Body of fallen SEAL returning to US

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) - The body of a Navy SEAL from Bastrop is expected to return to U.S. soil Tuesday, along with 29 other American troops killed when their helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan.

The family of Chief Petty Officer Matt Mills, 36, is at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware waiting for their sons remains to arrive.

"He had a lot of love in his heart and he was proud of his country," said his sister, Ashley Mills, when she spoke to KXAN News Saturday.

The SEAL had just gotten married about three months ago, and was a father of three. Mills was a member of the unit known as SEAL Team Six -- the same unit responsible for killing Osama bin Laden.

He was one of 30 service members killed in the crash. There were 22 were Navy SEALs who lost their lives. Many were husbands and fathers.

The wife of fallen Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughan, 30, of Virginia Beach said his legacy will live through their two children. He made it home for the most recent birth just a couple of months ago.

"They will take away his strength and his love for his country, and they will know what an amazing man he is...was," said his wife, Kimberly Vaughan.

Another family from Maui said their fallen hero, Kraig Vickers, was born to be a Navy SEAL. They described him as a big man with a big heart.

Kevin Houston wanted to be a SEAL since the fifth grade. In Afghanistan he always carried an American flag under his body armor, next to his heart -- except on this final mission. He had sent the flag to his mentor who was a Vietnam Veteran.

Once their remains arrive at Dover Air Force Base Tuesday, military mortuary specialists will start identifying them. A private ceremony will follow for the fallen. It will be closed to the press.