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New Canaan Mom Worries for Her Marine Son

Karen Miller has yet to figure out just how to feel about the death of Osama bin Laden. That's because her son is a Marine on tour in Afghanistan.

While the New Canaan resident feels proud for the military and relieved for those who lost loived ones on 9/11, she’s not at ease knowing that her 23-year old son, Marine Sgt. Tom Miller, is still in harm’s way – and that the danger might rise from people out to avenge bin Laden’s death.

“It’s kind of a range of emotions,” said Miller, director of New Canaan’s Parking Department. “Obviously, as military parents, your thoughts go to the troops and their well-being. There’s a sense of pride that we are safe because of them.”

She has not heard from her son in about three weeks, but that’s likely because time is hard to come by when you’re working. “They’re busy trying to get the job done and rebuild areas,” Miller said. “From what he’s described in his calls, they’re too busy. They have very full days.”

Miller says she thinks of her son, on tour in Afghanistan since last December, daily. She’s eagerly awaiting his return home in mid-July. “You don’t know how many baby wipes we’ve sent them,” she said. “There’s no washing machines out there. Many of the bases don’t have running water or electricity.”

Miller loves the relationships she’s built with other military families, people she considers some of the greatest people she’s ever met. “They can teach people about what’s really important and the value of bonds and relationships,” Miller said. “It’s really a unique family of people who really sacrifice a lot.”

Miller hopes bin Laden’s death and the recent citizen uprisings the Middle East will inspire people there to do things more peacefully. “It could be an opportunity to seek out new solutions to some problems,” she said.

Do you have a relative serving in Afghanistan or Iraq? How are you feeling for their safety now that Osama bin Laden is dead? Let us know by leaving a comment below. You can also visit our Facebook page.

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