Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 131, Number 29, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 17 July 2008 — Page 3

HERO, continued from front pag«

Speicher said. "He came back and he just collapsed on our apartment floor. He was completely out of breath and we were like, 'where were you?" And he was like, 'I was running and lifting weights,' and when I asked him why, he said, 'I was getting a head start. 1 want to be ready.'" Hunsberger and Speicher met their junior year of high school. Though they attended different schools, they remained close friends. "He was just a fun loving guy," Speicher said. "He had fun no matter what he did. He could be doing the worst task and find a way to get a laugh out of it. He really was a child at heart. (But) when it was time to be serious, no one was more serious than him." According to Speicher, while Hunsberger's derision to join the Army was surprising as far as timing, it made sense. "It was something he always talked about," Speicher said. "Timing wise 1 didn't see it coming, but I wasn't surprised. Once he made up his mind, man did he throw himself into it." The news of Hunsberger's death hit Speicher hard. "Initially, I didn't believe it," he said. "Then it felt like someone had just slugged me in the gut. And I don't even know if it's hit me yet that my best friend's gone." Army Sergeant First Class Keith Nile often found himself admiring Hunsberger's determination and ability, despite the fact that Nile has three years' more experience. "He was just eager," Nile said. "He put a lot more effort into his job than the average person. We always helped each other out and he knew his job really well." Despite the fact that they were stationed at different bases, Nile and Hunsberger

Court Reports July 2 •Robin D. Dubbs, 44, Elkhart seat belt violation (driver), $25 •Amy S. Ellis, 25, Nappanee, seat belt violation (driver), $25 •Daniel J. Manges, 20, Nappanee, consumption of alcohol by a minor, $260 July 3 •Lisa M. Anglemyer, 35, North Webster, speeding, $126.50 •Thomas M. Flynn, 35, Fort Wayne, speeding, $12.50 •Tiffany M. Garcia, 22, Hammond, driving while license suspended (infraction), SSO •Tiffany M. Garcia, 22, Hammond, speeding, $125.50 • Larry W. Miller, 62, Nappanee, dog running at large, $lB5 •Brittany E. Rabel, 24, Nappanee, child restraint (under 4), $25

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always found ways to hang out and help one another. "He had set up the Army vehicles a certain way with radios and computers," Nile said, "I went to him and said, 'how did you do that?’ He was extremely helpful; he helped me more than I helped him." Nile described the day he learned of Hunsberger's death. Hunsberger had just been deployed again to Afghanistan, and Nile was preparing to join him. "I felt like I had a responsibility," he said. "All I could think about was the family." One of his first thoughts was to contact the Hunsbergers, but not right away, he decided. "I gave them a little bit of time before I called them," he said. "I waited until the next day, until everybody found out." For Hunsberger's family, a major source of comfort has been the support from friends, family, Army personel and the community. "One of the things that had impressed (wife) Ronda and I was the tremendous outpouring from the community of Nappanee and Wakarusa," Hunsberger's father, Steve, said. "Not just the day of bringing Travis home from the airport, but just the phone calls and people showing up; people we didn't even know." For the Hunsberger family, faith and what Steve called "God experiences" have been a major source of comfort. An example was a photo of Hunsberger placed on display during the funeral set against a backdrop of a sunset. The day the family learned of his death, a brilliant sunset lit the sky over their house, much like in the photo display. "It was not circumstantial. It was not just by accident," Steve said. "I believe that God

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was just re-emphasizing to Ronda and I that, 'l've got everything under control and Travis is fine, and he's here by my side. He's resting, and he's OK.'" For the Hunsbergers, that sunset was like a sign, though that is not the word they choose to use. "Sign is not a strong enough word," Steve said. "Affirmation is the word to use. It could have been a cloudy day. That sunset was a beautiful ending to a lousy day for our family." In the midst of their grief, it is these moments that have helped Hunsberger's family and friends celebrate his life even as they mourn his death. "I still can't believe he's gone," Speicher said. "It still doesn't seem real. But at the same time it gives me peace because he died doing what he loved. How many people in the world find what they want to do and then have the. dedication and determination to pursue it?" The Tuesday following the funeral, Army special forces personnel, along with family members and friends Hunsberger knew in high school and college, gathered at his parents' home. "We just hajj a wonderful time of being together that evening, celebrating Travis's life," Steve said. "Some people might not understand that. They were blowing up fireworks and they were just laughing and having a good time being together and celebrating Travis and celebrating his life." While laughter and celebrating may seem out of place on such an occasion, for the Hunsbergers it made perfect sense. "It did Ronda and I a world of good to have them there in our home laughing because

