Mission BBQ Honors Fallen Air Force Airmen First Class Harper
Mission BBQ restaurant located at 2217 E. 81st Ave in Hobart Wednesday night held a tribute for fallen Air Force First Class David Travis Harper. Mission BBQ Restaurant is primarily based around their support for all Military and First Responders, said General Manager Bonnie Hardesty & Deanna Fowler Community Ambassador. As you enter the restaurant the walls are filled with pictures, patches, and memories from those who have served.
Wednesday evening in Hobart was exceptionally special as Mission BBQ added their first tribute to their Gold Star Wall for fallen heros. In attendance Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor, Suzy Barnhart Fiancé to First Class Airmen David Travis Harper, Marine Corp League of Hobart, Mission One, Patriot Guard members, along with friends and Veterans from the area. Harper originally from Hammond was the first to be added to this wall at this location.
Harper enlisted in the Air Force in December of 1991. During basic training Harper obtained the title of Expert Marksman. During this time he got engaged to his long time friend Suzy Barnhart. Harper then went on to serve at Ellisworth Air Force Base as an Inventory Specialist which included guarding the weapons, making sure they got to the right people. During this time Harper & Barnhart were blessed with their son Derek. After a little over a year Harper was able to come home before being transferred to Osan Air Force base outside of Seoul, Korea. That would be the last time Barnhart was able to see him. Harper lost his life while in Korea serving that stemmed from a domestic situation on December 19th, 1993.
At the ceremony Wednesday Barnhart, Mayor Snedecor, and Mission BBQ spoke about what this meant to each of them and sacrifices those that serve make. Marine Corps League followed up with a salute fired outside the restaurant followed by Taps on the bugle.
Barnhart who became emotional during the ceremony said, “I’m honored to be apart of his life, it seems I only had a minute and it was gone in a blink.” The struggles she endured with this tragedy at such a young age and raising a son on her own during this was something no one should have to go through.
