March 10, 1999
Mills honored as first 'Vet of the Year'
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Just call Ray Mills Mr. American Legion.
During the 53 years that Mills has been involved in the American Legion, he has helped countless veterans with problems large and small. Mills was recognized for his contributions and dedication to veterans causes last Veteran's Day when he was named Veteran of the Year by the Grand Traverse Veterans and Auxiliary Association, the umbrella organization for local veterans groups. The inaugural year of this award, the association plans to honor an outstanding veteran each year on Veteran's Day.
"Ray is a leader and he helps all the veterans in need and their families," said Joe Lata, senior vice commander of the at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2780 in Traverse City, a member organization of the Grand Traverse Veterans and Auxiliary Association. "If something has to be done, he is always there, the first one."
Mills joined the American Legion post in Detroit in 1946, not long after completing his active service in the Army in late 1945. At the urging of his father in law, he began attending meetings and was soon elected post chaplain. He has been active in the American Legion ever since, serving as post commander and transferring to a post in Chicago when his work as a printer took his family there.
Mills has been a member of the American Legion Post 35 in Traverse City since he and his wife, Rita, retired up here in 1984. The Garfield Township resident is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
"I enjoy doing it and the help I've given fellow veterans," said Mills, who received his Purple Heart after being wounded by an artillery shell just three weeks before the war ended in Europe. "I enjoy the camaraderie and I've met a lot of nice veterans and made friends doing this."
When a veteran or their family contacts the American Legion for help, Mills is ready to step in and help in any way they can. He can steer them to the Veteran's Affairs office for help with paperwork and determination of benefits. In an immediate emergency, money raised during the American Legion's annual poppy sale can be used to help pay an electric bill or buy groceries. Sometimes the money has helped a veteran who was traveling through town who had car trouble and no money for repairs.
"If a vet comes in, I hear what they have to say, what they need," Mills, who also serves as post commander for the Grand Traverse Veterans and Auxiliary Association. "We can help a vet who falls through cracks and needs money right away."
Mills is most proud of is the program he began recently to accept internment flags from a military funeral and store them at the American Legion Post. The post will fly these flags at Veteran's Park, which is located at the corner of Bay and Division streets, putting up a new one every Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. The American Legion Post has received 16 flags so far and each of them will have a turn flying on the flagpole in honor of the deceased veteran.
"A lady came in one day and said she didn't need this flag anymore, she was cleaning out her house," Mills said. "It was a 48-star flag, so we gave it to the Parks and Recreation Department for display but we began accepting others."