< Previouswww.ausa.org10 AUSA Extra | September 14, 2023 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY F ormed in 1957 by a group of senior Army aviation officers, the Army Aviation Association of America is dedicated to represent- ing and supporting the interests of soldiers and families in the aviation branch. The association hosts several events annually across the country that serve as professional develop- ment and networking opportunities for the Army Aviation community and the defense industry. It also pub- lishes ARMYAVIATION magazine, featuring articles written by senior Army leaders, the aviation branch chief and the service’s pilots, main- tainers, trainers and developers, ac- cording to the group’s website. In 1963, the association estab- lished its Scholarship Foundation to provide financial aid to children of current and deceased members. The program has since expanded to include soldiers, spouses, unmarried siblings and grandchildren, and it has provided over $9 million in aid to more than 6,000 applicants, ac- cording to the foundation. A variety of awards are presented by the association to recognize the service of soldiers, veterans, govern- ment civilians, cadets, family mem- bers and defense industry represen- tatives in the aviation community. These include the Order of Saint Mi- chael, established in 1990 to honor service members who have contrib- uted significantly to the promotion of Army Aviation, and the Order of Our Lady of Loreto, created in 2004 as a joint effort with the U.S. Army Aviation Center to honor spouses and other family members. For more information, please visit www.quad-a.org/. If your association is interested in partnering with AUSA, contact Su- san Rubel at srubel@ausa.org. Association Partnership with AUSA is an opportunity for like-minded military service organizations to join AUSA in support of the Total Army—soldiers, DoD civilians and their families. Spotlight on AUSA Association Partner: AAAAwww.ausa.org ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY September 14, 2023 | AUSA Extra 11 Foundation provides care, services for wounded veterans From left to right, retired Master Chief Petty Offi cer of the Navy Rick West, retired Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey and retired Master Chief Petty Offi cer of the Coast Guard Jason Vanderhaden pose for a photo at the Travis Mills Foundation in Mount Vernon, Maine. (AUSA PHOTO) T he Association of the U.S. Army’s NCO and Soldier Pro- grams directorate kicked off the month of September by support- ing an incredible program aimed at providing care and services for wounded veterans. We were afforded the opportunity to travel to beautiful Mount Vernon, Maine, just a short drive from the state’s capital of Augusta. Nestled in the picturesque countryside is a lakeside retreat that is home to the Travis Mills Foundation, run by re- tired Staff Sgt. Travis Mills and his wife, Kelsey. Mills served in the 82nd Airborne Division and deployed to Afghani- stan three times. On April 10, 2012, during his third tour, Mills was wounded by an improvised explosive device during a patrol. The explosion severed portions of all four of his limbs and left him as one of only fi ve surviving quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. While recovering at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, family was a crucial component to Mills’ healing. During his long recov- ery, he maintained his lifelong man- tra of “Never Give Up. Never Quit.” To this day, Mills credits his fam- ily for being the driving force behind his positivity and persistence to over- come challenges. After his recovery, Travis attended an adaptive sports camp in Colora- do and realized the need for a place where veterans and their families could recuperate. In September 2013, Mills and his wife founded the Travis Mills Foun- dation, a nonprofi t organization formed to benefi t and assist post-9/11 veterans who have been wounded on active duty or during service to the nation. The foundation offers several programs for veterans and their families. Participants receive an all- NCO & Soldier Programs expenses-paid experience at the lake- side retreat in Mount Vernon, where they engage in adaptive activities, bond with other veterans and their families and enjoy much-needed rest and relaxation. To date, the foundation has helped hundreds of wounded warriors and their families with their recovery. During our visit, we got a fi rst- hand look at the facilities and ser- vices provided by the foundation’s incredible staff. Along with being treated to top-notch accommoda- tions, participants and their fami- lies receive tailored services that are carefully and thoughtfully developed in response to each person’s needs. At the conclusion of our visit on Sept. 9, we participated in the third annual Building Strength Gala. The gala is one of several events the Tra- vis Mills Foundation hosts each year to raise the resources necessary to sustain the retreat. The gala also offers those who have not visited the foundation an oppor- tunity to take in the world-class ser- vices Mills and his team provide. AUSA’s NCO and Soldier Programs team would like to thank the Travis Mills Foundation for all they do for veterans and their families and for the incredible opportunity to visit the retreat. For more information about the Travis Mills Foundation or to learn about how to get involved, please vis- it https://travismillsfoundation.org/ Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel Dailey is AUSA’s vice president for NCO and Soldier Programs and was the 15th sergeant major of the Army. The Travis Mills Foundation lakeside re- treat in Mount Vernon, Maine, houses wounded veterans and their families as they recuperate. (AUSA PHOTO)www.ausa.org12 AUSA Extra | September 14, 2023 ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY Chapter meeting highlights service of Vietnam aviators Retired Maj. Gen. Lou Hennies, left, chairman of the board for the nonprofit Friends of Army Aviation, and retired Lt. Col. John Holladay, the organization’s president, stand by a heritage UH-1 Huey helicopter on display at the Ozark Civic Center during a quarterly meeting of AUSA’s Fort Novosel-Wiregrass chapter in Alabama. (DOTHAN EAGLE/MICHELLE MANN) Community Partner Challenge The following chapters are the August winners of AUSA’s Community Partner Challenge in their award categories. Each winner receives $500 and 5 points toward Best Chapter in their group. • Redstone-Huntsville – Award Group 1 • Greater Augusta-Fort Gordon – Award Group 2 • Northern New York-Fort Drum – Award Group 3 • San Diego – Award Group 4 • Utah – Award Group 5 M embers of the Association of the U.S. Army’s Fort Novosel-Wiregrass chapter recognized the monumental contri- butions of Army helicopter pilots and aircrews to the Vietnam War at a re- cent quarterly meeting. “We want to support the families and friends of soldiers who have given the ultimate [sacrifice] in sup- port of freedom around the world and to inspire young people to consider aviation as a ca- reer,” said retired Lt. Col. John Hol- laday, an AUSA chapter member who also is presi- dent of the nonprofit Friends of Army Aviation. “We are here to serve Army Avia- tion and very proud to do it with honor and dignity. We always strive for the best, and that focus starts at the top,” Holladay said during the meeting at the Ozark Civic Center in Alabama, according to the Dothan Eagle. Fort Novosel, formerly known as Fort Rucker, is the home of Army Aviation and the Army Aviation Cen- ter of Excellence. Friends of Army Aviation seeks to preserve Army aviation heritage through static displays of legacy aircraft and by providing helicopter rides to some 30,000 people since the program’s inception in 2017, Hol- laday said, according to the Dothan Eagle. “We bring the Army Aviation story to the American people,” he said, noting that in 2022, the Friends of Army Aviation flew 6,800 passen- gers at multiple venues and airshows across the country. Holladay, who served three combat tours in Vietnam as an Army avia- tor, emphasized the importance of remembering the role of helicopter pilots and aircrews in the war that ended a half-century ago. “As time and distance accumulates, the legacy of the contributions of the American soldier fades into distant memory,” he said. The heritage helicopter rides in restored UH-1 Huey helicopters cost the organization $2,100 an hour. This necessitates a charge for riders, but the cost is offset by donations. “Every penny we generate goes back into the preservation and operation of this aircraft,” Holladay said. “Our passion is to convey the im- portance of Army Aviation and to re- member the role it played by provid- ing troops with the support needed to achieve their mission and to ensure their survival on the battlefield,” Holladay said, according to the Do- than Eagle. “It’s an honor to tell you the story.” Fort Novosel- WiregrassNext >