By Mandy McFarland Editor
WAKARUSA — Wakarusa’s Memorial Park will soon live up to its name in a new way with the creation of the  the SSG Travis Hunsber Wakarusa War Memorial.
Less than a year ago, Army SSG Travis Hunsberger paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Afghanistan with his special forces unit. Since then, the family has had their faith and their memories to comfort them in the hard times. Now, they want to do something that will serve other Wakarusa families who have sacrificed a loved one in service to their country.

Travis's father, Steve Hunsberger, revealed plans for the garden in December at a meeting of the Wakarusa Town Council. Work had to go on hold due to the onset of winter, but with summer on its way, work has begun in earnest.
For a family still feeling the loss of a son and brother, a project like this one holds a special meaning.
“This is something special for our family, personal for us to have here in Wakarusa," Hunsberger said. "For us in the family to have a place to go that’s very very special for us to be able to do that but then also to be able to realize so many things we’ve learned in the last four and a half years"
However, Hunsberger hopes the garden will not only honor his son, but other soldiers who have had connections to Wakarusa.
“It is open to the public,” Hunsberger said. “It will be the Wakarusa War Memorial that will be representative for all those that have served, not just my son.”
The family is hard at work compiling the names of all who have served in the Armed Forces who have connections to Wakarusa, even if they never set foot in the town. They plan to engrave the names into 8-inch by 8-inch paving stones. So far they have compiled between 100 and 150 names, but are looking for more.
“We want to try as much as we could to keep it as much in the Wakarusa area,” Hunsberger said, “but if there are ties to the Wakarusa area, those names are going in there.”
The goal is to have the garden done by as close to the end of June as possible, close to June 27, the date Travis was killed in action.
“I think that is why timing is so important,” Hunsberger said.
The Hunsbergers continue to compile names of soldiers with Wakarusa ties. Anyone who has a name they would like to contribute can call Dough Stahl at 862-2940.
The family plans a special dedication  ceremony upon completion of the garden.
The family welcomes donations to the SSG Travis Hunsberger Memorial Fund through Interra Credit Union. Funds will go toward completion of the memorial garden project.