Travis Mills and Julie and Bryce Davis. Mills’ “resilience” inspired the Davises to support his work with veterans. Contributed / Bryce and Julie Davis
The third annual Tee Off for the Travis Mills Foundation golf tournament will be held at Val Halla Golf Course in Cumberland Friday, part of two Realtors’ mission to support the work of the organization that aids post-9/11 veterans.
Julie and Bryce Davis of Portland-based The Davis Team hope to raise $40,000 for the foundation’s retreat program, which brings veterans and their families to the Belgrade Lakes area for an all-inclusive stay that includes family activities and R&R. Last year, money raised from the tournament allowed three families to go on the retreat; this year they hope to send eight.
The Davises facilitate real estate sales for all sorts of would-be homebuyers throughout Cumberland County, but they also specifically focus on providing real estate assistance to veterans and first responders.
The couple first met Travis Mills, a veteran and the man behind the Travis Mills Foundation, nearly a decade ago when he spoke at Unity Environmental University, Bryce Davis said.
“He personifies resilience,” said Julie Davis of Mills in explaining why she and her husband – neither of whom are veterans – are motivated to support Mills’ cause. She also expressed gratitude more generally for veterans.
During the pandemic, the couple decided to make a career switch and became real estate professionals after working for many years in different fields. It was around that time they decided they wanted to give back by supporting the Travis Mills Foundation and furthering its mission.
Mills, a retired army staff sergeant, was stationed in Afghanistan in 2012 when he was critically injured by an improvised explosive device. He is one of a handful of quadruple amputees from the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan to survive such serious injuries, according to his website. His 2016 book “Tough As They Come” was a New York Times bestseller.
Friday’s golf tournament features 65 sponsors, 36 golf teams, an auction and a raffle. A number of the golf teams are made up of veterans.
The musician Dan Merrill will play music at Rachel’s On The Green. There will also be a lunch reception at 1:30 p.m. and a speech by Mills.
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