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Positive Profile of the Week

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This week, we are delighted to highlight a leader who truly embodies the spirit of ‘one step at a time’ through his faith and his remarkable life story – Travis Mills of Maine.

Like so many, Karen and I are very thankful for the service and sacrifice of our many veterans. The story of Travis Mills is very special – and immensely inspiring.

Travis was a staff SGT in the 82nd Airborne division. During his third tour in Afghanistan, he was the victim of an IED resulting in critical injuries that cost him portions of both legs and both arms. He received and continues to get care to assist him and is in fact one of only five quadruple amputees to survive such injuries who fought in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. You would think that ‘would be it’ for Travis, but it wasn’t.

Members of the military are trained to overcome, to rise to the occasion, and to assist their fellow soldiers in arms. That’s what Travis did and continues to do to this day.

He tells his story of overcoming what seems like overwhelming odds in a New York Times Best Selling book titled ‘Tough as They Come.’ Today, he serves as a motivational speaker bringing a spirit of positivity and overcoming challenges. But Travis’s biggest commitment was the opening of the Travis Mills Foundation Home in Rome, Maine.

Travis and his volunteer team raised nearly $3 million to purchase and rehab the Elizabeth Arden estate in Rome, Maine, turning it into a totally free retreat for military families and special needs veterans. The retreat is fully handicapped accessible and features not only events like water sports but prepares veterans who have had some setbacks with the training they need to adapt to everyday life. Some of this training includes how to use traditional gym equipment, things to be ready for when returning home, and ways you can take what you learn and apply it to help others.

This amazing program at the Travis Mills Foundation is called The Warrior Path. The seven-day on site initiation begins at the foundation’s retreat in Maine then continues for 3 months with additional off-site training. I encourage you all to visit travismillsfoundation.org and see

first-hand the impact Travis and the foundation are making day in and day out. I am not surprised that Travis has and will always be ‘Army Strong’ as he serves as an army of one to help those in need to better themselves — the ones we love, those who have served, and our country! Thank you, Travis, for your amazing inspiration and leadership!

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