by Realle Roth
Evan’s red hair, freckled face and glasses make him look like a regular joe. He loves his wife and playing with his black lab named Sabbath. His job is any little boys dream: getting paid to blow things up.
But everyday Evan can’t get the images and sounds of losing his best friend, Travis out of his mind. Travis died while the two were serving in Iraq together.
Evan joined the United States Marine Corps in 2000 as a combat engineer. He spent the better part of 2003 in Iraq.
Evan recently got a memorial tattoo on his calf to remember his friend by. It helps him stay grounded and to remember that freedom isn’t free.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about Travis’ sacrifice for me and for the country we live in,” Evan said.
Evan's tribute to his fallen friend
photo: courtesy of Evan
While he was in Iraq his then girlfriend Liz was going to KU. Evan planned on going to KU when he got out just as his grandfather had done. He wanted to be close to Liz and he eventually married her.
“I grew up a KU fan and it was the only school I applied to when I got out of the military,” Evan said.
He went to KU for three years when he got out but did not enjoy life outside the military. He said many of his friends went through the same thing. They were used to having a routine and having everything planned out for them. There were too many decisions to make in civilian life. He didn’t think he could relate as well to others after he returned from Iraq.
Evan has rejoined the military but his time in the Army branch. He is currently an explosive ordinance disposal tech or more simply- he’s on the bomb squad.
“I get paid to play with explosives. Who could have a better job?” Evan said.
He lives in Texas now with Liz and Sabbath. Liz is going to school still and will be able to use what is left of Evan’s GI Bill from KU.
“It’s going to really help us out. I will get full tuition assistance plus around $1000 a month,” Liz said.
Evan and Liz
photo: courtesy of Evan
Liz and Evan both plan on eventually teaching. Evan was an education and history major when he attended KU. He thinks he will finish he degree online and hopes to teach American history to kids.
When asked if he had any last words Evan recited his favorite quote from Winston Churchill: I like a man who grins when he fights.
“Typical Marine,” Evan said grinning.