Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik voted yesterday in favor of legislation to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Bozeman, Montana, as the “Travis W. Atkins Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic”. Staff Sergeant Travis Atkins, a Montana native who was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President Trump after he prevented an insurgent from detonating a suicide vest near his soldiers while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. SSG Atkins bear-hugged the man from behind, threw him to the ground and pinned him there, shielding his fellow soldiers who were only a few feet away. SSG Atkins sacrificed his life to save the lives of three of his fellow soldiers.
“I am proud to help the House pass this legislation to honor a former 10th Mountain Division soldier and a true American hero, Travis Atkins,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Staff Sergeant Atkins is a shining example of the bravery and sacrifice that our nation’s men and women in uniform exhibit each day. I applaud my House and Senate colleagues for coming together to name this clinic in honor of Staff Sergeant Atkins and the tremendous bravery he displayed by selflessly sacrificing his life to save the lives of his soldiers.”
