Veterans – D. Brent Miller

June 7, 2026

Sunday afternoon motorcycle ride

Hot and humid. Of course, it’s time for a motorcycle ride.

The area around where I live is wonderful for riding. The Ohio River Valley has created these hills with curvy roads. There are plenty of backroads with no lines–no center lines, no edge lines. And they often cross these small streams that inspire one to stop and take a look.

Continuing on along the Little Miami River, I turned east at Corwin and passed the Miami Cemetery. Very park-like, the cemetery association was organized in 1867. I turned in to find a very large WWII Tank and a grave section devoted to the area’s soldiers.

I took a moment to peruse the graves from WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. It was very nicely done. I took one last moment to stand at attention and salute my brothers and sisters in arms. As an Army Vietnam Veteran myself, it seemed like the right thing to do.

The rest of the ride was towards home, just cruising along on my Moto Guzzi V7 Sport.

See you on the highway.

Brent

April 30, 2025

Remembering my Pilgrimage to The Wall

It is the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. I’ve visited The Wall many times, and the last time I was there was July 4, 2012. It was a special visit, a pilgrimage. Here is the post from that visit, republished for the 50th Anniversary.

https://dbrentmiller.com/2012/07/pilgrimage-to-the-wall/

The_Wall-4-cropped

See you on the highway.

Brent

January 28, 2021

I was honored to participate

I have seen images, and even news stories, but I never imagined that I would participate in such an event. It was an honor I will not soon forget.

I was at the VA, moving from one appointment to another when a voice came over the loud speaker. “There will be a Walk of Honor on the second floor.” It was to begin in just a few seconds. In fact, I was on the second floor and rounding the corner of the hallway when I see nurses and doctors emerging to the hallway from behind closed doors. They lined the hall. I asked if I could participate, and they said, “Yes.”

I decided to grab a quick photo. More nurses and doctors emerged, and the hall seemed full of healthcare workers. Then from around the corner came a gurney, covered in white with a folded American flag on top. The hallway was completely silent.

The gurney was pushed by an attendant, and four VA police officers escorted the honored Veteran, two in front, two in back. They silently proceeded down the hallway and disappeared. The hallway cleared almost as quickly as it formed.

I chose not to take a second photo, one of the gurney and the escorts. It did not seem right.

It was an honor to participate in this seemly simple event, but was so profound. These healthcare workers of our VA Medical Center taking the time to honor a Veteran who has passed was a very moving experience. And, these dedicated healthcare workers of our VA system do this not out of duty, but out of compassion for the Veterans in their care. Even for one last time in a hallway with strangers in their midst.

See you on the highway.

Brent