Reported by Kurt Ludlow

Family and friends here in Central Ohio are mourning the loss of a United States Marine.

Lance Corporal Ryan Miller of Gahanna died over the weekend in Iraq as the result of a roadside bomb attack.

Lance Corporal Miller was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.

Miller graduated from DeSales High School in 2003. A few months later, he and two buddies joined the United States Marine Corps. Eventually, Ryan went to Iraq. 

During his first deployment there, Ryan's Humvee drove over a land mine.  The truck was destroyed, but Ryan escaped uninjured. Following the attack, he returned home to Gahanna where he received a hand-made quilt from family and friends. The creation was filled with good wishes and praise for his service

Then it was back to Iraq for a second deployment. On Sunday (9/1), Ryan was at the wheel of a Humvee in the Anbar province of Iraq when the vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb. According to the Pentagon, Ryan died instantly.

The 21 year old is survived by his father and mother, Ed and Mary Miller, along with his sister, Tara.
 
His parents were understandably too overwhelmed to talk on camera Monday night.  But his dad told 10TV that Ryan loved his family, and he loved the Marine Corps. He had hoped to be a police officer some day.

Ryan's body is expected to be flown back to the United States within the next week.