TRAVERSE CITY — Tim Taft never met Marine Cpl. Paul James Miller.
But Taft, 40, of Traverse City, left work Tuesday to honor the young Benzie County corporal who died last week in overseas combat.
Taft parked near Sixth Street and watched as several veterans and local authorities escorted a vehicle that transported Miller's remains from Cherry Capital Airport to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in preparation for his memorial service.
"When things like this happen, it makes you put all your priorities in check," Taft said. "It's an unfortunate necessity of freedom to have somebody do that. It's time to reevaluate and say thank you."
Miller, 22, of Lake Ann, died last week after a roadside bomb exploded nearby while he was on foot patrol with the Third Combat Engineer Battalion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, U.S. Department of Defense records show.
Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home, while funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Lake Ann United Methodist Church. The memorial service will include full military honors at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm also ordered that U.S. flags be lowered on Thursday throughout the state in honor of Miller's funeral services, as requested by his family, according to a statement from the governor's office.
Miller was a 2006 graduate of Benzie Central High School and enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah, sister Ashley and parents Jim and Teresa Miller.
Region
Related Photos
-
People line the road outside General Aviation to honor Miller upon his arrival. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
-
A Marine Honor Guard carries the casket of Marine Cpl. Paul James Miller upon his arrival in Traverse City on a charter flight on Tuesday, just after noon. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
-
Ginny Hlavka of Kingsley watches the casket of Marine Cpl. Paul James Miller his arive in Traverse City on a charter flight on Tuesday. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
-
Numerous other veterans groups, police, fire, Coast Guard and civilians were on hand for the arrival of Marine Cpl. Paul James Miller on a charter flight on Tuesday, just after noon. The fallen Lake Ann native was returned in preparation for Thursday's memorial service. Miller was killed by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol with the Third Combat Engineer Battalion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Fallen Marine returns home
Lake Ann native died last week in Afghanistan
-
-
Disabled man killed in blaze
Heavy smoke and flames rebuffed attempts by family, neighbors, police and fire officials to rescue a disabled man stranded in his Kalkaska Township home.
Continued ... -
Woman pleads guilty to animal cruelty
The frozen carcasses of two horses lay in Danelle Marie Round's pasture on the day she pleaded guilty to a single animal cruelty misdemeanor.
Continued ... -
Charged teacher waives exam, denied bond
A former Traverse City schoolteacher waived a preliminary examination and remains in jail on a charge of having sex with a student.
Continued ... -
BATA: 'Don't know how much money we will receive'
County transportation authorities are criticizing a federal bill they say could hurt state mass transit funding by putting it on year-to-year life cycle.
Continued ... -
Third Level offers suicide alertness workshop
Third Level Crisis Intervention Center will offer a one-day workshop for people who want to help those at risk of suicide.
Continued ... -
DNA ties Holly man to 2009 break-in
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for a Holly man whose DNA ties him to a 2009 Traverse City break-in.
Continued ... -
Man arraigned in late-night chase
A man shot by police Taser after a late-night chase was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
Trojan debate team receives $30,000 grant
A local foundation donated $30,000 to Traverse City Central High School's debate team.
Continued ... - Friday, February 10, 2012
-
One dead in Kalkaska blaze
Fire and police officials found a victim about 3:30 p.m. today inside a Kalkaska Township home engulfed by flames.
Continued ... -
Vasa brings skiers, business
Skiers aren't the only ones thrilled the annual Vasa race will proceed despite warm temperatures and little snow.
Continued ... -
Sparks fly over TCLP substation plan
Traverse City Light & Power wants a new southside substation to shore up its electric system, but Mayor Michael Estes fears the big site is a Trojan horse for a new power plant.
Continued ... -
Grand Traverse freezes pay for officials
Grand Traverse County plans to freeze elected officials' salaries and eliminate a car allowance in 2013 because of continued uncertainty over its revenue stream.
Continued ... -
Blair man accused of meat-fork threat
A Blair Township man was arrested for assault after police said he threatened his girlfriend with a meat-carving fork.
Continued ... -
Drop-off recycling site relocating
A drop-off recycling site on LaFranier Road is being relocated.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 9, 2012
-
Ex-TC teacher to waive exam in sex case
A Traverse City teacher accused of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student is expected to waive a preliminary examination in 86th District Court.
Continued ... -
A changing of the guard in GT County
The 2012 elections will bring a major change of the Grand Traverse County guard. The county's long-time clerk, treasurer and prosecutor won't seek re-election this year — three officials whose combined county experience spans more than 90 years.
Continued ... -
Janik tapped for Leelanau administrator
Chet Janik hopes to come home. The Leelanau County board offered its administrator job to Chet Janik, who came to Leelanau as a child when his parents emigrated from Poland.
Continued ... -
Dog park backers plan fundraisers
Dog park supporters raised more than a third of a $15,000 goal just a month into efforts to pay for Traverse City's first park for pets. Work continues to bring in the remaining money.
Continued ... -
Police: Man breaks up fight with gun
Police said a man on Traverse City's east side tried to stop a fight outside his home with a handgun.
Continued ... -
Tased man charged as habitual offender
A man stunned by police Taser in a home invasion incident was arraigned in 86th District Court.
Continued ... - Wednesday, February 8, 2012
-
Body of missing fisherman found
Authorities say a dive team has recovered the body of a 33-year-old fisherman who fell through the ice of a pond near Mesick.
Continued ... -
Pears to replace dead ash trees
Downtown streets in the Cherry Capital soon will bloom with the color of another fruit.
Continued ... -
Vasa trail in good shape for weekend
Despite unseasonably warm temperatures and a lack of significant snowfall, the 36th annual North American Vasa cross country ski race is on for this weekend.
Continued ... -
Acme officials defer Meijer decision
Acme Township officials deferred a decision on a long-proposed Meijer store along M-72 until a special meeting in two weeks.
Continued ... -
Parks smoking ban on hold in TC
City Commissioner Jim Carruthers wants more time to work on smoking rules at city parks.
Continued ...
-
