Travis grew up working on row crop farms in southern Illinois and hearing stories of his grandparents farms they grew up on as well which created the inspiration in him to have his own farm as an adult. Unfortunately his grandparents childhood farms were long gone and for this dream to come true he would have to start his own from scratch. Travis was also influenced by his grandpa’s stories of the Army as a child, leading him to join the Army as an active duty soldier at 17 years old and delay the plans for his own farm about 12 more years.
Travis asked Chrissy to marry him her senior year of high school, she graduated early, married Travis and the adventure began. Countless hardships, numerous missed birthdays, several missed anniversaries, many missed holidays with loved ones, 25 states, 21 mailing addresses, 10 countries, 7 duty stations, 4 continents, 3 deployments, 2 kids, and 1 wife to keep his life together and kids safe in his absence sums up his Army experience quite well. That same wife kept the farm dream alive when the Army moved him unexpectedly to a new duty station and kept it running for 3 years while he would drive home on weekends to do any chores that Chrissy wasn’t able to perform.
Travis has now served nearly 17 years and plans to retire from the Army in 2026 with 20 years of service. 20 years in the Army doesn’t seem temporary but in Travis and his family’s mind it sure is, and they have enjoyed his time in the Army but they are just ready to start the next chapter in their lives. “It is an honor to serve this nation, it’s citizens, and the American companies that have supported me through my career! Thank you for the honor and privilege to serve you!”