Travis S. Bachman enlisted in the Kansas National Guard fourteen years ago. Last year he deployed to Iraq with the 714^th Security Force Company, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Last week, Staff Sgt. Travis S. Bachman was killed while overseas.

"Sgt. Bachman has made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his country," said Gov. Sebelius. "We honor that sacrifice and send our thoughts and prayers to his family."

The Garden City resident is survived by his wife, Amber, three children, and his parents, Rodney and Connie Bachman.

To honor Sgt. Bachman, the Governor ordered flags throughout the state lowered to half staff from sun-up to sun-down Saturday.

Since April 2003, according to the Governor's Office, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed the lives of nine members of the Kansas National Guard and seven Kansas servicemen.