New Scholarship to Honor Fallen Great Falls Soldier

It is hard to believe that the Iraqi War began over 30 years ago.  As time passes, some wounds have healed, but others remain fresh in the memories of those that lost a loved one who served their country proudly.

via GIPHY

In Great Falls, Montana, the military holds special meaning for citizens, with the Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard.  Now, two women are joining forces to help honor and keep the memory of one soldier alive in the community.

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Great Falls Soldier Dies While Serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom

After graduation in Great Falls, Montana, Travis Arndt headed to Bozeman for the Montana State University and college classes.  Hoping to become a football coach or police officer, Arndt instead answered the call to serve his country abroad.

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Travis was assigned to the 163rd Cavalry Troop, 116th Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, Montana Army National Guard, Missoula, MT.  He was deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kirkuk, Iraq.

On September 21, 2005, Arndt and his fellow serviceman were called to help with a convoy operation.  According to the Associated Press in a report at the time:

Arndt, 23, was killed Sept. 21 when the armored vehicle transporting him rolled over in Kirkuk. A gunner, Arndt was sitting on top of the vehicle when it rolled and was crushed after getting caught in the netting. - Steve Salazar, stepbrother

According to Salazar at the time, Travis was due home in October of that year, "to surprise his girlfriend, Lindsay Logan, on her birthday, and possibly propose to her".

New Scholarship Fund Set Up with Great Falls High School and Paris Gibson

Though the proposal never came, Linsday has helped keep the memory of Travis Arndt alive.  She has now teamed with a former friend of Travis and have developed a new scholarship for a student at Great Falls High or from Paris Gibson Alternative School.

According to Linsday, though the military was a defining part of Travis's life, he also dreamed of opportunities through higher education.  The new scholarship will be "awarded to a student from Travis’s alma maters at Paris Gibson Education Center or Great Falls High School. It will continue his legacy of perseverance, selflessness, and love for others."

To help with the scholarship, tax deductible donations can be made by check or online. Please note on the comment box online or memo on a check that your donation is for the Travis Arndt Memorial Scholarship.  Learn more about it here.