USO - ILLINOIS
SWEET HOME CHICAGO
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(This article was written in September 2008 when Master Sergeant Miller was preparing to retire from the Air Force after almost 26 years of military service.)
IN THE BEGINNING
By Master Sergeant Chris Miller
United States Air Force
Nearly 26 years in the Air Force sure has gone by quickly! It seems like only yesterday when I boarded a bus in Dayton, Ohio in March of 1983 and headed to Cincinnati for the Military Entrance Processing Station and the beginning of my journey. Along the way I have been to many great places, met and worked with amazing people, done tons of neat things, played sports all over the world and enjoyed every minute of it.
By Master Sergeant Chris Miller
United States Air Force
Nearly 26 years in the Air Force sure has gone by quickly! It seems like only yesterday when I boarded a bus in Dayton, Ohio in March of 1983 and headed to Cincinnati for the Military Entrance Processing Station and the beginning of my journey. Along the way I have been to many great places, met and worked with amazing people, done tons of neat things, played sports all over the world and enjoyed every minute of it.
Being in the public affairs career field has afforded me the opportunity to get out from behind a desk and do things a lot of people might envy. Here are some of the highlights of what I’ve done: As a military journalist and while working on base newspapers, I’ve interviewed three Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, two Secretaries of Defense, and numerous generals, including a couple who would go on to be the Air Force Chiefs of Staff.
Gerry Senisi with Master Sergeant Chris Miller United States Air Force
I was at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 11, 2001 when the world changed forever. I’ve deployed around the world and been part of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Provide Promise, and most recently, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. I’ve visited historic sites in Athens, Greece, helped set up a presidential visit, was in the arena for a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, met too many professional athletes to name, been to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea and actually stood in North Korea.
I was at MacDill AFB in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 11, 2001 when the world changed forever. I’ve deployed around the world and been part of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Provide Comfort, Operation Provide Promise, and most recently, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. I’ve visited historic sites in Athens, Greece, helped set up a presidential visit, was in the arena for a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, met too many professional athletes to name, been to the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea and actually stood in North Korea.
I’ve seen my oldest daughter Kristy grow from a toddler on the beach in Crete, Greece, to an amazing mother of my grandchildren. My youngest daughter Mackenzie was born overseas in Germany and is getting ready for her senior year in high school. She thinks she’s part German! I’ve thrown out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox game, been the honorary captain at a Northwestern football game, finally completed my bachelor’s degree after more than 30 years and played golf with generals.
None of this would have been possible if I had not enlisted in the Air Force back in 1983. So, after nearly 26 years, I leave behind a fun filled, satisfying military career I wouldn’t change for the world. But, a new chapter in my life began July 21, 2008 when I started working for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and we will see where that takes us!
Update as of Sept. 11, 2018: Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Chris Miller has been working for the USO of Illinois for the past six years as the Director of Center Operations and Volunteer Services. In that role, he oversees the five USO centers in Illinois which are located at the Rock Island Arsenal, Naval Station Great Lakes, Midway Airport and two centers at O’Hare Airport. He is also responsible for the almost 700 active volunteers who provide more than 50,000 hours of service each year to the USO of Illinois making sure the centers are open to take care of military members and their families.
After finally completing his bachelor’s degree in 2008, Miller received his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2012. Personally, he and his wife Shari have been married for over 19 years and they now have seven grandchildren, six girls and one boy!
Update as of Sept. 11, 2018: Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Chris Miller has been working for the USO of Illinois for the past six years as the Director of Center Operations and Volunteer Services. In that role, he oversees the five USO centers in Illinois which are located at the Rock Island Arsenal, Naval Station Great Lakes, Midway Airport and two centers at O’Hare Airport. He is also responsible for the almost 700 active volunteers who provide more than 50,000 hours of service each year to the USO of Illinois making sure the centers are open to take care of military members and their families.
After finally completing his bachelor’s degree in 2008, Miller received his MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2012. Personally, he and his wife Shari have been married for over 19 years and they now have seven grandchildren, six girls and one boy!
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The USO relies solely on donations ... touches the lives of nearly 325,000
USO information: The mission of the USO is to strengthen America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. As the premier provider of programs and centers, the USO of Illinois is the leader and trusted resource that serves the needs of the military community, in times of peace and war, and acts as a bridge to the public. Since 1941, the USO has served as a private, civilian 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that receives no direct government funding, but relies solely on the generosity of the American people.
The USO of Illinois touches the lives of nearly 325,000 Active Duty, Guard and Reserve military and military families throughout Illinois. Offered year round, the USO of Illinois provides hundreds of programs and services that enhance the quality of our service members lives which raise morale through unique recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities and USO Center facilities at Midway Airport, Great Lakes Naval Station, O’Hare Terminal 2, O’Hare Terminal 3 and the Rock Island Arsenal. Together, our network of hundreds of volunteers donates nearly 50,000 hours of service annually in honor of our brave men and women. The USO is chartered by Congress as a non-profit organization. It is not part of the U.S. government but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States.
The USO of Illinois touches the lives of nearly 325,000 Active Duty, Guard and Reserve military and military families throughout Illinois. Offered year round, the USO of Illinois provides hundreds of programs and services that enhance the quality of our service members lives which raise morale through unique recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities and USO Center facilities at Midway Airport, Great Lakes Naval Station, O’Hare Terminal 2, O’Hare Terminal 3 and the Rock Island Arsenal. Together, our network of hundreds of volunteers donates nearly 50,000 hours of service annually in honor of our brave men and women. The USO is chartered by Congress as a non-profit organization. It is not part of the U.S. government but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States.
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