Mills Family “Moves That Flag” & into New Home in Maine

A massive American flag backdrop waved in the breeze on October 5, 2014. Behind it, a custom built home specially designed to bring the family of Staff Sergeant Travis Mills home at last. As the crowd chanted, “move that flag!” the flag was pulled aside and the new home for Travis and his family was revealed. This “Smart Home” was built as part of The Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program in conjunction with The Carrington Companies, who were honored to donate the project management services and Carrington Charitable Foundation, who was thrilled to contribute fundraising for this completely custom home. With this home, Travis will be able to regain independence and self-reliance through specially adapted cabinets in the kitchen, fully wheelchair accessible rooms and bathrooms, and an iPad that can control the entire home’s lighting, audio-visual, and automation systems.

“Thank you for bringing my wife and my daughter home,” Staff Sergeant Travis Mills, US Army, said at his dedication ceremony prior to entering his new home in Manchester, Maine with his wife, Kelsey, and young daughter, Chloe."Many people spent countless hours in creating this fully accessible home that will be such a blessing to our family.”

On his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, Travis, a weapons squad leader, was critically injured by an IED while on patrol, losing both legs and both arms on April 10th, 2012. Because of the heroic actions of the men in his unit, Travis survived, his strength, courage, and will to live astounding his family and friends. “Help my soldiers,” Travis yelled several times at a medic, only minutes after the explosion. Even in the face of life-threatening injuries, Travis showed his brave and selfless nature, calling for protection of the members in his unit.

"I’ve always been positive, I’ve always been motivated. I have to get better," shares Travis. “Never give up, never quit.”