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Remarkable story of devotion and sacrifice

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    Power Player of the Week: Travis Manion Foundation

  • Duration 4:56
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It's all too easy to think a Memorial Day weekend as the start of summer -- time for barbecues and other family get togethers.

But of course there is a much deeper meaning to this holiday.

Here is our power player of the.

Every day Memorial Day today and and I think it's important that every -- Memorial Day to the rest of this country.

Brian menu and knows all about devotion to country and the sacrifice -- demand because her family has lived it.

She and her younger brother Travis grew up in the military.

They are dad Tom was a marine.

The first song that.

My brother and I -- I ever remember -- -- about seeing -- -- -- ahead.

Okay.

From -- -- -- that everything he did.

He went to the Naval Academy and tending to follow in his father's footsteps.

The attack on 9/11 only deepened his resolve.

He wanted to be in the fight he wanted to be.

Be there with his men he wanted to get out and and go as quickly as he can.

Travis was on a second tour in Iraq in 2007.

When his unit was ambushed in Fallujah.

The first lieutenant was rescuing some others wounded comrades.

When he was killed by a sniper.

He had exposed himself he did -- -- -- occasions to save some as commerce and infect all of them survived -- when the family learned of his death back in -- town Pennsylvania they were devastated.

But also determined.

We've got to work together to make sure that that Travis -- legacy lives on.

And we got honor him the way he would -- to be honored.

His mother Janet started the Travis Kenyan foundation.

And it was what kept her going.

I feel some comfort in the fact of knowing that.

He died.

For his country and he loved what he did.

The goal is to honor the fallen by challenging the living.

Through private donations and corporate sponsorships from companies like GM and Comcast.

They provide challenge grants.

One went to the family of Lance corporal Shane Harris who was killed in 2006.

For a project in Guatemala.

They build a house for -- -- -- -- family in like five days.

And the only thing that is that you know that shows that it was for Shane Harris is this tiny little plaque above the door and it says in memory -- Harris.

But in 2010.

The Manny -- faced another tragedy.

When navy seal Brendon looney Travis is best friend and roommate at the Naval Academy.

Was killed in Afghanistan.

The two families decided to bury their boys together at Arlington national cemetery.

There's nothing more beautiful than knowing that that they play together with all these warriors adherence and that their side by side just.

Like it worth the -- and me.

Last Memorial Day President Obama visited their graves.

And talked about their devotion to duty brother.

Sacrifice.

-- -- But the story doesn't end there.

Last September Janet menu and was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.

She fought for nine months while continuing to run the foundation.

Before she finally succumbed in April just days before the fifth anniversary of -- -- -- death.

In her will there was one special directive.

But the Travis -- foundation continues aren't.

-- family and friends.

Ryan menu and took over from her -- Could continue finding ways to carry on her brother's legacy.

I don't know how many times I've had the -- said to me in the last three weeks since my mom died.

Well you've got some big shoes to -- and and I do and I couldn't be more proud.

That feeling that I have.

And so Ryan and the rest of her spam -- -- this Memorial Day at Arlington.

Honoring Travis and Brendan.

And all the others.

Don't be afraid.

To go up to a family that you know has lost a -- going in the war and just say thank you because just knowing that people remember.

Is it is one of the greatest -- that that a family of the fallen can have.

After we talked Ryan gave me this bracelet.

It has the names of travelers and Brandon and this inscription.

Warriors for freedom.

Brother is for -- If you'd like to find out more about the Travis man -- foundation you can go to the website -- nanny and dot com and sometime this weekend remember what Ryan said.

Just say thanks to those who gave their lives.

For our freedom.

We'll see -- -- Fox News.

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