The Heroes in Our Midst
There is a retreat in Maine where heroes gather, a beautiful complex on Long Pond in the Belgrades where post-9/11, recalibrated veterans and their families participate in one of seven life-changing programs, all at no cost to them.
Developed and supported by the Travis Mills Foundation, these programs have been inspired through the dedication of Mainer U.S. Army SSG (Ret.) Travis Mills who became a quadruple amputee while serving in Afganistan. Mills, who is also a motivational speaker, an actor, an author, an advocate, a husband, and a dad is a local legend for his interactions with school and community activities.
The retreat, although nationally recognized for the Travis Mills Foundation programs, is a local legend, too, for its former role as the Elizabeth Arden estate, “Maine Chance,” where ladies of fashion would recuperate and get in shape. Many residents and visitors to the Belgrades remember driving by what was at the time considered a mansion with its spacious lawns from the main house down to the scenic waterfront of Long Pond.
For both eras, program participants have benefited from the beauty and tranquility of the lake setting, the therapy of the Maine lifestyle and the opportunity to focus on rest, relaxation and recreation, but whereas the Arden ladies were tasked with refraining from the consumption of too many crumpets, the Travis Mills Foundation participants are provided with the immensely greater mission of rehabilitation from injury in active duty.
The programs at the Travis Mills Foundation include:
- Family Program — adapted sports and activities to meet the needs of all;
- Warrior PATHH — how to “struggle well” and achieve post-tramautic growth;
- Caregiver — designed specifically to encourage self-care;
- Ambassador — training to represent TMF at various events across the country;
- Virtual — when it works better for certain participants; and
- Recalibrate — capitalizes on a participant’s motivation.
Each week-long program has been carefully developed to meet the needs of veterans and their families and to provide life-changing opportunities. The mission of the Travis Mills Foundation requires a dedicated staff, an accessible infrastructure, the therapeutic Maine setting of water and woods, the amazing medical response network of the extended region, and volunteers — nearly 500 each month.
To learn more about the programs of the Travis Mills Foundation and to volunteer, call 480‑3490 or visit travismillsfoundation.org.
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