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Carlos Osorio / AP
Chloe Mills, 1-year-old daughter of Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills and his wife Kelsey, crawls past her father's walking legs in his boyhood home in Vassar, Mich., on Oct. 4, 2012.
Carlos Osorio / AP
Travis Mills plays with his daughter Chloe.
The Associated Press reports from Vassar, Mich. — Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills had been a lot of places since losing his four limbs in Afghanistan. The one place he hadn't been was where people knew him best.
He finally returned to his Michigan hometown this week — six months after the explosion that cost him his arms and legs — to serve as the grand marshal of his old high school's homecoming parade.
"This is my new normal, and it's all about how I adjust to it," he said moments after using his prosthetic legs to walk from the living room to the sun room at his childhood home. "There's no good that's gonna come from me sitting there and wondering, 'Why'd this happen? Why me? Now what do I do?' The answer's right in front of you: It happened because it happened." Read the full story.
Visit Travis Mills' web page to learn more about his road to recovery.
Related links:
- At long last: Remains of soldiers killed in World War II put to rest
- Wounded warriors show grit, determination on journey to recovery
- Funeral for a New Jersey soldier killed in Afghanistan
Carlos Osorio / AP
Mills, right, is helped with his home legs by his father, Dennis Mills.
Carlos Osorio / AP
Kelsey Mills helps her husband navigate the newly installed ramp at his boyhood home.
Carlos Osorio / AP
Travis Mills rides in the back of a Jeep during the homecoming parade on Thursday, Oct. 4. Mills, his wife, Kelsey, and their 1-year-old daughter, Chloe, were the grand marshals of Vassar High School's homecoming parade.
Carlos Osorio / AP
Julie Best, a friend of Travis Mills, cheers as he rides in the homecoming parade.
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Brought a tear to my eye. This is why we need to constantly be confronted with the horrors of war. We owe this man whatever he needs.
It really breaks my heart to see good people like this suffer over a lie. I hope Dick Cheney is spending all that money he made from Halliburton, gee maybe he could throw some money toward this fine young American who gave his all, while someone like Cheney who had better things to do than go to Viet Nam, couldn't even begin to fathom what it's like to give your life for your country. Why we still haven't gone after bush/cheney over something this treasonous? Dick if your out there reading this, F*^K you.
You do realize that Cheney would have been turned down for service anyway, don't you. Bad heart and all that? If I remember correctly Clinton had better things to do also, including attending to his aides rather than go after Al Qeida when they were much weaker. Shows you what the 'Make Love - Not War' idea got us.
I admire a guy who will fight for his country . but this war is unjust Iraq and Afghanistan had nothing to do with 9/11 both were created with lies by the bush administration from the top on down. Nothing in Afghanistan or Iraq threatened our country or our freedoms in any way. these are wars not sanctioned/ declared by congress , bush decided congress does not have to play that role any more.
if anything he is a victim of Republican foreign policy.
The real enemy is the corporations profiting from these wars
I agree, Scott. Sgt. Travis is brave, but Iraq and Afghanistan didn't attack America, so he didn't defend us. He did, however, defend corporate interests.
I guess the 3000 who died in the towers didn't cross his mind when he signed up. Just whether Haliburton would reward him with a job, right? They attacked us numerous times before 9-11, each time they hit harder. If teh USA had ignored them after 9-11 the next attack would have been horrific. He damn well did defend us, and deserves the ever lasting gratitude of this country, and whatever help he and all the other wounded deserve.
Scott: Whenever a president is allowed to bypass the constitution, sooner or later, one will upset you. Did Clinton get Congressional approval for Bosnia? Obama for Libya? Reagan for Grenada? Bush for Panama? LBJ-Vietnam? Truman in Korea? Notice some of those (in fact most of those) were Democrats. If people had put there foot down in 1949 and stopped Truman, and made him actually get a Declaration of War, maybe the lst 10 wouldn't have happened. Some still may have. Quit giving the presidents you like extra power and you will find that you aren't quite as upset when the 'other' party takes power.
Worship teh Constitution, not a party.
It was primarily Saudis who attacked us on 9-11.
You are correct in noting that both Republican and Democratic presidents have blood dripping from their hands.
Amen, Scott....
Good day to all of you ! This young man (as well as many,many others) have served our country and us as individuals this military war which has changed their lives forever. We have all had someone we love that have made the ultimite sacrifice to protect this great country we call home. Do I believe that we should be in this mess in so many different countries (who will assume we will be there and pay for rebuilding their country in the aftermath) My answer is a big resounding NO!!! I thank these brave men and women for defending our freedoms and our borders. That being said-I DON'T understand why it is ALWAYS the USA being sent to "save" these other countries while ours is falling apart around us. We have homeless people in every city of ever state!! I just saw a veteran standing on the side of the road begging for money to help feed his family!! Is this the way we should treat our veterans?? I think not!!
It IS possible for us to respect these heros and their sacrifices with out supporting the wars! The wars are in the end-politics ! These sacrifices of life and limb we hear about daily are PERSONAL; loss and have nothing to do with politics-It is VERY personal for these brave humans giving there efforts,their loyalty and the sacrifices they have endured!
WE CAN SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES without supporting the wars! So-to ALL veterans,active military and their families THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SACRIFICES AND PLEASE COME HOME SOON !!
These kind of stories make me so sad, because this man lost his limbs in a war that is a travesty.
