Blimp Soldier has eye in the sky, mind in the rhyme

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

02.02.2009

Courtesy Story

16th Sustainment Brigade

By Spc. Sean Dillard
16th Sustainment Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE Q-WEST, Iraq - Spc. Byron Miller watches the area around Q-West through cameras mounted on an Aerostat blimp high above the base.

The 23-year-old from Washington, D.C., monitors security cameras and keeps schedules of blimp tasks to prepare updated information for the Aerostat commander. The Aerostat, a blimp that can see outside "the wire," gives the Base Defense Operations Center commander a real-time picture of what is happening outside the base.

Miller, signal support systems specialist, Bravo Co., 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, and Aerostat assistant flight director, said the job can be stressful, so he unwinds after work by studying different cultures and military history, and to writing poetry.

"The words I speak up here become my life / Full of struggle, pain, love, life, loses, joy and victories / At times I struggle to find the right words to say / Equivalent to the times I'm lost in the epic stage play of life," wrote Miller, in his poem Center Stage.

Miller asked to give a shout out to his wife, Donna, and one-year-old daughter, Gabrielle.

"I just want to say to my wife Donna and daughter Gabrielle, that I miss you both," Miller said. "I can't wait for us to all grow and mature as a family. I know Daddy is away from home a lot, but I just want to tell the two of you that everything I do, and what I'm capable of doing, is because of you. You two are my drive and determination in all facets of life."

The energetic and lyrical young Soldier had a message for his parents, as well.

"To my parents Wanda White and Hurley Miller, thanks for raising me to be the man that I am today," Miller said. "Parents don't hear this enough, but I'm proud of you both, and I'm proud to be your son."

• Date Taken: 02.02.2009
• Date Posted: 02.02.2009 07:37
• Story ID: 29536
• Location: QAYYARAH, IQ