Sergeant First Class (Retired) Travis Cain will forever be remembered for his love, devotion, and brutal honesty. A native of Canon City, Colorado, Travis traveled the country and world through military service, eventually returning and living the remainder of his life in his hometown. A truly unique man that had relationships all over the world, while simultaneously maintaining friendships with his elementary school classmates. 

Even as a young boy Travis enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and exploring in the mountains. Travis would leave school on his bicycle and head to the Arkansas River with a fishing pole, staying out until he had to return home at dark. He was always known as a “hell raiser”, causing mischief and making his Mom and family worry about him, sometimes needing to be bailed out of trouble. He joined the US Army at 17 years old, ultimately taking pride in the fact that he became an elite, decorated Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant with a GED. 

Travis served his first duty station in Fairbanks, Alaska as an infantry mortarman (11C). He often shared stories of his early time in the Army, some of which were so outlandish you would question if they were entirely true. But Travis kept in contact with many of the men from his first duty stations, and they can verify those tales if you connect with them.

Eventually, Travis realized his ambition of becoming something more elite, attending and 

graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course. There are dozens of stories told of those times as well. Travis continued on to become an 18D, a Special Forces Medical Sergeant, learning trauma medicine and life saving techniques that saved countless lives in combat. Travis found 

himself in numerous emergency situations that affected civilian lives as well, because he was the kind of man that stopped to provide aid when others would not. 

SFC Cain spent the majority of his time with the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Carson, CO, serving on Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 0215, 0225 and the Maritime Operations Detachment. The men that served with him refer to him as a leader that always held them 

accountable; a man that they followed because they trusted him and he was true to his word. A man that would run straight into a gunfight, a man that would never ask someone to do something he would not do himself, a man that will inspire soldiers through his stories for years to come. 

To summarize Travis’s military career is impossible, but during his 5 combat deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Africa he received many awards and medals to include the Bronze Star for Valor, Bronze Star Medal w/ 1 OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor,  Army Commendation Medal w/ combat device, Army Commendation Medal w/ 2 OLC, Army Achievement Medal w/ Combat Device, Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award) and NATO Medal. Travis’s Badges include the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab, 

Parachutist Badge, Special Operations Diver Badge and Special 

Forces Diver Supervisor Badge. Travis considered the epitome of his career as serving as the 

Operations Sergeant for SF ODA 0225 during an Afghanistan deployment in 2016. He retired 

honorably after nearly 21 years of service.

One of Travis’s favorite deployment stories was how he met his wife, Sarah. He often said “I like our love story the best” with a smile on his face, telling the story of how they met in Baghdad, Iraq. They had a fourteen year relationship full of adventures and lessons, loving each other 

unconditionally through obstacles and raising three beautiful children together. Travis was a 

devoted and fiercely protective father, always taking the kids on adventures and bringing home “surprises” nearly every time he left the house. He was proud of the young adult his oldest 

daughter, Hailey, is becoming and the friendship they were forming. 

Travis enjoyed a good party, turning a regular weekend BBQ into a 50 person gathering, cooking up some of the best steaks and ribs on the grill. As a devoted member of the motorcycle community, he had friends and ties with numerous motorcycle organizations and clubs throughout the 

country. Known in the community as “Trash”, he could walk in a room and strike up a 

conversation with anyone, making you feel like the most important person in the room because of his presence in the conversation. He was known for his warm hugs and sideways, beautiful smile. Travis was the man that you could always count on to answer the phone, spending hours 

conversing and offering support when needed. Everyone valued his advice.

Despite his own struggles from a lifetime of sacrificing for his country and others, Travis was a mental health advocate. He had long, deep conversations with other veterans and friends to help them address their own struggles and seek treatment. There is no doubt Travis has impacted and benefited more lives than one can imagine. The loss of Travis will be felt by an enormous 

community for a very long time, but the memories and lessons we learned from him will stay with us forever. By sharing those stories, we honor him and keep his spirit alive. 

Travis will be lovingly remembered by his wife Sarah, daughters Hailey and Reagan, son Jason, mother Terri, father Daniel, brother Jeff, sister Sarah, aunts and uncles, cousins, numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews, and the dozens of friends he considered brothers. Travis was preceded in death by his grandparents, Bill and Rose, his Uncle David, numerous friends and teammates, including SGM Ryan Sartor and SFC Tony Thornsbury. May he be at peace, reunited with his fellow heroes and friends.