Hot Sauce Fundraiser Nets $2K in 1 Day for Milley Memorial

It's been almost three years since First Lt. Scott F. Milley made the ultimate sacrifice, dying in Afganistan while serving as a U.S. Army Ranger. And during that time, the Town of Sudbury has continued to show unwavering support for its hometown hero and his family.

There have been charitable hockey games, a concert cruise and other events to help raise money for the Lt. Scott F. Milley Ranger Foundation, which uses funds to provide scholarships to individuals with need and with a record of service and leadership.

But earlier this year, a group of neighbors wanted to do more and asked a memorial be built at Willis Pond, where Scott and his friends spent countless hours growing up. That request was granted by the Town of Sudbury in April, and a committee was formed to help raise funds and awareness.    

On July 28 at Sudbury Farms, the group sold Bentley's Hot Sauce, which was donated by a Sudbury-based Ashley Foods, and raised $2,000 for the project.

"It’s a little bit overwhelming and a bit humbling. Incredibly kind people, and now the kindness is directed from the neighborhood, which is really tight," said Steve Milley, Scott's father. "This committee is all neighborhood folks ... no one related, and (other) people are even jumping in to help."

Bentley is the dog Scott rescued on the side of the road near Ft. Polk in Louisiana before his deployment to Afghanistan.

Steve Milley said he was awestruck when he first got word of a possible memorial for his son. 

"Scott spent, as did a lot of kids in that neighborhood, a lot of time down there," he said. "Just a fun place away from mom and dad. So for them to offer that, or the Town to step up and say yes you can do it ... People stroll through there every night. And for there to, literally, be a very natural sitting area, it’s a huge plus … for the neighborhood, for the Town, for anyone who’s coming through there. We weighed the pros and cons, and there are no cons."

Steve praised the efforts of everyone involved in the memorial project, especially Combined Facilities Director Jim Kelly.

"We’re in the very beginning stages of it. The foundation is set, the permit is in place, getting the construction people … we’re in that mode right now," Kelly said. "There’s been a lot of offers for materials from granite to planting, so it’s more of an organizational endeavor right now. We need money to get the project done."

Kelly said he spent time during the July 29 fundraiser and was in awe of the support.

"It brings tears to your eyes," he said. "When you talk to people (you realize) how many people knew him. It’s just unbelievable. What struck me was the people, they looked at it and said whatever we can do to help and put money in the jar."

Steve Milley said he and his family are doing OK these days. His oldest son, Steve, recently got engaged, and the family is also gearing up for a charity cruise in Boston Harbor on Sept. 5.

But on this day, Steve is looking at the numerous 5- to 8-year-olds at the adjacent state-of-the-art air beam shelter resident Major Dennis Ford erected to help bring attention for the memorial project. He can't help but think this is how Scott first got the itch to join the Army.

"Scott’s sacrifice is what we never lose sight of. It’s there every single day," Steve said. "It’s the elephant in the room. But I don’t want anyone to forget there’s two guys a day (who die in battle). These kids, in 10 years, if they put on that helmet, they take that risk."