SPOKANE, WA, US
U.S. Army
SPC, B TROOP, 3D SQD, 4TH CAV RGT, 25TH ID, SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI 96857
11/27/2004, BAMIAN, AFGHANISTAN
Army Specialist Harley D.R. Miller died November 27, 2004 when the contract aircraft in which he was riding crashed in Bamian, Afghanistan. He and his unit were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The 21 year-old was a member of 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division (Light), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Born in Sandpoint, Idaho, Harley was a happy and mischievous young man who loved cars, computers, the men with whom he served and his family. His roots and ties were really in the Spokane and Everett areas of Washington State. He was the youngest of four, the only boy, and quickly took to being “the protector” of his sisters. At 10 years old, with his neighbor Norm, Harley went from working in yards to working on cars, which he loved. In grade school and junior high Harley was on the wrestling team. During these years, he and his wrestling buddies once took care of a bully. This good deed caused a brief report from his school officials, but also showed that even at this early age, Harley did not like bullies.
Towards the end of high school Harley met Sarah. After dating for some time he enlisted the help of his mother to convince Sarah she should become his wife. It must have worked because they were married the very next day before he left for Hawaii where he was stationed. Sarah was a grade behind Harley and after Harley graduated he used to bring her flowers at the school. He loved to surprise her. Even from Afghanistan Harley found a way to send Sarah flowers while she was attending dental school. The couple soon had a son, Korey who was the center of Harley’s world. Korey’s first birthday was marked by two weeks with Harley there to celebrate.
Harley is survived by his wife, Sarah; son, Korey; mother, Christine; father, Damon; sisters, Autumn, Lynnea and Amber; numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is also survived by many of “his guys.” Harley wanted so much for his soldier-buddies to have a Christmas dinner somewhat like home that he enlisted his mother and friends to send Christmas dinner items. These items, enough to feed his unit, arrived during the week that he died. Harley liked computers and always closed his emails with: “love you bunches” which will be what his unit members will also remember…his bunches of love for them as well.
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