ABOUT KYLE

  After witnessing the tragedy our nation faced on September 11, 2001, Kyle Milliken joined the U. S Navy with the intent of becoming a US NAVY SEAL. Kyle went on to complete Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and began a career defending our nation. He deployed continuously over 12 years rising through the ranks to become a Team Leader and lead Sniper for his Team. Kyle was more than just a great SEAL, he was a great Husband, Father and Friend. Kyle’s competitive nature drove him to be the best in each of these aspects of his life. He was a Friend you always wanted around. As a Husband he was loving and loyal, as a Father, he was an incredible role model for his children by waking early for swim lessons in the surf or sending his kids off on two wheelers at 2 years of age. Kyle was driven to help them be their best. During his last deployment, Kyle was accepted to William and Mary’s Business School and his next deployment was to be non-operational so he could focus on earning his MBA. Tragically, Kyle was killed on May 5 during combat operations in Somalia. Kyle left behind his wife Erin and their 2 children. Our nation also lost a great patriot and a great warrior.

From the moment that Kyle was killed in action a wave of patriotic Americans surrounded his family with love, compassion and monetary support. We were successful in raising a substantial amount of funds through partner charities to pay off the remainder of the Milliken mortgage, and contribute to other charities that support Naval Special Warfare.

To commemorate Kyle, the Kyle Milliken Memorial Golf Tournament was established in 2017. In its first three years, through the hard work of family and friends, this annual event has raised over $200,000 to benefit families of fallen heroes and the Navy SEAL Foundation.

Since that time, in 2019 Kyle’s wife Erin created the Kyle Milliken Foundation (KMF) in an effort to provide that same generous support to other Gold Star Families.  Gold Star Families, are families left behind when service members are killed in battle

While never be able to repay everyone for their incredible generosity to the Milliken family, the KMF can pay it forward.  The KMF honors Kyle’s legacy through direct support service family members  whose loved ones have been killed or injured with an emphasis on Gold Star families and the Naval Special Warfare/Special Operations community.

Generous support to the KMF has provided the foundation to continue this mission, as the challenges that face Gold Star families continue to present themselves and evolve over time. The proceeds from future Kyle Milliken Memorial Golf Tournaments will benefit the Kyle Milliken Foundation. The KMF will use these funds to help keep these families strong, and minimize the impact of the loss of their service member.

Kyle was the cornerstone of his family, friends, and teammates and is profoundly missed.