TEXARKANA, Ark. - Texarkana, Texas resident Ralph Miller has lived a life that has touched 11 decades and 18 presidential administrations - yet to many, his wit, humor and good nature will always be ageless.
Dozens of friend and family members, some from as far away as Indiana and Arizona, gathered Saturday at the Texarkana Country Club to pay tribute to a man who has given and continues to give them inspiration and encouragement - just by living his life so positively. "Ralph, we are all here to welcome you to another century of living," Dr. C. Jack Smith, Miller's son-in-law said.
"You have given us all a gift we can never repay" - referring to Miller's service as an Army pilot who flew for the 9th Tactical Air Force in Europe during World War II. "You would always send some of your military pay back home. If we can remember back to the movie 'It's A Wonderful Life' you would be my George Bailey."
Kelly Corsette, one of Miller's nephews, told his uncle thanks for his continuous positive influence in life. "Ralph has always been my favorite uncle." Corsette said. "Ralph is always quick with a smile, quick with a laugh and quick with a kind word."
Margaret Reynolds, a niece, praised Miller for his wisdom.
"There would be times I would get into horrible fights with my brother and you told me that one day I will love him and you were right," she said tearfully.
Kate Hurst, along time family friend who grew up with Miller's three daughters, said she was regular visitor to the Miller household.
"When we and others would come driving up to the Millers' house, we were always told not to back up over the septic system,"Hurst said. "I can still remember the time that I and Linda (Miller - his middle daughter) broke into the liquor stash. I also remember that Ralph had a truck that he called 'Mud'. You could literally look down and see the roadway through the truck's floorboard."
Born Nov. 26, 1919, in Kokomo, Ind., Miller grew up on a farm in Fulton County, not far from Rochester, Ind. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1937.
After working in a flour mill for a couple of years, Miller enlisted in what was then known as the Army Air Corps (Later to become the Air Force in 1947). He accompanied his older brother, who registered for the draft, Oct. 30, 1940, at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis.
Following basic training at Maxwell Air Field in Montgomery, Ala., Miller spent the next six months in aviation mechanics school at Chanute Air Field in Rantou, Ill.
With basic training completed, Miller was then sent to the Panama Canal Zone with the 16 Air Pursuit Group's Headquarters Squadron in 1941. Miller was in the country for nine months, and during that time, he applied to flight training school, Officers Candidate School and even the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.
It wasn't long after Miller submitted these school applications that his base learned about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Shortly after receiving notice that he was accepted to flight school, Miller received orders to return to the States.
Miller's transport made a brief stop to deliver mail in Costa Rica and another stop to refuel in Guatemala, before landing in Brownsville, Texas. From there, Miller proceeded to Kelly Air Field in San Antonio for six weeks of preflight training.
Miller next stop was Cuero, Texas for six weeks of basic primary flight training, followed by six weeks of basic flight training in Brady, Texas, followed again by a final six weeks of advance flight training in Waco, Texas. Miller graduated Feb. 16, 1943 as a flight officer.
For training, the Army sent Miller to Avon Park Bombing Range Florida, - a base for B-26 Marauder medium bombers.
Not long after learning how to fly the B-26, Miller was assigned to Lake Charles, La. as an instructor pilot until August of 1944, after which he received promotion from flight instructor to second lieutenant. He then received deployment to Europe.
Miller made a brief stop at Fort Kilmer, N.J. before boarding the El De France, and ocean liner that was converted into a troop transport carrier. The vessel left from New York and took five days to get to Glasgow Scotland, arriving in September, 1944.
Once in France, Miller received initial assignment to the 387th Bomber Group of the 9th Tactical Air Force, and eventually flew 55 bombing missions. He came back home and eventually worked for Wadly Regional Medical Center for 25 years.
Following the presentations by family and friends, Miller, who will turn 100 on Tuesday, summed up his century of living by saying "The first 100 years are always the hardest."