Legislation introduced by Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) to rename the U.S. Post Office on East Main Street in Galesburg, Illinois, as the “Senior Airman Daniel Miller Post Office Building” passed the House of Representatives and will now head to the Senate.
In 2004, Daniel Miller of Galesburg, Illinois, joined the United States Airforce after graduating from ROWVA High School in Oneida, Illinois, where he played varsity football and his principal described him as “always smiling” and “caring about everyone.” Miller went on to earn the rank of Senior Airman and became an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airman. He was deployed from the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight in Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which is responsible for defusing military and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and working with chemical and biological weapons.
On January 7, 2007, at the age of 24, Senior Airman Miller was killed in action attempting to defuse a car bomb while protecting our nation in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq. Also killed were members of Team Lima—Senior Airman Elizabeth A. Loncki and Technical Sergeant Timothy R. Weiner.
To commemorate the service and sacrifice of Senior Airman Miller, Congresswoman Bustos introduced legislation to rename the U.S. Post Office on East Main Street in Galesburg as the “Senior Airman Daniel Miller Post Office Building.”
“I am proud to see this legislation pass the House to honor the life of Senior Airman Miller who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending our nation,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “It is my hope that this commemoration will serve as a place for the Galesburg community to remember this hero and allow the legacy of Senior Airman Miller to live on for time to come.”
“My brother Dan never hesitated to put the concerns of others before his own and it gives our family great pride to see this legislation pass the House,” said Tim Miller, brother of Senior Airman Daniel Miller. “This is an excellent way to honor his commitment and remember those who have served our nation. I thank Congresswoman Bustos for being such a relentless advocate for military families and appreciate all of the work she has done on their behalf.”
You can watch Congresswoman Bustos honor Senior Airman Miller on the House Floor here.
BACKGROUND
Prior to joining the Air Force, Senior Airman Miller lived in Galesburg, Illinois and attended the Rio, Oneida, Wataga, Victoria and Altona (ROWVA) High School in Oneida, Illinois, where he played football and graduated in 2001. Senior Airman Miller was the eldest of six children, including a younger brother who served a yearlong tour in Iraq with the National Guard. ROWVA High School’s Principal described him as, “always happy, always smiling… it didn’t matter who you were, Dan liked you. He was that kind of kid. He cared about everyone around him.” Senior Airman Miller joined the United States Air Force in 2004 and went on to become an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Airman. He was deployed from the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Flight in Hill Air Force Base, Utah, which is responsible for defusing military and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and working with chemical and biological weapons. At the age of 24, Senior Airman Miller was killed in Al-Mahmudiyah, Iraq on January 7, 2007 while attempting to defuse a car bomb.
***Report Courtesy of Congresswoman Bustos***
