Anthony Miller

West Point, 2004

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Dan Areshenko on February 3, 2002:

Anthony was about the nicest tough guy I ever knew. We've all had rough times here, but I'm really digging to think of a time he got mad. When everyone else, myself included, was complaining, Anthony was just like, hey, relax, what's done is done...no big deal. I went to the Army Sports website and read that grim article, and then followed the link to his Army Football bio. Most of it I knew...I just wanted to see his face, but at the bottom it said how he enjoyed poetry and meditation. Although I never really knew that about him before, it made perfect sense. He was always at peace with himself like nobody else. I first met Anthony as we prepared for Camp Buckner...he was in my squad and his bunk was right across from mine. As Buckner went on I got to know him better and realized what a great person he was. He got along with everyone. He was always telling jokes...kept everyone laughing. He was friends with EVERYONE. There wasn't anyone that didn't like him. There's no one that could possibly have a reason to dislike him. We both scrambled into the same academic year company this last semester and had a few classes together. Some of my fondest memories with Anthony were during our physics labs in that building of brimstone we call Bartlett. Anthony, Natasha, Joe, and I would crack jokes all period in that back corner of the lab, simultaneously struggling to prepare something that resembled a lab report. Every time Major Jakes came back to give us some guidance he always walked away laughing...Anthony always made him laugh. We moved onto the same floor this semester...across the hallway. It's unreal to think that he's not going to be around anymore...that I'm not going to run into him on the way down to formation. Every time I step out of my room I see his shrine and still can't believe it. I'm just waiting for him to roll into our room and say something crazy. Every time he stopped by he got Tim and I going...I could never help but laugh. How else can I say it...he was a great guy...a great guy to everyone...an awesome friend to everyone. I've been fortunate to live for 20 years without someone significant in my life dying. I met my grandfather maybe twice when I was younger and I could never really talk to my great grandfather. Of the people I've known that moved on, I knew Anthony the best. I don't think it's quite sunk in yet...I see and hear but I can't believe. My deepest condolences to his family...I can't even imagine the pain you're feeling right now. But take solace in knowing he's in a better place right now. much love, Dan

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