Army Sergeant Travis Arndt always gave 100 percent in all that he did.  His stepmother, Rita Salazar, said he loved life and did the best at everything he put his mind to.  “He was very proud of what he was doing.  I believe in what the troops are doing.  They are there because they believe they can make a difference.”

Arndt, 23, took classes at Montana State University.  Rita said he wanted to be a teacher, but recently decided to pursue a career in law enforcement after his service.

Arndt was set to come home on leave on October 7, 2005.  Rita believes he was going to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Lindsay Logan, on her October 10th birthday. Rita called Logan “the love of his life.” 

Arndt was assigned to 163rd Cavalry Troop, 116th Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division.  He died in an accident on September 21, 2005 during convoy operations in Kirkuk, Iraq. 

“He was a wonderful kid,” said Rita. “He was most known for his smile.” Rita said Arndt was a happy and responsible person.  She said he loved to dance, fish and he spent a lot of time at the river where he shared his passion with others as a river guide. 

“He loved his family and his friends -- Travis loved life,” said Rita.  “He had a plan to have a big barbeque when he came home from Iraq.  I plan on doing that after the holidays.”