Project Elliott
FAM has started “Shelter Our Families”, a program designed to assist our severely disabled military veterans achieve a durable home solution they so richly deserve! Project Elliott is the prototype for many more to come. Candidate ONE: SO1 Elliott Miller, US Navy SEAL is now in the process of deciding where he wants to live, how to access his veterans benefits and what color carpet he wants.
Elliott Miller, a US Navy SEAL and highly decorated combat veteran, wounded by enemy fire while serving in Iraq.
FAM’s Stacy Lasky and Lynn Dyer have compiled Elliott’s preferences and coordinated a systematic home search in partnership with The Disability Opportunity Fund, Priority Estates Realty, Da Kine Construction, military and Veterans Administration benefits officers, rehabilitation counselors and Joe “the DAD” Miller. The FAM and TDOF goal is to bridge the various gaps and merge benefits into a durable home solution desired by the veteran. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AMERICA TO TAKE CARE OF THE ESTIMATED 1,600 OTHERS!!!
FAM is about military families helping their own
Elliott is one of the most real people I have ever met. He always looks for the good in any situaltion. His lust for life is only matched by the love of his family and friends for him. The last time I saw Elliott he drove me to the airport at the end of my active service because I did’nt have a car. I have thought of him many times since then and he still has a brothers love from me.
Thanks for posting about this, I would love to read more about this topic.
Elliott Miller touched the hearts of ALL in rehab here in Omaha, Ne. I am forever grateful for the blessing of freedom he provided. I am amazed at the contrast of Elliott’s personality—- truly kind in spirit, yet strong beyond anyone I have ever met. You are NOT forgotten, I miss you.
I am shocked to learn about this. We served together in the Marines with 3rd. LAR we share the same last name and were also to of the biggest gym rats in the Battalion. I remeber always talking about what supplements we were using and so forth. My distinct memory of Elliot was when we were stuck at Camp Tallellga outside Camp San Mateo for Urban Warrior training in 99. He drove me and a 2 others to the Good Chow hall at Horno one morning and he put in the new Vandals CD “Hitler bad , Vandals good” in his jeep there and back, I have since bought all the Vandals CD’s after Elliot turned me on to them and when ever I hear “ape Drape” to this day I think of Elliot he played that song because he knew how much I like to rip on mullets.
I am still in shock…The last time I seen him more than 10 years ago he was so big and strong and now he appears to be in a wheelchair.
When did he make the move to the Navy?
Our national identity was born from the belief that all powers of government originate with the people, are implemented by the people and should be used to continue to promote the welfare of the people. Arguably, the most deserving are our wounded combat veterans. Can we abandon their needs for reintegration and rehabilitation after what they have sacrificed? Doing or not doing is really more about our national identity, our ethical and moral principles and the character of our leaders. This past week Project Elliott began with a examination and review of our progress. Following the construction of our partnership with TDOF, our concept development, a period of communications with our local representatives Bob Filner, Susan Davis and Duncan Hunter and our Senators Boxer and Feinstein and leadership in Washington DC to finish with the VA and the veterans subcommittees, we are now deep into the process of producing the results envisioned by the founders-a durable home solution for our most deserving. We have established coordination links to all those in government, in SO1 Miller’s military unit and in the local community who could and will lend a helping hand. We met with Claudia Obertries, President of the Ability Center in San Diego, we talked to Lily Fezler, Director of the San Diego Region of the VA and on Monday we shared our progress with the Millers. Yes, we are pushy and we are sprightly, but isn’t that what Americans are? I call it ‘genetically impatient’. We have discovered that many in our government are supportive but simply don’t understand that there’s a gap between the appropriation of veterans benefits and the delivery to the end user. We consolidated his rights and benefits into a tailored package with his full knowledge and his direction to achieve his desired shelter/home solution. We discovered the gap when it comes to delivery of certain home ownership benefits to this select group; called the very seriously injured service member who suddenly needs a shelter, but can’t infuse his/her benefits into the realty equation due to a unforeseen disability event. One example is the Specially Adapted Home Program Grant. This benefit can be as much as $64,000.00 to enable the retrofit of a home to accommodate the particular disability of the member. The challenge is obtaining the benefit in conjunction with the home purchase transaction. There is a natural gap due to timing of purchase, the negotiation with the seller and the timeframe for funding the home loan. FAM is the only entity that is working to resolve this type of disconnect, first for SO1 & then for all the rest. Thank you to Stacy and Lynnie for setting up the meetings last week and for working hard to step on the gas and get this machine rolling. Despite the current economic conditions related to fundraising, our commitment to this cause will endure because it’s the right thing to do. FAM will stay the course. FAM thanks you for your support.
Elliott was also a dear friend of mine. We went into the fleet Marine Corps together from LAV school. He was my roommate in Okinawa, Japan, and my closest Marine Corps friend. It pained me very much to hear what had happened to him when I finally made contact with him after a long time. As much as I know about Elliott is he is not going to hang his head on this, and would expect no one to do the same! He always new how to keep me in check when I had a stupid moment, and was dedicated to this country! I have many great memories of him, and look forward to creating more! He will always be considered a brother, and most of all a friend in my life!!
Elliott just informed us he found the house. Stacy and Lynnie will draft the offer tomorrow. Remember, “everything’s negotiable” and let’s get this done. Great job Ladies!
