
Photos courtesy of Mike Mikos.
1113 Veterans Day
Sergeant Bradac (Mikos’ cousin) and Sergeant Mike Mikos.
Try to ask Staff Sergeant Mike Mikos about his military service, and he’ll look at you sideways. Thank him for his service? He’ll give you a polite nod, and then maneuver the conversation to another topic — any other topic.
A third-generation soldier, Mikos played an integral part of both Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While many of his friends were settling into their careers, Mikos was engaged with the 187th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard with the singular focus of targeting and isolating scud site activity. The unit quickly distinguished itself when, in the winter of 2003, they became the first Alabama Air National Guard unit to establish a bare base in theater – where the war camp fights.
Still, the normally gregarious Mikos is reluctant to get into details. It’s not to be evasive, but rather out of solemn respect and regard for the vets who, in his view, accomplished more, endured more, and deserve more.
With this in mind, Mikos has placed an increasing focus on giving back to his brothers in service.
His efforts take on many forms, from employment (more than 80% of his work force are veterans) — to philanthropy. This marks the third consecutive year Mikos has executed a fundraising campaign tied that donates a portion of his company’s earnings to a veteran-focused 501c3.
Through a chance meeting at a recent luncheon for the Hoover Chamber of Commerce, Mikos bumped into an Army veteran affiliated with Team Red, White and Blue. The group’s mission immediately struck a chord with Mikos.
“They help veterans get involved in communities, which is so vital,” he said. “A lot of times when they come back, there is not a lot they have in common with average folks. Most people get out of high school, go to college, get a job, and go about their day to day, but for the guys who have spent most of their twenties and thirties in the military, it’s a totally different regimen. There’s just not much in common.”
The charity’s focus on adjustment, particularly with veterans struggling with PTSD, confirmed to Mikos that he’d made the right decision.
“We don’t set a specific goal, but we will go out and do the best we can,” said Mikos. “My guys will work hard. They understand why we are doing it, and even though they’d never admit it, I know that some of the guys working for us are fighting the same battles for the guys we are helping.”