Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller, who has been closely involved with Selfridge Air National Guard Base for more than 40 years, has been named by the Michigan National Guard as honorary commander of the Harrison Township base.
“Selfridge, its mission and dedicated personnel have been near and dear to my heart for decades. I’m deeply moved, very humbled and grateful for this unexpected honor,” Miller said.
“Commissioner Miller has proven that the timeless values of loyalty, honor, integrity and personal courage are so much more than mere words, and are a living testament to the highest hopes and ideals of our nation,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Rolf Mammen, 127th Wing commander. “Through the years, she has served the men and women of Selfridge as a Key Spouse, community leader, U.S. Representative, an outstanding center of influence, and most importantly, as a friend.”
Mammen also recognizes Miller as a personal mentor to him.
The title of base honorary commander to Miller was announced July 8 by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general, Michigan National Guard, during a visit to the base by U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall III. It’s the first time the title of honorary commander has been given at Selfridge ANGB.
As Harrison Township supervisor in the 1980’s, Miller was a local leader who fought against a push to turn the base into a joint-use facility that would have allowed for commercial use of the base. Later, Miller advocated for Selfridge to three different Base Realignment and Closure Commissions over a period of decades to ensure the base remained open.
While in Congress, Miller helped lead efforts to keep A-10 jets from being eliminated from Selfridge.
“I have been proud to work alongside many others to advocate for Selfridge,” Miller said. ”The best part of my association with Selfridge has been the opportunity to work with the many brave men and women who have served there, proudly defending our liberty, democracy and freedom every day.”
During her 14 years as a member of Congress representing Michigan’s 10th District, Miller served as vice chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security and was chairman of the Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security. In 2012, she became only the 30th person to be awarded the Harry S Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense. The award, presented by the National Guard Association of the United States, saluted not only a career of Miller’s tireless support of the Michigan National Guard, but also her advocacy to elevate the commander of the U.S. National Guard to 4-star general rank and to a seat on the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Miller is currently a member of the Selfridge Base Community Council.
Selfridge, which is marking its 105th anniversary, is home to all five branches of the armed forces. It currently houses the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker.
Miller’s late husband, Donald Miller, who flew combat missions during the Vietnam War and then continued his military career in the Michigan National Guard, earned the rank of colonel and retired as Selfridge’s base commander and director of operations of the Air National Guard’s 127th Tactical Fighter Wing in 1988.
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