Elliott, you changed my life forever.
You R my Hero.
Thank you!
To everyone that is making a difference in Elliott’s life, I want to say Thank you from my heart. Elliott has always been an extremely strong and determined son. To this day he is still strong and determined for what he has been through in the past two years and nine months. To the FAM, I thank you for playing such an important part in his life at this time and to the NAVY Special Warfare and Marines who are also there for Elliott. Thank you from Elliott’s Mom
Thanks to “Mom” for those inspiring words today! Mom, we couldn’t agree with you more regarding your son’s strength and determination. A dose of Him every day is good for the soul. Your son is amazing. FAM/TDOF Team.
I met Elliott I think one time. I am a Asst. Scout Master from BSA troop 66 in Barlow, Ky. I have heard many stories from Jame’s and John on the type of man you are and I am not suprised about your determination to get all you can out of what ever life puts in front of you. Keep up the good fight.
OK, here’s the deal; Paul Haskell, the local VA disability claim rep told FAM today that Elliott’s pkg is hung up in Baltimore. It’s a complex case and may take 3-4 months to adjudicate, or it could be done by tomorrow. I asked him to please make a call to the Baltimore Office to see if he could find out what’s going on. He said he was the only one working today, and was swamped, but will try. PER is standing by for mortgage processing and is stuck awaiting this determination, so this is now our long pole in the tent.
New Progress Today! Contact with Paul Haskell, Military Services Coordinator, Disability Evaluation System Pilot Project, reports that the Baltimore Office has completed their work and sent SO1’s package to Wash DC for review. We have asked to follow-up with Chief Jako this week. MANY THANKS PAUL!
Contact established with Chief Jako. Sent email to exchange contact information. The Chief is the Patient Evaluation Board Liaison Officer. He will help us track status on paperwork as it moves through the VA and Military systems.
Also, Charlie H. reports good news from the OFN conference; there is more to follow when I get it.
OFN – Opportunity Financial Network; the conf where we met TDOF last year. Questions from the conf: need to know approx how many severely disabled vets from the war are housed in the major military hospitals? Bethesda, Walter Reed, Ft Sam Houston and Balboa. second question – Can their General home of records be determined?
Follow up with JM and Chief to determine if contact made.
Followed up and there is good news. Joe please contact Chief Jako.
Elliott, you are amazing: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/nov/14/combat-wounded-sailor-has-high-hopes-for-tower/
Elliott,
You did it man! 103 stories all the way to the top of the Willis tower ( formerly known as the Sears tower) in Chicago. It was an event I will never forget and cherish for a lifetime. You are a true warrior. You got out of that chair, with doubters and naysayer all around you. That IED almost killed you, it left you in a coma, it took your left leg, it ripped through your body with frag, it shattered your right shoulder, it took your voice, it burned 60% of your body, you lost some fine motor skills BUT it didn’t touch your HEART and it didn’t take your drive. I saw a determined SEAL on those stairwells over the weekend. I saw you with your teammates again on a mission. I’m proud of you and anxiously waiting for the next adventure.
I love you man and I’m behind you 100%.
Thank you for the sound critique. Me and my neighbour were just preparing to do some research about this. I am very happy to see such great information being shared freely out there.
Larry met Dave Walker, a disabled vet in Northern California who has agreed to help with making contacts that can help move the case forward. Thank you Dave!
Norm Moser has agreed to take a look at Elliott’s case. We are trying to effect the link-up between some very busy people. Still no joy yet.
We are all still keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
USMC
Anyone who knows Elliott knows he’ll make you laugh, motivate you, and fall asleep before you pick him for dinner. I had the honor to hang out with Elliott for the better part of six months while he was in rehab in Omaha, NE. I got wind of him comming out and contacted a mutual friend at ST5. There were times where we saw each other three times a week whether at work at AF Clinic or out getting beers. My life is forever changed having met him, he is by far the most down to earth person I have ever met. I’m always her for ya brother no matter what just drop a line and I’m rollin.
Very good research. Thanks for the information.
Thank you for your post, and i believe it helps me a lot.
We’ll be attending a meeting in SD with the VA and Medical Staff to support Elliott.
There are some excellent issues raised here.
Normally, I’m not awfully keen on politics. but, now and again we all have to pay attention. Worthy of note, i am grateful to you.
We attended the group meeting at Balboa. We had Medical, VA, Military, SOCOM Care Coalition and Federal Recovery Coordinator with E-man and family. Nice to see so many good people coming together to assist.
We welcome a new member to the Project, Chief Scott Langhoff, a Veteran Service Officer with the VFW joined the effort this past week. Our grateful thanks to you sir! Let me say publicly that I have never seen another individual with the knowledge and the individual passion and drive you possess. On behalf of the Miller’s and the FAM team, we give thanks for you sir!
@Marco I know what your saying there . In todays economy its tough to find a company to work for that pays good enough to live on and is stable . I have found that if you just work hard and are consistent you can succeed. Look at the writer of this page , they are clearly a hard worker and have just been consistent over time and are now enjoying at least what would appear as somewhat of a success. I would encourage everyone to just keep hustling and moving forward.
thanks !! very helpful post!
That was interesting . I admire your finesse that you put into your writing . Please do move forward with more like this.