L-S Grads Get 'Tough' in Helping Milley Foundation

The Lt. Scott F. Milley Ranger Foundation was created to honor the life of the Army Ranger and Sudbury resident. Milley gave his life on Nov. 30, 2010, while serving as a member of the prestigious 10th Mountain Division.

"We wanted to do something local, something that meant a lot. Scott was big in this town, everyone knew him and he was such an inspiration," Gardent said. "He inspired me a lot. He inspired a lot of people and we felt like it was the right thing to do."

Those who participated were Gardent, Kevin Stearns, Jeff Crowell, Joe Rottman, Nolan Flagg, Dylan Deflorio, Luke Goodrich, Bryan Becker, Jake Klein. None of them knew Scott. But they all knew of his legacy.

"It’s a great tribute to Scott," said Steve Milley, Scott's father who also particpated in the Mudder. "Somehow, this town told these kids what happened. This little thank you dinner is the Foundation’s way of telling them to pass it down to someone else."

The boys wound up raising $300 in one day at L-S, asking fellow students, teachers and administrators if they would like to donate to their cause.

"I’m always impressed when people act when they don’t have to," Milley told the boys over a pu-pu platter at Lavender Asian Cuisine and Bar. "You didn’t have to do anything. You could have been hanging all summer. You didn’t have to blow a whole day with an old guy on a hill. But you did it. The Foundation appreciates it."

Only 78 percent of entrants successfully complete each challenge at the Mudder, and more than $5 million has been raised for the Wounded Warrior Project.

"The 10,000 people that participated that weekend don't have a clue who
the people they were helping were, only that they are veterans," Gardent said. "They don't know what they look like, where they live, or what branch of the military they are a part of. And yet (they) are still willing to help out people who have given so much. And I think I speak for everyone when I say to wear Scott's name on our shirts and to represent him was an unbelievable honor."

According to the Mudder website, there are 25 obstacles on the mountain. The final one included going through electric wires. After four hours of pain, the team of 10 decided there was only one way to finish what they started almost four months ago.

"We lined up," Gardent said, "and said 'One, two, three ... Go!' and crossed (the finish line) together."