E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
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.
Sign up for the NBCNews.com Photos Newsletter
Leave a Comment:
Everyone still fighting for George Bush Jr. and the bull@!$%# lies of 9/11. Must be nice to have an army at your disposal to go in and protect your OIL interests. What was that ( Weapons of mass destruction). More lies, more deceit. Way to go Corporate America. We think we could do a much better job of running OUR 99% than you 1%ers. You @!$%#ing idiots. Sorry your going to have to crawl for your inspired reasons for fighting a war for noone except for Corporate Americas Oil futures.
@ Startover: What an azzhole! Sick dude.
I would suggest you do some research you dumb @!$%#. Im sorry he got hurt however why is he there in the first place. 9/11? Better really do your research on those lies. What about building 7. It states there were implosion bombs on the site of 9/11. Should I break that down for you again. Didnt hear to much about building 7. Another thing for you is the fact that I spent 7 years in a wheel chair. You dont think I care about this person. He shouldnt of been fighting in the first place but your to @!$%#ing stupid to realize that. Ok smart one go get them.
Hey fuc* wad ive already been there, have you? puzzy azz bitch. STFU
I cannot put into words how I felt when I read this story. May God, or whatever divine entity you believe, BLESS you and your family forever and beyond! Your sacrifice, and how you are dealing with it, is inspirational and humbling to me. Thank you, SIR!
Dear Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, Thank you is not enough for what you have done for our country. You have truly earned a place of honor based on the sacrifices you have made. God Bless you and your family and I wish you the very best!! Welcome Home and God Bless our men and women in uniform!!!
Brought tears to my eyes,his picture with his child was truly humbling to me - he gave everything for his country.I was wondering how long he would be remembered after withdrwal from Afghanistan!! Price this youngman paid, can we justify our presence in that 11th century culture Afghanistan ?
Those of you who are touched by this hero, and who claim to care about our veterans, really need to understand what political party gives a damn about them. Michelle Bachmann, had the gall to suggest that the compensation paid to our veterans who have been injured defending this country be cut, as a way of reducing the deficit. When the VFW, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans, protested her, along with other members of her sick, cold, un-American party, she backed off. She never suggested, that her congressional pay, or the pay of others in Congress and the Senate be reduced, but she, and others like her, want our vets to not only take a bullet, but bite the bullet as well. We know who are our foreign enemies, but what about our domestic ones. Those of you who are not blinded by bigotry and party loyalty, will understand; those who are, will never understand. Oh, by the way, I am a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War.
Bentley-478164, thanks too you also, Brother. I was Navy 76-82. Thank you and ALL who were/are willing too " take a bullet" " The country who FORGET"S it's defenders, will soon itself be forgotton " HOOYAH !!!!!!
This soldier is a HERO for what he gave for his country. Everyone in America should give gratitude to this solddier for what this gave to make sure "We The People of the United States are free. To me I can't say thank you enough. If I could shake this soldier's hand "I would say to him Thank You on be half of a grateful Nation" for keeping every American free.
All these soldiers who come home now and have a disability should never have to pay INCOME TAXES again for the rest of his life for what he gave. His children should be able to go to any college of their choice that includes West Point, Annapolis and Air Force Academy for FREE no questions asked. Any tax payer who feels that this should not be done for all the disabled soldiers who come home should not be called American's. These men give up everything.
These disabled soldiers who come home should be able to go into any hospital and get the finest health care America has to offer for free no questions asked. I could go on and on these soldiers should be the role model for all Americans. This soldier is not only my HERO but he is my role model. I wish I could meet this soldier I would tell this soldier "Thank You" and tell if there is anything I could all he has to is call and I'll be there.
Nicely put, I would have to agree with you.
Ernie1, I agree. HOOYAH !!!!!!!!!!!
Some of you people make me sick. Thanks Travis for your service to our Country. My son is in the Army and has served in IRac and he said to me he wanted to go over there so they did not come back here. My son was only 23 when he went over and it was the longest time of my life. You people need to know someone in the service. This has nothing to do with politics. Get a life people. Thanks to all the other vets for serving our country that made comments.
Welcome home young man ......God bless you and your family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our Country ...
I agree with Conny, some of you are some sick bastards.. you will never know whats it like to pick up a weapon in defense to your country and its way of life. No, you will sit in your chair and denigrate those who protect you and your way of life, content on trivializing the men and women who have been called to arms and who bear witness to wars horror.. you go ahead and sit back and bad mouth those who bleed and die for you because some day, someway what comes around goes around.. karma's a bitch!
I am so thankful you at least made it home alive! My daughter never got to meet her Dad because he was killed while serving his country! He died by an underground mine! He was killed on August 1, 1967 & our daughter was born on December 12, 1967! He died just 4 months before he died! OUR HEROES ARE THE VERY BEST!!!!!!!!!
Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills is a true hero.
