|
Died Jan. 27 at the
National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., of wounds suffered in
Baghdad, Iraq on July 9, 2007, when the vehicle he was in encountered an
improvised explosive device. |
| From The Oregonian oregonlive.com
02/02/08:
Bagpipes in the snow: Saying goodbye to Mikeal Miller
Posted by Mike Francis February 02, 2008 17:56PM
Categories: Casualties
The Patriot Guard Riders stood in the snow and rain while friends, family and well-wishers filled every corner of Mount Scott Funeral Home this afternoon to remember and pay respects to Mikeal Miller.
He was a strong, tall, smiling man who's been living in the twilight since a bomb blast in Iraq gave him a traumatic injury to the brain. When he died last month, it was the end of a long, difficult vigil for his wife, Megan, and his family.
But the Mikeal Miller who was eulogized today was strong, vibrant and loving. He was, as the governor has said many times, "the best Oregon has to offer." The pictures of him in the memorial video were heartbreaking, as they showed a man at the peak of his life, and they also showed a man with a Purple Heart medal and a breathing tube.
Q was there, as he always is, so maybe I'll ask to swipe one of his pictures. It was quite a stirring scene at Willamette National Cemetery, with the headstones covered by snow, and Mikeal's dogtags hanging on the handle of his casket.
All the best to his family. And let's continue to say his name and remember him. |
| From The Oregonian oregonlive.com
01/29/08:
Albany soldier, 22, dies of Iraq injuries
116th fatality - Sgt. Mikeal Wayne Miller, hurt in an attack in July, dies in the U.S.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
DAVID AUSTIN
The Oregonian Staff
A 22-year-old U.S. Army soldier from Albany died Sunday, more than seven months after he suffered a traumatic brain injury in an attack in Baghdad.
Sgt. Mikeal Wayne Miller, a 2003 graduate of South Albany High School, died at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland, more than a week after his family had doctors remove life support, his mother, Rene Pool, said.
Miller is the 116th member of the military from Oregon and southwest Washington to die in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.
Miller was injured July 8 when a vehicle he was riding in along the streets of Baghdad was struck by small-arms fire. He was shot in the head and sustained a brain injury, officials with the U.S. Army said.
He was flown back to the United States, where he was treated at Bethesda and a medical treatment center in California. Later, he was flown back to Bethesda, where he died, his family said.
Miller was a member of the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, said Karen Linne, a spokeswoman for Fort Carson, Colo., where Miller had been based. He was injured during his second deployment in Iraq.
Linne said Miller entered the Army in August 2003, a few months after his high school graduation. He was deployed to Iraq in August 2004 for a year and later redeployed in October 2006 until the time of his injury.
Once he returned home, Miller was transferred to the Fort Lewis Warrior Transition Unit, which aids wounded soldiers, Linne said.
While serving in the Army, Miller received numerous commendations, including the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Korea Defense Service Medal.
He also received the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and a Combat Infantryman's Badge.
He is survived by his wife, Meg Miller; his mother; his father, Steve; and three brothers, friends said. |
Soldier eulogized as best part of his parents
The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Albany soldier killed in Iraq was remembered Saturday as the best part of both of his parents at his service and burial in Willamette national Cemetery.
Sgt. Mikeal Miller, 22, was hit in the head by shrapnel in Baghdad June 9 and died Jan. 27. He was on his second tour in Iraq.
“Time is too slow for those who wait,” said Gov. Theodore Kulongoski, quoting author Henry Van Dyke. “Too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”
Friends, family and Gen. Charles Jacoby remembered Miller with stories and photos.
“Mike was the best part of me and the best part of Rene mixed together,” his father Steve said. “Megan, he loved you to death,” he said of Miller’s wife.
“I feel glad, and I am happy that he was mine,” Steve Miller said.
Miller’s mother, wife and father each received a folded flag at the service.
Miller never regained consciousness after he was wounded. He died at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.
Miller grew up in Lakeview and Albany, and he played football at South Albany High School.
The last picture in the slide show was of Megan’s hand holding Mike’s on his hospital bed.
Miller joined the Army in 2003, the summer after he graduated high school. He was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and again in October 2006. His medals included the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
He was the 103rd person from Oregon or with close Oregon ties to die in Iraq or Afghanistan, according to a list maintained by the governor’s office. |
