Corporal Travis C. Dodson
Age:23
Travis Dodson was born on October 14, 1985. He has an infectious smile and charming personality that has endeared him to everyone. Travis is very athletic, riding a two wheeler bike by age three. He is an avid golfer and competed with the Deming Golf Team from eighth grade through his Senior year. He graduated from Deming High School in 2004 and attended New Mexico Military Institute for his freshman year of college.
Travis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August of 2005 and graduated from boot camp in San Diego that November. He was assigned to the 2nd battalion 3rd Marines as a machine gunner, stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Travis was deployed to Iraq September 12, 2006. On Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Travis was severely wounded in combat. Please keep Travis and his family in your prayers.
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Friday, Feb. 13, 2009
Has it really been 2 years? Twice this week someone at school has told me they have been thinking a lot about Travis and I ask "why's that?" Then I felt sorta silly when my brain clicked on Valentine's Day. I lifted up a prayer to God, saying thank you for how far He has brought us and that we will always be surrounded at this time of year by hearts to remind us of God's love for us, our love for each other, and how lovely you all have been in caring for us.
Travis is in the midst of exiting out of the military. I believe the proper term is that he will be "medically retired." Throughout December and January he had medical evaluations to determine the full extent of his disabilities after this time of rehabilitation. He is now waiting for the process to be completed and hopes to be home by April. If you were able to read the Houston Chronicle article, you know that he is hoping to start school at the University of Arizona in the fall and be part of their wheelchair racing team.
As for the prosthetic legs, both Travis and the military gave it 100%, but it just didn't work. Picture yourself trying to lift a long pole with one hand, holding it just at the end, and you will have an idea of the struggle to control prosthetic legs with short residual limbs. But God has graciously given Travis the attitude to accept what he cannot change.
As I mentioned last week, Travis and I have decided to end the weekly updates. I will miss 'talking' to you every week, but I will never forget you. Thank you for praying for us and thank you for caring for us. If you are not in a Bible study, I hope you will take time to read and study God's word. I pray God will be glorified in your lives and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Love, Cheryl Kae, Casey, Travis, Lauren, Haley & Chris (and our little one)