July 7 •Bryan M. Barrick, 37, Goshen, speeding, $131.50 •Stephen Cochrane, 19, Nappanee, curfew violation, $lB5 •Kayla M. Ellis, 21, Nappanee, seat belt violation (passenger), $25 July 8 •Lisa G. Belmont, 40, Nappanee, dog running at large, $l6O •Jose M. Fuentes, 38, Syracuse, driving while license suspended (prior), $460.50 •John D. Moore, 45, Nappanee, seat belt violation, $25

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we've had an awful lot of crying going on," Steve said. "And Travis was not a perfect son; as human beings we all fall short, but knowing that Travis's life has touched so many lives and has had such an impact has touched Ronda and I." Nile was at both the funeral and the gathering afterwards. "Overall, just being there was the most surreal thing I've ever experienced," he said. "It seemed like the whole state come out to supKort him. He definitely got onored as a hero. I couldn't imagine it being any better than that under the horrible circumstances." When Nile met the family at the airport prior to services. Their strength touched him in a unique way. "The first time I got to meet Steve at the airport was while we were waiting for the remains to come," he said. "Honestly, they handled it way better than I would have. They were just amazing. I felt like they comforted me better than 1 was able to comfort them." Nile hopes to remain in contact with the family as time moves on. "They feel like kind of my extended family now," he said. "We don't want them to feel like it was just a one-time thing. They're family now." The Hunsbergers hope that their son's story will inspire those who hear it. "We've always been patriotic and we've always loved our country," Steve said, "but we now know what that price of freedom means because it has hit home." Hunsberger is survived by his wife, Hannah; parents: Steve and Ronda; brother, Kyle and sister, Kelsey; and grandparents: Kenneth and Ruth Bemiller and Kelly and Deannie Hunsberger.

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Advance News • Thursday, July 17, 2008

FAIRy continued from front page

shows, a bam museum, old-fashioned craft demonstrations and lively Bamball games. Harness racing will take place in the festival arena Saturday, July 19 at 11 a.m. featuring the 3-year-old classic and the Joe Blocker Memorial Race; Monday, July 21 at 11 a.m.; and Tuesday, July 22 at 11 a.m. with the Maple City Trot and the Harley Yoder Golden 50th Anniversary Race. A complete listing of other entertainment can also be found in the "Wa-Nee at the Fair" pull-out section featured in this week's "Advance News." A highlight of each year is the parade, which will take place Sunday, July 20. Lineup will begin in downtown Goshen. The parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will pass the fair's grandstand at approximately 2:15 p.m. Sprinkled throughout will be youth talent contests, senior baking contests, frog jumping, three-on-three basketball, health demonstrations, a Ronald McDonald show and more. Wa-Nee at the fair Members of the Wa-Nee community can also visit the various 4-H exhibits, from livestock, poultry and horses to scrapbooking, cooking and baking. Students from throughout Nappanee and Wakarusa will show their animals and display their work all 10 days of the fair, with livestock judging and auctions throughout. Just a few examples of places where community members might find projects by Wa-Nee 4-H'ers include dairy feeder, beef, swine, goats, rabbits, indoor exhibits and more. Those who work up an appetite walking in and out between the exhibits can visit the Nappanee Noon Kiwanis or any number of food vendors dispersed around the fairgrounds. Special days The fair features several special discount days, including Senior Citizens Days, Armed Forces Day and, of course, Wristband Days, where fairgoers can purchase a sl7 wristband beginning at opening time and ride rides for the rest of the afternoon. Wristband days will be Friday, July 18 from 12:30 to 11 p.m.; Monday, July -21 from 1 to 11 p.m.; Thursday, July 24 from 1 to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, July 26 from noon to 6 p.m. Wristbands will be available until 9 p.m. each of these days. Senior citizen days include Friday, July 18 and Tuesday, July 22 until 3 p.m. both days. Veterans Day will be Friday, July 18. Sunday, July 20 will be free admission day for everyone, with no charge at the gates. All rides will cost only $1 each from 1 p.m. to closing Wednesday, July 23 for Kids’ Day. A Super Special Kiddieland wristband will be available for sl2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m for the Kiddieland rides only.

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