By Annabeth Miller
Today’s story is about Elliott. To be a bit more specific, Elliott John Miller.
He grew up like most any other kid in this corner of the woods. He loved to hunt, he was a Boy Scout and earned his Eagle, enjoyed camping out, was respectful, loved his family. The night he graduated from high school in Cape Girardeau, his buddies shaved his head. Because, you see, Elliott was joining the Marine Corps.
He served his country, did his duty. He sailed the seas and saw the world as a Marine. After his tour was over, he returned home and was ready to make the transition from Marine to student.
Then two planes plowed into the World Trade Center. America was at war.
Elliott felt compelled to serve his country. He returned to that recruiter, only this time he was destined to an elite corps of America’s heroes. He joined the Navy SEALs.
At his graduation in San Diego, I will admit to being in awe – and having a lump of pride in my throat and a tear in my eye. I thought of his Grandma and ‘Pop’ – and how proud they both would be.
So, this Navy SEAL fought America’s new enemy. Then, during his fourth tour in Iraq, his dad called one morning. Elliott had been hit – not once but actually twice in one day. He was serving in the Al-Anbar provence of Iraq and was fragged by a grenade. When his teammates evacuated him, an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded and compounded his injuries. It read almost like a litany – left leg had massive injuries, arm broken, lost most of his blood, traumatic brain injury, burned over 60 percent of his body from the phosphorus in the bomb.
He eventually lost part of that left leg, and brain injury claimed his ability to speak. Now he communicates by typing on an iPad, which then voices his words.
Now, all of this leads us to Thursday. Thursday was a big day. Not only was it Flag Day and his dad’s birthday, it was the day that Elliott became a home owner. From his wheelchair, he raised the American flag on a flagpole in front of his new home in San Diego, thanks to the Wounded Warrior Support Foundation and Wells Fargo.
Elliott, his wife April and their 10-month old son Joseph Trevor saw their home for the first time Thursday. The 65-year home has been totally renovated to meet his needs – wheelchair ramp, refitted bathroom, doorways enlarged to fit a wheelchair, other touches in the home to accommodate a guy who is either in a wheelchair or walking with a prosthesis.
The Wounded Warrior Support Foundation is a group that was founded in 2007 by 3 star retired general, Leroy Sisco. They serve the heroes that have served us – with home programs that help vets like Elliott, and with programs that help them find jobs, learn skills, and go back to college. They do good work – important work – in helping our heroes after they return home.
More than 180 houses have been delivered to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans over the past two years, including 44 in California, foundation officials said. Banks transfer the deed to the charity, which holds it for three years. After demonstrating good stewardship, the veteran receives the property free and clear.
Wells Fargo has donated 10 houses for veterans since 2009. Wounded Warriors Support Foundation also works with Bank of America, Chase and GMAC.
On top of that, Wells Fargo covered the bill for the repairs and renovations in the house.
There’s a garage where Elliott can work on projects, a yard where little J.T. can run and play, and April can plant a garden.
Elliott has a lot of grit and determination. He climbed all 110 stories of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) in Chicago – basically to prove that a guy with a prosthetic leg could climb 110 stories!
You know those 110 stories on that building? Well, Elliott didn’t climb them alone. There were his buddies from the SEALs, his younger brother Adam and sister Camille. But there was also a Sunday School class of ladies from the Dexter United Methodist Church, who prayed every step of the way!
I was talking the other evening to a gentleman in our church. He’s a veteran of World War II – a member of “the Greatest Generation”. Like so many in our church family, he has been concerned about and prayed for Elliott throughout his recovery. When I told this gentlemen about Wounded Warrior Support Foundation and about the house, he told me he had sent the group some money from time-to-time. “If anybody needs help, it’s these guys. They’ve done so much,” he said.
Gen. Sysco told Elliott that the new home is a good “foundation” for Elliott’s future. I’ve got news for the good general – the house is just another layer in that good foundation Elliott has built throughout his life.
Congrats, Elliott. Pops and Grandma would be proud.
Photo Above: Elliott and Joe Miller, outside Elliott's new San Diego home. (BusinessWire photo)
Annabeth Miller is a Dexter native and editor of the ShowMe Times. Retired Navy SEAL Miller is her nephew.
