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July 22, 2010

Benzie Central graduate dies in Afghanistan

Roadside bomb kills marine on foot patrol

BY ALEX PIAZZA apiazza@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Randy Agruda could've heard a pin drop at work, a rarity inside a Traverse City body shop where employees often chat and tinker with vehicles.

Silence filled the shop when authorities escorted a group of U.S. Marines into Hansen Collision to inform an employee that his son died during military combat. Marine Cpl. Paul James Miller, 22, of Lake Ann, died Monday after a roadside bomb exploded nearby while he was on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

"It's surreal because I've seen it on TV and read about it in the paper, but you never would've dreamed somebody would walk in to tell us someone we know died," said Agruda, who's worked with Miller's father, Jim, for several years. "It was almost like someone walked around and punched us in the stomach, and we all needed some time to catch our breath."

He was a 2006 graduate of Benzie Central High School and enlisted in the Marines shortly after graduation.

Miller's father accompanied the Marines to his wife Teresa's employer to break the news. The parents then headed to Delaware to pick up Miller's remains. He died during his third tour of duty, Agruda said.

The U.S. Department of Defense has yet to release specifics of Miller's death. More than 1,100 members of the U.S. military have died in and around Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Department of Defense records show.

Rosa Norconk lives across the street from the Miller family, and watched Paul Miller grow up.

"The neighbors just loved him," said Norconk, who often saw Miller ride a skateboard down the street before he joined the military. "He was always laughing and always jumping. A kid at heart, that's what he was. He was just a really nice kid all throughout his life."

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Cherryland Post in Traverse City this week mourned Miller's death.

"It's another comrade who died and it's too bad," said Doug Jordan, post quarter master and a retired Marine. "We're a small branch of the services and when you lose one, it affects all Marines."

Miller was an avid fisherman, and often tested his luck in Benzie County waters during his military leave.

"Jim (Miller) loved to fish with his son," Agruda said. "It was great therapy for him."

Miller is survived by his wife, sister and parents, who could not be reached for comment. Funeral arrangements have yet to be arranged.

Staff Writer Sheri McWhirter contributed to this story.

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