Spa City’s Fourth of July celebration starts on solemn note honoring Pfc. David Taylor Miller

Jul 04, 2010

By: Mareesa Nicosia

This year's Fourth of July parade in Saratoga Springs was dedicated to the memory of fallen soldier Pfc. David Taylor Miller, who died in Afghanistan two weeks ago. (ED BURKE/The Saratogian)

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spa City turned out in red, white and blue Saturday for a parade kicking off the city’s weekend-long Fourth of July celebration.

As usual, there were colorful floats, marching musicians, cheering children and even a harness horse pulling a driver in a sulky.

But this year was different in one major way.

Two soldiers led the procession from the corner of Van Dam Street down Broadway, carrying a banner bearing the name and photo of Pfc. David Taylor Miller — a solemn reminder, in the midst of a celebration, that one of the city’s own gave the ultimate sacrifice to his country just two weeks ago.

Miller, a 19-year-old Saratoga Springs High School graduate with the Class of 2009, was killed June 21 while serving with the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division in northern Afghanistan.

He and another soldier in his unit died from wounds suffered in a suicide bomb attack while they were manning a checkpoint.

He had volunteered to help organize the All-American Celebration in years past with his mother, Leslie Forbert Miller, who was on the steering committee for the event this year.

“This is the least I could do for Taylor Miller and his family,” said Private Eric Vanwagenen, 19, who carried one end of the banner honoring his friend and classmate from Saratoga Springs High School. “He was one of the most motivated people I knew. He’ll never be forgotten.”

Pfc. David Taylor's mother, Leslie, right, shares an embrace with a friend after Saturday's Fourth of July Parade in Saratoga Springs. The parade was dedicated to Taylor Miller, who was killed in Afghanistan on June 21. (ED BURKE/The Saratogian)

The two enlisted in the Army together last year at the recruiting station in Wilton, where Sgt. First Class Paul Drew, who carried the other end of the banner, first met Miller.

“He was not only a recruit, but a good friend,” said Drew, 33. “He was a great kid. To have someone like him as a recruit was a breath of fresh air.”

Jack O’Brien, 80, of Wilton, marched with the Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 60 in the parade.

“Anytime we lose a veteran, it’s moving,” he said, with tears in his eyes. “As a combat veteran of Korea, it’s understandable how the family feels and we wish them the very best and our prayers are with them.”

Other local groups and officials were represented, including Fife and Drum of Olde Saratoga; the Saratoga Springs High School cross country, track and field teams; Saratoga County Board of Supervisors and the City Council.

Following the parade, Miller’s friends and family formed a small crowd in front of city and county officials in Congress Park as Mayor Scott Johnson read a proclamation in honor of the fallen soldier and dedicated the 2010 celebration to his memory.

Several people wore T-shirts bearing an image of Miller’s face or the words “Local Hero.”

“He was a brave individual. He was the most special child, and not just because he’s my nephew,” said Jim D’Iorio, who came to the park with his son, Jimmy, and his wife, Suzanne, all wearing matching T-shirts in Miller’s honor.

“Taylor gave the ultimate sacrifice while on duty at traffic point in Afghanistan,” Johnson said. “Taylor will be remembered as a true hero, who fought for our liberties, including the freedom to hold a festival such as the All-American Celebration.”

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