Travis J Bradach-Nall

Portland, Oregon

July 2, 2003

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."

Click On Small Photo Below For Snapshots Of the Memorial Service

July 11, 2003