Major Patrick Miller arrived home to western New York Friday. Miller was shot in the abdomen during an active shooter situation in Fort Hood, Texas on April 2.
The Allegany native was reportedly the highest ranking officer in the building during the time the mass shooting erupted and is responsible for saving the lives of seven people while wounded.
Friends and family members cried tears of joy as they hugged Miller and welcomed him home at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. Miller said he can’t put into words how happy he is to be home.
“Just coming home to Buffalo and western New York an area that I love, where I’m from, where I’m proud to say I’m from, and just coming into the airport was crazy. Seeing people I know, the family and friends here and seeing them for the first time since at one point thinking you were not going to see them again is a surreal feeling and it’s awesome,” said Miller.
Miller says he doesn’t consider himself to be a hero even though many across the country are considering him to be one.
“It’s the people that make the ultimate sacrifice and don’t get the welcome home ceremony and the parades those are the true heroes. And If we’re talking about April 2 then Sgt. First Class Daniel Ferguson, Sgt. Tim Owens, and Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazaney, those are the true heroes along with my brothers and sisters who’ve never made it home either,” said Miller.
The Patriot Guard Riders stood on both sides of the exit and saluted Miller. On Saturday, Miller will serve as the Grand Marshall in Allegany’s Old Home Week parade.
Miller said he would like to thank everyone from western New York “from the bottom of his heart” for all of their support as he says it made a “difference in his recovery.”