Veteran Travis Mills To Bring Story Of Inspiration To Students At The 2014 USA Science & Engineering Festival

BETHESDA, Md., March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] is honored to host wounded warrior and motivational speaker retired U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills of the 82^nd Airborne at the upcoming USA Science & Engineering Festival.

Mills is one of only five quadruple amputees who served in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive such injuries. He will speak to students about how engineering and technology – coupled with his inspiring motto of "never give up, never quit" – helped him overcome unimaginable circumstances. 

Mills will describe the important work of biomedical engineers and breakthrough technologies that created the prosthetic systems that enable him to walk, run, dress, eat, workout and more. He will demonstrate how his prosthetics assist him with these daily activities.

"Travis is one of the most inspiring and encouraging stories of our generation," said Dr. Ray O. Johnson, Festival co-founder and Lockheed Martin senior vice president and chief technology officer. "His perseverance is remarkable and he brings a unique and motivating story to our stage and to the overall STEM discussion."

Mills will be featured on the Lockheed Martin stage among a rotation of inventors, entrepreneurs, and celebrities April 25-27, 2014, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C.

"It's an honor to be able to share my story with the next generation," said Mills. "Determination and modern technology helped me survive and allowed me to continue to enjoy many of the things I did before I was injured in Afghanistan, including playing with my daughter Chloe. I am a living example of STEM in action. I hope to inspire students to consider a career in science and math, to chase their dreams and to never give up and never quit."

On April 10, 2012, Mills was critically injured during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. His amazing strength, courage, and incredible will to live - combined with help from his Army comrades and Walter Reed Army Medical Center – empowered him to overcome the obstacles of living life as a quadruple amputee.

Mills' story is documented in the film: Travis: A Soldier's Story, which was seen in theaters nationwide in 2013. Last September, he founded the Travis Mills Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to benefit and assist wounded and injured veterans.

In addition to the stage, Lockheed Martin engineers and technologists will showcase awe-inspiring technologies and interactive, hands-on exhibits in the areas of advanced aeronautics, data analytics, scientific discovery, nanotechnologies, robotics and energy.

More than 500,000 people participated in the events at the 2012 USA Science & Engineering Festival. The three-day expo at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center draws students, parents, teachers, as well as organizations and companies interested in investing in STEM education. To learn more about Lockheed Martin's involvement in the festival, as well as details on the exhibits, click here.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 115,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com/usasef

SOURCE Lockheed Martin