By Ashley M. Casey
Associate Editor
For many soldiers, the homecoming is the hardest part of their service. Fortunately for Lysander’s newest resident, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Michael Milliman, he has plenty of support from friends, family and his new neighbors. Thanks to Bank of America and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, Milliman now has a home of his own, mortgage-free.
Dozens of volunteers, media, family and friends gathered Aug. 1 to see Milliman, of Wolcott, take the keys to his new home and walk through it for the first time. Inside, the house was already filled with furniture, family photos and two giant food and water dishes for Milliman’s 10-month-old Alaskan Shepherd mix, Sarge. The kitchen was stocked with Milliman’s favorite sandwich fixings: peanut butter, Marshmallow Fluff and Nutella.
As Milliman made his way through the house, he was at a loss for words.
“Oh my goodness, I’m going to have to hold myself up. I don’t know what to say,” he said.
Milliman, now 35, joined the Army in 2003 at age 18, right after he graduated from high school. He served two tours in Iraq and suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2008. He received numerous awards for his service, including the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal. Today, Milliman still struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“For me, the toughest transition is knowing there’s so many people that love and support you, but you still feel alone and empty,” he said, adding that veterans must learn to trust their friends and family again.
A few of Milliman’s new neighbors dropped by to introduce themselves. He learned that Imoni Jenkins, manager for Bank of America’s Eastwood branch, lives nearby, is also a veteran and shares Milliman’s love for golf. Other neighbors encouraged him to join the North West Family YMCA, which is close by.
“It really makes you feel loved,” Milliman said. “I’m at a loss for words for how much support is here right now — people that don’t even know me from Adam.”
The Military Warriors Support Foundation, based in San Antonio, Texas, has donated about 850 homes to veterans across the country since 2010. Bank of America has helped give away more than 2,000 homes through veterans’ organizations and has partnered with Military Warriors since 2011.
“Bank of America donates the properties to nonprofits and they work with contractors,” explained Molly Mulvihill, market manager for Bank of America for Syracuse and Utica. “Veterans are why we’re able to have our freedom. We employ a lot of veterans and we serve a lot of veterans as customers.”
Milliman said he learned of Military Warriors’ Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program through his fellow veterans.
“I have a couple other friends that I served with who are part of the foundation,” he said.
Those friends encouraged Milliman to complete his application for a home.
“I get overwhelmed and so I give up,” he said. “I always thought there were vets out there who were more deserving.”
But with help from his family and friends, Milliman finished the application and was selected.
Through the Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program, Milliman will receive three years of financial mentoring, which includes help with budgeting and building credit. If he complies with the mentoring program, he won’t have to pay the mortgage for his new home, which was rehabilitated by C&C Renovations of Fulton and furnished by Bank of America and Walmart.
“This is a very special one because we have a veteran contractor,” said Kathy Feeney, executive advisor of housing initiatives for the Military Warriors Support Foundation.
Christopher Ouzts, owner of C&C Renovations, served in the U.S. Army like Milliman. Feeney said there was an immediate connection between the two veterans.
“Our motto is, ‘Be a hero to a hero.’ Chris and his wife poured their heart and soul into it,” Feeney said.
“Any veteran … is family,” Milliman said of Ouzts. “He’s been working [on the house] for four months and he’s never seen my face until today.”
Milliman said he “can’t wait to get a lot more familiar” with Baldwinsville.
“I think it’s such a great community to put down roots in,” Mulvihill said of Baldwinsville.
Milliman said he is thinking of volunteering at the Syracuse VA and the YMCA.
“Right now, I have a little time on my hands,” he said. “Just like veterans helped me with this process, I’d like to help give back.”
