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Thousands have been wounded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Five have survived quadruple amputee injuries. This is one soldier's story. Thousands of soldiers die year to defend their country. United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills was sure that he would become another statistic when, during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, he was caught in an IED blast four days before his twenty-fifth birthday. Against the odds, he lived, but at a severe cost—Travis became one of only five soldiers from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to survive a quadruple amputation. Suddenly forced to reconcile with the fact that he no longer had arms or legs, Travis was faced with a future drastically different from the one he had imagined for himself. He would never again be able to lead his squad, stroke his fingers against his wife’s cheek, or pick up his infant daughter. Travis struggled through the painful and anxious days of rehabilitation so that he could regain the strength to live his life to the fullest. With enormous willpower and endurance, the unconditional love of his family, and a generous amount of faith, Travis shocked everyone with his remarkable recovery. Even without limbs, he still swims, dances with his wife, rides mountain bikes, and drives his daughter to school. Travis inspires thousands every day with his remarkable journey. He doesn’t want to be thought of as wounded. “I'm just a man with scars,” he says, “living life to the fullest and best I know how.”
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Convergent Books; First Edition edition (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 110190478X
ISBN-13: 978-1101904787
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (210 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #31,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #26 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Special Needs #58 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Military > Afghan & Iraq Wars > Afghan War #2232 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living
Lest there be any confusion as to my own personal perspective, I was a young adult during the Vietnam War. I was never an active anti-war protester, nor did I have any close friends or near relatives involved either in the conflict itself, or in the resistance to it. However, my own conviction that war is essentially never “just”, and rejection of the patriotic hoopla about “defending Freedom”, stems from that time. Nonetheless, I was utterly appalled at the way that anti-war sentiment at that time turned into neglect and abuse of returning veterans, and am profoundly grateful that such attitudes have changed radically with respect to the veterans of current conflicts in the Middle East.It is against this background that I read Travis Mills’ powerful memoir, “Tough as They Come”. As is emphasized at the beginning, Mills is one of – to date – five surviving quadruple amputees among the wounded veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. His injuries occurred on April 10, 2012, when his unit was attempting to clear IEDs, and missed one. Simple math tells us that in the three years since that event, Mills has made an incredible journey to recovery and a full and productive life. Not only is he completely functional and self-reliant, driving his own car, participating in sports such as running, cycling and skiing; he is also an active promoter of programs to rehabilitate others. He started the Travis Mills Foundation which benefits and assists wounded and injured veterans, and is a much sought-after motivational speaker.The story itself is told with a great deal of honesty and simplicity.
Travis Mills' story highlights the tough character of an all-American young man. Mills seems to have grown up as an around good guy who excelled in sports, loved his family, friends and his country. After high school, he was inspired to join the US Army and the 82nd Airborne Division where he continued to excel as a soldier and leader. He fought bravely for his country and brothers-in-arms.Sadly Mills was injured by an IED and became a quadruple amputee. He has accepted the challenge of overcoming his injury and not letting it get the best of him. He has conquered great obstacles in his rehab and recovery.This is a well-written story that conveys the real person who is driven and determined to win while also maintaining an indefatigable sense of humor and compassion for others. I believe that this book illustrates what is the best and worst of humanity. Mills opens his heart and life to readers without an malice, resentment or despair. Readers can develop their own opinion of the absolute evil we are fighting in groups like the Taliban. Likewise, readers can discern that our current politicians have sent our best and brightest to fight with their hands tied behind their back.During Mills' third deployment when he was injured, he and his troops were ordered not to attack Taliban forces as they planted IED's in our troops' path. Our forces, we learn, could not fire upon enemy combatants unless first fired upon. This means they had to sit and watch Taliban plant IED's or drive to places of ambushes without doing anything about it. Undoubtedly, this has led to many soldiers being injured. Mills, however, has a great attitude through it all. His story conveys how bravely are soldiers are fighting for their country.
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