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ROME — Travis Mills says his favorite moment of 2017 is a reminder to keep veterans and their sacrifices in mind in the new year.
In August, the Travis Mills veterans retreat received a new high ropes challenge course from Mike Rowe, for an episode of “Returning the Favor.”
Mills, in his year-end message, said an accompanying photo of the challenge course in use to the everyday person may look like “your casual quick belay.”
“To us, this photo looks like an America hero proving to himself and his family that he’s never giving up,” Mills said.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Miller, shown in the photo, was injured while serving when he fell off a 50-foot cliff. “His fall shattered three vertebrae and fractured two more,” Mills said. Miller, at the time the photo was taken, had just had his fourth back surgery. “He will live with his injury for the rest of his life,” Mills said.
Since his injury, Miller had not been over a 6-foot ladder, Mills said. “The idea terrified him.”
Miller and his family visited the retreat in 2017. “The image you see shows the moment one of our nation’s bravest conquered and overcame that barrier alongside his family — and maybe shed a few tears in the process. His wife and children got to witness the moment their dad, husband, and hero didn’t give up, and now, you did too.
“Moments like this are the highlight of our year,” Mills said. “The Millers were able to share this moment thanks to your generosity and support. Our freedoms are bought and paid for by men and women like Cpl. Miller. Our freedom. Our liberty. Our health. It’s all so fragile. And easy to take for granted.
“Sooner or later, our bodies will fail us. There are no exceptions. But moments like this keep us mindful of what matters most – family, courage, and the strength to never give up and never quit. Because ultimately, there is no greater threat to our freedom, than a lack of gratitude to those who provide it,” Mills said.
He thanked those who have supported “moments like this.”
PHOTO: U.S. Marine Cpl. Chris Miller tries out the high ropes challenge courcse at the Travis Mills retreat in Rome last year. Miller was injured in a fall while serving, and hadn’t been higher than six feet before he tried out the course. (Submitted photo)
