Wheaton ceremony to remember Medal of Honor recipient

On the same day Army Staff Sgt. Robert Miller is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, friends and well-wishers will gather to remember the Wheaton native's courage and sacrifice.

A Mass honoring Miller is planned for 8 a.m. Wednesday at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton. That immediately will be followed by a ceremony in a plaza bearing Miller's name outside the church's school.

"I think it will be a very solemn day and also one of pride," said Marcia Opal, principal of St. Michael Parish School. "We are very proud of Robbie. Hopefully, our students will realize how important it is to serve their country."

Miller, who graduated from St. Michael Parish School in 1998, was killed Jan. 25, 2008, during a firefight with Taliban forces near a border town in northeast Afghanistan. The 24-year-old gave his life to save his team of seven soldiers and 15 Afghan troops.

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama will present the Medal of Honor the nation's highest military honor to Miller's parents, Phil and Maureen Miller, during a ceremony at the White House.

"We join his family in the proud reception of that award," said the Rev. Don McLaughlin, St. Michael's pastor. "But it is unfortunate that he had to die to receive it."

McLaughlin said Wednesday's remembrance in Wheaton is open to the public.

"While he was a graduate of St. Michael School and a member of St. Michael Church," McLaughlin said, "we want to give the entire Wheaton community the opportunity to honor his sacrifice."

In 2008, the church dedicated the Robert J. Miller Memorial Plaza, which is at the corner of Willow and Wheaton avenues. While named for Miller, the plaza honors all past, present and future St. Michael parish and school members in the military.

As part of Wednesday's ceremony, a new flagpole at the plaza will be used for the first time.

Starting about 9:15 a.m., there will be keynote speeches from Mayor Michael Gresk and political commentator Dan Proft, who graduated from St. Michael Parish School. Then there will be a prayer service led by McLaughlin and remarks from U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam.

Organizers said they wanted to do the event because Miller always will be remembered as St. Michael's "homegrown hero."

"By being awarded the Medal of Honor, Robbie stands out as a role model for our entire parish and school," McLaughlin said, "and the community of Wheaton."