Mike Miller has been on the Operation Just Cause Adoption Team for a few years now. He has continued to do his job in an outstanding manner. As Team Leader and now as Director I appreciate Mike very much because he does his job day after day, never letting anyone down and always with caring and dedication. We need another dozen volunteers exactly like Mike. Moonduster Chronicles is proud to introduce you to Mike Miller:
Mike, can you tell us something about yourself?
I am 43 years old, single and my daughter Cindy lives with me. I am retired from the Air Force after taking the early retirement at fifteen years. I currently work for Fed Ex Ground packaging as a Maintenance Tech. My hobbies include fishing, hunting and traveling. I am attending Night College to pursue a technical degree in Robotics and Automation.
How did you first become involved in the POW/MIA Issue?
I believe I have been involved in the POW/MIA issue from the first day of my active service in the military because it is a real possibility that any soldier in the armed forces could become a POW/MIA. This is why I feel connected very closely to the issue.
What convinced you that we left POW/MIA(s) in Vietnam?
History. I am aware of the Nixon administration lies of war reparations. Also, some of the action reports I have seen.
Mike, you made a statement to me that stood out above and beyond anything else you said. You told me your were in the USAF for 15 years as a Crew Chief. Then you said, "I believe very strongly in the POW Issue because this is why I served." I think that statement is one of the best that I have read. Could you explain it to our readers?
Well it is hard to explain. I believe all Americans who serve in the military are involved. We don't know what kind of Police actions, Wars or military shows of force we will be involved in and it is the desire of every person serving to be brought back home. We only pray our Government will demand a full accounting of our people.
How did you hear about Operation Just Cause?
Through Gene Milner who is a Team Leader for Operation Just Cause. I have also had the privilege of knowing him for about fifteen years.
Why did you decide to adopt a POW/MIA?
I felt like I needed to do something to press the point. I believe this is due to my connection to the military. And this is one issue that the US Government has ignored or tried to sweep under the carpet so to speak.
What made you decide to volunteer for the OJC Adoption Team?
After doing a little research and checking the OJC out I felt this was my way of working for that full accounting I mentioned earlier. Also Gene, who is like a brother to me, showed me the web sites and how to get the answers about the POW Issue. I believe that the families of the POW/MIA should have a full accounting and I wanted to do my part of help them achieve this goal.
What do you consider to be the best and the worst part of working on the Adoption Team?
The best part I would say is when we get an adoption in and fulfill the request and the person sends a thank you. Or when you read the adoption request and you can just feel the excitement. The worst part would have to be when people get stupid about a delay or they have extremely high expectations of what OJC can give them.
Being a part of the Adoption Team takes a special quality because it involves sending out adoptions 365 days a year. What does it take to stay committed to doing what you do?
Adoption Team Members need a strong focus on what and why we are doing what we are doing.
How do you personally educate and inform people that over 2,000 POW/MIAs were left behind in Vietnam?
Try and keep the POW/MIA issue in the forefront. Try and keep our politicians busy with this issue so they don't forget or sweep it under the carpet. Talk to people. Talk the whole issue up. Promote and attend functions that enhance awareness on this issue.
From the personal experience of sending out POW/MIA Adoptions can you tell us why you think this is working to educate people about the Issue?
Lack of education, I have found, is the reason people are not aware of the issue. Once they are given the facts many are as determined as I am to do their part.
What has made you continue on working to bring all the POW/MIA(s) back home day after day?
Because of my conscious, it wouldn't let me give up and stop. How could I stop what I am trying to accomplish. That would mean the whole time I have been involved with OJC and what I have felt was all in vain. I made a commitment to give what little time I could to this issue. And as far as I know it is far from complete.
Comments About Mike
From Jeff Grote: I have worked with Mike for a few years on the adoption team. Being a part of the Adoption Team means every person is responsible for their own forms to fill adoptions and send out. We don't work together but when one part of the team is messed up it makes it harder on all of us. Mike is always there doing his job, I know he will help me out and I am always there to help him too. Happy to have Mike a part of the A-Team and be on it with him.
From Dennis Johnson: It's always easier to write about someone you have actually met. Mike is a stalwart member of the Adoption Team and has been for quite some time. We met under less than ideal circumstances at the funeral for Gene Milner's dad in the Fort Worth, Texas area. We hadn't met but still wound up sitting together.
Mike is solid. He is here for OJC. If we had a few more like him, the rest of us could catch our breath once in a while. Because when Mike takes on something, you don't have to worry about following it up to make sure it was handled both quickly and well. Thank you, Mike, for a job well done, each and every day.
From Steve Golding: I agree with Dennis, it is certainly easier to write about someone you know - whether personally or through interaction. I have had neither with Mike Miller. However, I do know his work for OJC and to that end our POW/MIAs. Mike is methodical, diligent and tenacious. He also sounds like my type of people. When I read the article I had to nod my head in agreement with his succinct description of the best and the worst in fulfilling the adoptions. Mike exemplifies what our volunteers are all about. They go about our business quietly, diligently with dedication that is hard to come by. Largely, they are hardly known and that speaks volumes about their professionalism and dedication. You don't get readily noticed when you are doing the job; it's when the job isn't getting done that you come to so and so's attention. Although I do not personally know Mike, I want to thank him sincerely on behalf of our membership, on behalf of the families who still search and most of all on behalf of those who still wait to walk on or be planted in American Soil.
From Gene Milner: There are few people that I use the word "Friend" toward. Mike is one of the few. He took some convincing when I first approached him about OJC, he was as skeptical as I was at first. It took a lot of subtle coaxing and gathering of information to convince him that OJC was a valid and solid group of people that were actively engaged in the POW\MIA issues.
That being said, thank you for being a rock solid member of the Adoption Team, it takes dedication to keep up and still accomplish all the other things that you do.
Thanks for being my friend.
The Legal Stuff
The material contained within The Moonduster Chronciles, the official Newsletter ("NEWSLETTER") of Operation Just Cause ("OJC") is the sole responsibility of the Editor unless otherwise indicated by a name and email address. Submissions of original work, including those written by the Editor, in all issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles" do not necessarily represent the views of Operation Just Cause, the Operation Just Cause Management, Operation Just Cause Staff or the membership of Operation Just Cause. By necessity, all submissions become the property of Operation Just Cause and The Moonduster Chronicles. Comments, criticisms and points of view are welcome. Please send them to: NL@ojc.org
Copyright © 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
Operation Just Cause and The Moonduster Chronicles