But in actuality, he is just but one of many of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children who give their all for us.
Thank you, Travis. I am sorry that your sacrifice for me cost you so dearly.
May God bless you and yours.
Welcome Home SSgt Mills!
It does this old Marine good to see the love and gratitude being exhibited by your hometown and especially your loving family...
It does me good to see the postings of those who are equally supportative, grateful and respecting...
MGySgt USMC (Ret'd) Viet Nam 1969-1971, Beiruit 1983, 1st Gulf War 1990-1991
This is what AMERICA is all about! It is a shame what happened to him, but he will forever be a hero! I hope the VA takes care of him and all the Vets the way they should!
This gives me a little hope America is stil alive and well...
U are right this story is about Travis. Speak to those that blame Obama for everything. For the person who I make sick, I hope u have good health care. Personally I pay good money for health care ,and would like to continue to afford it. As to free phone and walfare I pay for all of that to. I am black and I don't have ten kids me and husband work to raise. Stop stereo typing people. There is waste and plently of responsiblity for eveyone. Respect the president. U don't have to like him just respect. At least that is what I was taught growing up. How about u .
I have read every comment posted thus far and in a great many cases people inserted politics into their comments, which in my opinion their comments need to be deleted. This is a story about a man that has lost his limbs fighting in a series of wars in countries that have always known fighting and unrest and history tells us that no matter who intervenes they will always be against them. The people themselves have said they would like to live in peace yet they do not want to mass together and fight the oppressing forces that are either in power or seeking to be in power. We did it and became to great country that we are.
Having served in the military for twenty one years I have a certain knowledge about winning a war and with the way our Defense Department and military leaders are doing it today they will never succeed. Generals Patton and LeMay had it down pat. "KILL EVERYTHING IN SIGHT UNTIL THE ENEMY QUITS". Take the war with Germany - we bombed, fought and killed (and yes that included many civilians) but we caused Germany to surrender and in Japan we killed hundreds of thousands of the military and a like amount of civilians and won that war also. Today both countries are free and prospering. ONE OF TWO THINGS NEEDS TO HAPPEN - EITHER QUIT AND COME HOME OR CHANGE THE WAY WE ARE HANDLING IT AND START AROUND THE CLOCK ON A MASSIVE KILLING SPREE NO MATTER WHO IS IN THE ROAD. DON'T TAKE PRISONERS, SEND IN MASSIVE AIR STRIKES WITH PLANES AND MISSILES - BOMB AND KILL THEM UNTIL THEY TOO QUIT. Do these things and maybe, just maybe there will be less horrible cases like this soldier that gave so much.
In this case of the guy that has a tough go ahead of him I note not a lot has been said about his gallant wife that will have to give her whole life to taking care of him, comforting him, keeping him safe and mentally active. Let's give her a big hand also.
His welcome home as a hero should not last one single day. His service and the loss of all of his limbs should be honored by everyone in his community each and every time they see him. He should be compensated accordingly by the government. He should be trained for and given the opportunity to work at something he would enjoy. Sir, I thank you. I thank your family for what they are about to undertake for the rest of your life.
Mr. Travis gives a whole new meaning to the word courage.
I salute you Staff Sgt Travis Mills
Air Force Veteran...HOOAH!!!
Mr. Mills...I applaud your "it is what it is" attitude and am confident you will succeed in what ever you want to do. Thank you for your service.
A true inspiration to all Americans. Welcome home Sarge!
Wow! What an uplifting attitude facing such adversity! Travis, you are a Hero in my book and an inspiration. What an example to the rest of us. It is true that even our trials are for our growth, and sometimes for others growth. I was just taught the lesson of gratitude and perseverance from you! Thank you.
Americans cheer a brave soldier who made it home alive and ignor the brave soldiers the President honors who come home in a casket. Yes the same Americans will rush out to vote for a Coward-in-Chief like Mitt Romney who is ready to bomb Iran based on nothing then a maybe Iran is making Nukes. Well we lost 9,000 brave soldiers on the same bases in Iraq invasion only to learn Iraq never had Nukes. Mitt is talking War again and even looking to stay in Afghanistan so those cheering citizens will see alot more injured soldiers come home and never see or think about those coming home in caskets. War is hell and it seems Americans don't mine losing our young brave soldiers.
Thank you for your service Staff Sgt...God bless you.
All Americans should be subjected to the draft and with every new country that America attacks, taxes should rise. If our invasions and occupations matter so much, let's all pay for them.
My son graduates from Marine Boot Camp on Oct 17th in San Diego. The thought of this happening to him brings tears to my eyes. That said, I am so proud of this young man and want to thank him and all the others who have proudly served this great country so that we all enjoy the freedom and liberties we have. I am donating right now to Wounded Warriers and will continue to do so. I hope others will do so in honor of this young man and the thousands of other men and women who truly need our support.