others. He strove to be unique but always considered the needs of those around him as well. Travis expressed his interests and personality through his tattoos, something his mother, Lynn, became somewhat concerned about, as one might imagine. After getting three large tattoos in less than three years time, she said no more. However, on his next visit home, she noticed a bandage on his back and knew he didn't live up to his side of the deal. Travis removed the bandage and, to his mother's surprise, the tattoo was a heart with ''MOM'' written across it. Grinning, Travis explained, ''It seemed appropriate since you're always on my back.'' Travis' love for his mother was unconditional. While overseas, he never wanted to be the first to hang up, always saying, ''I love you, mama,'' when the conversation seemed to be drifting towards an end. In his last call home, Travis asked his mother if she'd be his date at the annual Marine Corps Ball in Las Vegas. Travis died serving his country, but his true loyalty was at home with his family. Above all things living were his mother and younger brother. Travis' pride for his family was never a secret. While deployed in the Middle East he wrote home, telling his aunts and uncles to warn boys interested in his female cousins. ''If a tattooed Marine doesn't scare him,'' Travis wrote, ''I don't know what will.'' Travis also regularly requested pictures of his family above any other material good. He always made mention of how much he appreciated pictures. During his service in the United States Marine Corps, Travis began to truly blossom as a writer and his interest in the written language increased as time went on. His letters home dripped with a combination of wit and sarcasm that usually left the lucky recipient in stitches. Travis looked to improve upon his writing when he returned from his tour as a Marine, hoping to join his brother and cousin at Southern Oregon University where he had hoped to study English and eventually become a high school teacher. He was a member of a family who loved him more than words could say, more than newscasters could ever illustrate and more so than this obituary could ever convey. Although our hearts are broken, we will always remember you, Travis, and in your memory we will find the strength to move on. Thank you for being there during the good times-and even the not-so-good times-and being a part of all of our lives. You touched more people than you will ever know. Your family is so proud of the young man you became and forever thankful for everything you are to us. We love you very much and will always miss you. You will be in our thoughts and prayers every day for as long as we shall live, and someday we will certainly meet again. Our memories of you will be cherished forever, and we will always love you, Travis. Travis is survived by his mother, Lynn; his younger brother, Nicklas; his father, Gary; 18 aunts and uncles; more than 20 first cousins; his grandparents, John and Cecil Nall; and many other relatives on both sides of his family that loved him very much. He will truly be missed and his life will never be forgotten. A memorial vigil service will be held Thursday, July 10, at 7 p.m. at All Saints Catholic Church (3847 NE Glisan, Portland). The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, July 11, at 11 a.m. at All Saints. Rite of Committal with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery will immediately follow the Funeral Mass. Memorial contributions to Doernbecher Children's Hospital or the Raphael House. Published in The Oregonian on July 10, 2003 |
||||||||
Cpl. Travis J. Bradach-Nall, 21, of Portland, Ore., was remembered as a dedicated soldier who volunteered to stay in Iraq for an extra three months because there was more work to be done. Bradach-Nall was killed during a mine-clearing operation July 2 near the south-central city of Karbala. Gov. Ted Kulongoski, himself a former Marine, called Bradach-Nall a "brother-in-arms. Someone the Marines could trust to stand with them and stand his ground." Friends and family remembered Bradach-Nall as a fun-loving, courageous man with a love for music and a sense of adventure. "He was always smiling," uncle Sam Bradach said. "He had that sense of joy in whatever he did." As a boy, Bradach-Nall and his cousins had water fights, made fireworks and pretended to hunt for ghosts, cousin Nicklas Nass said. A 2000 graduate of Grant High School, Bradach-Nall wrestled, played drums and sang in the choir. He had a large collection of tattoos, including one depicting a passage about shedding blood for one''s brothers. "He was just a good kid," said Cpl. Justin Lamb, who served in Bradach-Nall''s platoon. Bradach-Nall was to return to Camp Pendleton in Southern California shortly after major combat operations ended on May 1. He had planned to go to college and learn how to fly a helicopter, Lamb said. But when Bradach-Nall heard more help was needed, he volunteered to stay an extra three months, said family friend Robert Joki. Published online on Jan. 28, 2005 |
||||||||
From The New York Times nytimes.com
07/27/03:
AFTER THE WAR: LOSS; Fighting in Iraq Is Continuing, But at Home, Grief Just Begins |
||||||||
AP News
Travis J. Bradach-Nall had been scheduled to leave Iraq shortly after major combat ended on May 1. He planned to go to college and learn to fly a helicopter. But when he heard more help was needed, he volunteered to stay three more months. The platoon wasn't surprised by his decision, said Cpl. Jose Hernandez. "He would always step in and take his spot." Bradach-Nall, of Portland, died July 2 in an explosion during a mine-clearing operation. The adventurous young soldier played drums, loved punk rock and drove his mother up the wall with a series of tattoos. Lynn Bradach finally laid down the law to her firstborn: No more tattoos. Bradach recalls the dust-up when her boy showed up with a new gauze bandage. She refused to look but eventually relented. The tattoo was a heart with a single word: "Mom." |
||||||||
Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away
Copyright 2003-2015 Q Madp PO Box 86888 Portland OR 97286-0888 www.OurWarHeroes.org