By Doug Otto
Ocean City American Legion Post 524 will welcome another veteran family to “America’s Favorite Family Resort” on Sunday September 17th, when it welcomes US Air Force Master Sergeant Matthew Miller and his family for an all-expenses paid week’s vacation, courtesy of the service organization’s Rest & Relaxation Program.
The Miller’s will be honored during a welcoming ceremony at Post 524, following a police and fire department escort into town, along with a motorcycle accompaniment by the Legion Riders from Somers Point American Legion Post 352.
A free condominium for the week, as well as a multitude of gifts from local Ocean City businesses, will be given to the Miller’s as a way to say “Thank You for your service and sacrifice.”
MSgt. Miller manages 230 personnel who maintain KC-10 refueling aircraft. He also oversees more than 30 personnel who help ready and deploy aircraft for worldwide operations.
For the past five years, MSgt Miller has been stationed at New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Ft. Dix-Lakehurst, where he is a technical instructor. Previously, he was stationed at Travis AFB in California and McConnell AFB in Kansas, during which time he deployed six times.
MSgt Miller has deployed to the United States CENTCOM Area Of Responsibility (which stretches from Northeast Africa across the Middle East to Central and South Asia) seven times in the last 15-years. He has received four Commendation medals, one Achievement medal, and several annual/quarterly awards.
The Miller family includes the Staff Sergeant’s wife, Renee, along with his three children; sons: Carsten, (age 5) and Torin, (age 3), and daughter: Awyn, (age 1.)
This is the fifth consecutive year that Ocean City’s American Legion Post 524 has hosted military service personnel and their families while they enjoy our shore community and its many amenities.
“The Veterans Rest & Relaxation Program began in 2013 as a way to pay tribute to servicemen and women for sacrifices made during their time in the military,” said R & R Program Chairman Jerry Bonner. “Whenever military personnel are deployed, their families also share in that deployment and we support their efforts as well.”