No amount words by any stranger could ever Thank you (and your family) enough for what you have done and gone through to protect and serve our country. Staff Sgt. Mills you and your fellow soldiers are so priceless to our nation because you grace our entire country with your presence, protection and dedication. That is not something you have to do, are asked to do or are forced to do, you chose to do this for us, not just your family but your friends, your neighbors and your country alike. We are all truly blessed and lucky to have you and others like you. Saying Thank you feels so small- it is just not enough. My heart goes out to you and is with you always. Love from myself and my family here in Maine
What a great small town to come home to! It doesn't matter what we well think. It is important that he knows that he did not lose his limbs for nothing. He believes in our country enough to risk his life for it. Not many Americans can say that.
Dear GOD,
What kind of people do we have inhabiting this nations soil...who continue to send US Troops my own family, neighbors & friends other peoples sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers each generation onto foreign soil while the same welcome and reward continually our Criminal Open Borders Invaders...DREAM ACT presently and all those pregnant cross just in time to be donated US Citizenship from womb to tomb for heathen breeding via sperm donors...all while our generations are wiped off the Planet...
Just looking at the cover photo, it would appear that someone found half of his missing limbs... just sayin.
To the heroes. there is no question that we do and will support you! To the country and its presidents, the question is how many of these heroes you are planning to make each year.
SIR, You are an American hero among many and I am honored to read your story. May you always see god in everything you do and say... We still need your services to prove that even in your situation that you stand tall and proud as you have. God bless you and your family.
It may not seem that big to you... but I do appreciate what you have done and I recognize the personal price you have paid and I pray that I can be half the man you are. Anytime I get down I will think of you and have no reason but to shut up and fight.
Too bad the GOP struck down a jobs bill that would have helped this man!!
This makes me sick. The US needs to stop being the world's cop. It's like we're on the ten year war plan and we cannot afford it. When I see a soldier in this condition, it makes my blood boil. What kind of life is Travis going to have when all the noise dies down? I say let the bloodthirsty ones shoot each other all they want and let's stay out of it. We don't need more injured soldiers, VA Hospitals and growing deficits. Enough is enough. God bless this young man - he's going to need it.
It sickens me too and you're right about his life after the glow of the parade fades. We need to greatly reduce the military. If we have weapons, we'll use them. Instead of attacking Iraq to locate those weapons of mass destruction, which was a lie anyway, we could have attacked ourselves, as no nation has stockpiled and used as many weapons of mass destruction as the USA.
My nephew is an Army Ranger and has done several tours of duty in the middle east. A few years ago he sent an email (rare) about a fellow soldier who survived an explosion over there and was burned over most of his body. He was brought to the states for treatment. My nephew asked everyone to send a get well card to the hospital to his friend. I get all teary eyed thinking about that. My nephew is home on leave, but going back over there, once again. I always worry that he is coming back the next time in a body bag, burned or with limbs blown off. He just got his college degree - not an easy feat with a family of little kids and moving around in the military not to mention tours of duty. It took him about 12 years to get that degree and he is practically a genius - he is no grunt. We need to get out of the business of wars and building prisons and graduating lawyers and back into the business of building and manufacturing. We're in another war every ten years!
Travis is a good name :)
Welcome back, brother.
Hopefully, you will never get sick and then you have some jackhole law enforcement swear you are on drugs, even though blood work reveals no drugs but instead reveals sepsis...and instead of not charging you with anything as should be the case, they charge and convict you of a felony. The word Hero is a running joke, so I wouldn't let these clowns blow your head up too much.
Watch your six. That's my advice. Hey, this could be some very valuable advice, Travis. On with the party, though.
You do not have to believe in the war to believe in the men and women who serve our country. Thank You Travis, and "Thank You" to every man and woman who currently serves...or has ever served. I, as an American, am proud of you. Included in these numbers are my uncles, grandfather, father and brother...true American heroes!
Yes, we all get that many of the young folks who enlist are brave, but if you don't oppose our perpetual wars, you can't support these young people.
I am very sorry this happened to him and his family. I went to Iraq and the first thing I did when I got back to BIAP was get down on my knees and thank God for getting me out of there in one piece still to my family.
[SALUTE] Thanks Travis.
I see a lot of cowards posting here. I like to call them arm chair soldiers.
I hear ya, Brian. People who say they support the troops, but then don't oppose the wars are cowards.
God Bless our Solders and their Families.
Why do you want God to bless people who are paid to murder people?
my GOD bless his family
rock on travis
you have my salute, as do all the others present and past.
god bless you and your family
MSN could you not think of a better headline than Limbless GI returns home....geez I would think a network as big as you would have a more sensitive and tasteful reporters....THIS soldier is MORE than just a limbless GI...he is a soldier, husband and father who survived a horrific injury and yet but the grace of God has come back to his hometown to complete the path that our Father has for him..SSG has shown a strength and grace that we can only HOPE we would have if this had happened to us....SHAME ON YOU FOR YOUR UNCOMPASSIONATE AND SHORTSIGHTED LITERARY AND REPORTING SKILLS!!!!!
Stunned by the age.....BULLSH&T, Chaney would have said that on the Russert show. This was the idiot who fussed about Obama not wearing an American Flag pin on his lapel, and went on to say Obama wasn't patriotic. This coming from a man who turned his back on his so -called "country", don't take up for that lying @!$%# there, Stunned.....
I am from Canada and i want to say Thank-You to all of the brave American men and women who have been fighting and sacrificing for all of us in North America and the rest of the civilized world. And to S/Sgt Travis Mills, you a great American and a great dad! You inspire people like me (50 years old with health issues) to keep fighting and not to feel sorry for myself! I feel so sorry that so many men and women are returning home with such extreme physical injuries, mental trauma and emotional upheaval! We have let down our military men and women in Canada for many years and it is an embarrassment and unacceptable. I always get a little emotional when I hear or read about stories like S/Sgt Mills' story! We all need to look after those brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for us and our respective countries! Thank-You!