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Politics & Government

Honoring the Fallen: Wheaton Solder Receives Medal of Honor

St. Micahel's Parish held a ceremony to honor Staff Sgt. Robert Miller, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor today, Wednesday, Oct. 6.

Principled. Heroic. Valorous.

Those were words frequently used Wednesday morning to describe the life of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller at a memorial Mass and prayer service at St. Michael's Parish and School in Wheaton. Miller, a Special Forces weapons specialist, graduated from the St. Michael's in 1998. Miller went on to Wheaton North High School where he was captain of the gymnastics team before spending a year at the University of Iowa. Still angered over the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Miller joined the Army in 2003. Within a year he became a Green Beret.

In 2008 Miller was part of a strike team sent to knock out a Taliban—controlled base in the mountains of Afghanistan. In the middle of a firefight, Miller engaged the enemy and made himself a target while ordering his men to find cover. Military records indicate Miller killed 16 of the enemy and wounded another 30 before he succumbed to enemy fire, but not before saving his 22 comrades. Miller was 24.

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"He displayed immeasurable courage and uncommon valor—eventually sacrificing his own life to save the lives of his teammates," a White House statement said.

On Wednesday President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Miller the Medal of Honor in a ceremony at the White House. At the same time friends in Wheaton remembered a friend who gave his life for beliefs he held dear. Hundreds gathered at St. Michael's for a memorial mass and a ceremony to dedicate the new Robert J. Miller Memorial Plaza, located at the corner of Willow Avenue and Wheaton Avenue.

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"As his family is in Washington, we are here as his family today in Wheaton," said the Rev. Don E. McLaughlin, pastor at St. Michaels.

That family was definitely extended Wednesday morning as hundreds gathered to honor a fallen hero.

Wheaton mayor Michael Gresk said Miller was a true hero in every sense of the word. He said Miller should be held up as a role model who inspires the people to be better than they are.

Citing the Crispen's Day speech from William Shakespeare's play "Henry V," Gresk said Miller personified what it means to be a member of a "band of brothers."

Lawrence Lavanway, a Naperville Attorney who works in Wheaton, said he never knew Miller, but felt compelled to come and pay his respects. Lavanway said he never served in the military and that was something he regrets.

"I wanted to come out and pay my respects to someone who gave the ultimate sacrifice," Lavanway said.

Dan Proft, a graduate of St. Michaels and former Republican gubernatorial candidate, said Miller's life and death are a testament to the city of Wheaton and the American spirit. Proft said Miller had a desire to live for something bigger than himself. Proft read a recount of the firefight that cost Miller his life. He said the "dry recitation of those words" does not do justice to Miller.

"We owe him in the way we live our lives," Proft said.

Rep. Peter Roskam said Miller's sacrifice caused him to reflect on the Book of Hebrews and the concept of being a witness for faith. Witnesses support us and bear the truth and that is what Miller did, Roskam said.

"Robby has invited us to stand up and be counted."

Roskam said Miller's sacrifice should cause everyone to reflect on the principles of this nation's founding.

"America is more than a country. It's an idea. Robby knew that and he was convicted from it," Roskam said. "He knew our heritage and he bore witness to it. He laid down his life for it. Without a doubt he heard the Lord Jesus say 'well done my good and faithful servant.'"

Miller is the third U.S. service member to receive the Medal of Honor for the Afghanistan conflict. In the 149 years since the Medal of Honor was created, there have been less than 3,500 medals awarded.

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