[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 26123]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MIKE MILLS, OF FREEPORT, MINNESOTA AS A TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHELE BACHMANN

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2009

  Mrs. BACHMANN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Staff Sergeant 
Mike Mills of Freeport, Minnesota, who is the first Minnesota recipient 
of the American Patriot Award. He joins an exclusive group of only 8 
American heroes who have been recognized by the American Patriot 
Project, comprised of nine volunteer organizations united by love of 
our national pastime, baseball, and a desire to honor those who have 
served in uniform.
  Mike was wounded in 2005 in Iraq while serving with the Minnesota 
Army National Guard. On June 15, 2005 an Improvised Explosive Device 
(IED) exploded near Mike's vehicle. In the explosion he suffered a 
cracked clavicle and scapula bones, a dislocated shoulder and burns on 
more than 30 percent of his body. With extraordinary inner strength and 
the love and faith of his family and friends, he walked the long road 
of recovery. There are few awards that could properly acknowledge his 
service.
  Given Mike's incredible experience, it would be understandable if he 
had turned to bitterness, sadness and anger. But, Mike turned around 
what he had gone through to help other veterans discharged or retired 
with injuries. He helps them turn their feelings of guilt, shame and 
failure into hope, pride and joy through his Web site, 
www.fortheveteran.com. By sharing his own powerful story through words 
and pictures, Mike has said to every veteran you are not alone and you 
will never be alone. It is a lesson that far too many veterans never 
hear, leaving them with feelings of isolation and guilt and depression. 
His Web site should be required reading for any returning citizen-
soldier.
  Like many veterans, Mike is the definition of a hero. But Mike stands 
out for his bravery and his sacrifice for our freedoms in a land 
thousands of miles away. I pray that Mike, his wife, Suki, and their 
children will continue to be a blessing to one another and to other 
veterans facing difficult times. I am so humbled to honor him today to 
this Congress, Madam Speaker.

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