thedrifter
02-05-06, 07:02 AM
Obituary: Miles, 28, wanted to call San Antonio home someday
Web Posted: 02/05/2006 12:00 AM CST
Carmina Danini
Express-News Staff Writer
Before he left for Iraq in July, Marine Sgt. Sean H. Miles made arrangements that if anything were to happen to him, his parents were to visit San Antonio and stay in a hotel overlooking the River Walk.
Miles, 28, of Midlothian, Va., was killed in action Jan. 24 in Al Karmah, Iraq.
The young couple lived in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and were planning on making their home in San Antonio when he retired from the Marines.
"He loved the people, the culture, the history, the enchiladas from Don Pedro's with lots and lots of cheese," Genevieve Miles said. "I'm from San Antonio, but the first time I went to the Alamo was because he wanted to go."
Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, Miles was to have completed his first tour of Iraq and return home next Saturday.
Michael Miles said his son died from wounds he suffered from small-arms fire.
"Sean was calling in an airstrike when he happened to see another Marine exposed; he ran to him, and that's when he was hit," he said.
"He knew the price, but when he left for Iraq he made a promise to those wives and parents that he would bring all the kids home, and he did. He was the only fatal casualty from his platoon, and it was saving one of the boys."
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., the Miles family moved to Virginia 16 years ago.
Sean Miles enlisted in the Marines after high school.
"He chose the Marines because he wanted to be the best and because he wanted to follow in his uncle's footsteps," Genevieve Miles said.
The uncle, Reginald A. Miles, was a Marine gunnery sergeant when he died in Okinawa at 34.
Sean Miles also is survived by his son Tyler Regi; his mother, Deborah Miles, and a brother, Christopher M. Miles, both of Midlothian, Va.; his sister Erin M. Wennberg of Camp Lejeune; his paternal grandparents, Sonny and Lois Miles of Midlothian, Va.; and his maternal grandmother, Marie Bulovas of Long Island.
Visitation is scheduled today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South at 1700 S.E. Military Dr.
On Monday, visitation continues from 2 until 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. at San Jose Catholic Mission at 701 E. Pyron Ave., with interment in Mission Burial Park South.
cdanini@expres-news.net
"Sean was always breaking our chops about moving to San Antonio," said his father, Michael Miles, who is staying with his family at the Marriott Riverwalk hotel.
"We told him we'd come to this beautiful city," said Miles, also of Virginia. "We just didn't think it would be under these circumstances."
Miles' wife, Genevieve, who was in the Marines when they met, is from San Antonio.
Ellie
Rest In Peace
Web Posted: 02/05/2006 12:00 AM CST
Carmina Danini
Express-News Staff Writer
Before he left for Iraq in July, Marine Sgt. Sean H. Miles made arrangements that if anything were to happen to him, his parents were to visit San Antonio and stay in a hotel overlooking the River Walk.
Miles, 28, of Midlothian, Va., was killed in action Jan. 24 in Al Karmah, Iraq.
The young couple lived in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and were planning on making their home in San Antonio when he retired from the Marines.
"He loved the people, the culture, the history, the enchiladas from Don Pedro's with lots and lots of cheese," Genevieve Miles said. "I'm from San Antonio, but the first time I went to the Alamo was because he wanted to go."
Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, Miles was to have completed his first tour of Iraq and return home next Saturday.
Michael Miles said his son died from wounds he suffered from small-arms fire.
"Sean was calling in an airstrike when he happened to see another Marine exposed; he ran to him, and that's when he was hit," he said.
"He knew the price, but when he left for Iraq he made a promise to those wives and parents that he would bring all the kids home, and he did. He was the only fatal casualty from his platoon, and it was saving one of the boys."
Originally from Long Island, N.Y., the Miles family moved to Virginia 16 years ago.
Sean Miles enlisted in the Marines after high school.
"He chose the Marines because he wanted to be the best and because he wanted to follow in his uncle's footsteps," Genevieve Miles said.
The uncle, Reginald A. Miles, was a Marine gunnery sergeant when he died in Okinawa at 34.
Sean Miles also is survived by his son Tyler Regi; his mother, Deborah Miles, and a brother, Christopher M. Miles, both of Midlothian, Va.; his sister Erin M. Wennberg of Camp Lejeune; his paternal grandparents, Sonny and Lois Miles of Midlothian, Va.; and his maternal grandmother, Marie Bulovas of Long Island.
Visitation is scheduled today from 5 to 9 p.m. at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South at 1700 S.E. Military Dr.
On Monday, visitation continues from 2 until 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m.
Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 a.m. at San Jose Catholic Mission at 701 E. Pyron Ave., with interment in Mission Burial Park South.
cdanini@expres-news.net
"Sean was always breaking our chops about moving to San Antonio," said his father, Michael Miles, who is staying with his family at the Marriott Riverwalk hotel.
"We told him we'd come to this beautiful city," said Miles, also of Virginia. "We just didn't think it would be under these circumstances."
Miles' wife, Genevieve, who was in the Marines when they met, is from San Antonio.
Ellie
Rest In Peace