Soldier visits Michigan hometown for 1st time since losing 4 limbs in Afghanistan IED blast

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills greeted in Vassar with homecoming parade

Published On: Oct 04 2012 11:13:50 AM EDT   Updated On: Oct 05 2012 06:49:14 PM EDT
United States Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills
VASSAR, Mich. -

A soldier is to visit his Michigan hometown for the first time since losing all four limbs while fighting in Afghanistan.

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, his wife, Kelsey, and their 1-year-old daughter, Chloe, are to serve as the grand marshals of Vassar High School's homecoming parade on Thursday.

Mills is also expected to address the crowd before Friday night's Vassar High football game.

The 25-year-old Vassar native was hurt when he dropped a bag on an improvised explosive device April 10 during his third deployment to Afghanistan.

He is one of only a few servicemen to lose all four limbs in combat during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and survive.

Mills wrote in a Web-posted message that he "can't wait to see everyone" in Vassar.