Army Specialist E-4 George Hiller

A broken neck cut short George Hiller’s plans to pursue a career in the Army, but it didn’t dampen his interest in aircraft nor his desire to give back to other veterans.

Hiller said ever since he was a young boy, he was fascinated with planes in general, especially military aircraft.

He said he used to fly with his grandfather, who was a private pilot, back and forth from the Chicago area, where Hiller grew up, to a family summer home in the Gunnison, Colo. area.

He was a freshman in high school when the 9/11 terrorist attacks happened, and that “solidified” his decision to go into the military.

From Feb. 2007 to May 2014, he served in the U.S. Army as a specialist E-4. He worked doing aircraft pneudraulics systems repair, and was a door gunner on CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Hiller’s service took him to South Korea; Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Afghanistan; and Wheeler Army Airfield in Hawaii.

During his service in Afghanistan, from 2009-2010, he received an Air Medal with “V” Device, a combat action badge, an Army Commendation Medal and other certificates and achievements for volunteer work.

It was while Hiller was in Hawaii that he broke his neck and received a medical discharge.

“I did everything I could to try to stay in,” he said, but just couldn’t keep up with his assignments and duties.

Despite the injury which cut short his military career plans, Hiller said, “I enjoyed 99 percent of my experience and wouldn’t change any of it for anything.”

Hiller said he definitely recommends the military to others.

Upon his discharge, Hiller, who had a good friend in Grant County, moved here for a couple of months while weighing options.

He enjoyed his time in Grant County and plans to return here to vacation and hunt. But his determination to continue working with aircraft compelled him to move to Michigan where the job market is stronger in that field. He plans to head to college to pursue his airframe and powerplant license to become a certified aircraft mechanic.

Hiller will also be closer to family there and will take care of his ailing grandfather who helped give wings to his interest in aircraft.

The move also offers him the opportunity to volunteer for the Honor Flight Network – a program which helps provide flights for veterans to visit memorials in Washington, D.C. – which has a station in Kalamazoo, Mich.

“Giving back my military service allows me to help other veterans,” Hiller said.

“My life’s not about me – it’s about helping others.”