BLOOMINGTON - Like all good soldiers, U.S. Army Capt. Mark Miller keeps his eyes and ears open. Unlike most, he carries a camera and note pad in addition to his standard-issue 9mm Beretta. | Video | Illinois veterans can now personalize plates | Veterans Day events in Central Illinois

The public affairs officer, a Twin City native stationed in Iraq, is likely to spend Veterans Day working on stories about the U.S. war effort or assisting embedded journalists.

That's fine with Miller, who has been in Iraq for about a year and whose tour could end next month.

"I enjoy my work, although being in the military can be difficult at times," said Miller, who plans to make the military a career. Benefits include pension and travel.

"He's patriotic and has a personality (the ability to take responsibility when required) that fits into the military structure well," said his grandfather, Ken Leitch of Normal, who described Miller as a serious young man who's also fun loving.

Miller, he said, was in theater and jazz band at Central Catholic High School before entering the ROTC program at Illinois State University.

"Naturally, we worry about him," said Leitch. He and his wife, Alice, communicate with Miller by e-mail and telephone.

Miller, 28, visited friends and relatives when he was home on leave in May. His mother, Carol Miller, works and lives in the Chicago area. His father, Brian Miller, is a fifth-grade social studies teacher in Michigan.

Miller, who took yearbook pictures at CCHS, choose many of his own story topics in the military. "But, sometimes my chain of command asks that I highlight a specific issue or event," Miller said in an e-mail interview with The Pantagraph.

Among his stories was the opening of a playground in Saydiyah, a community in the southern part of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. While there, he happened upon a high-ranking Iraqi official breaking in the merry-go-round.

Miller described the very distinctive photo he took: "The word 'luck' describes it perfectly … I look over at the merry-go-round, and there is the neighborhood council chairman spinning around with the kids."

Though in a war zone, Miller hasn't had to fire his weapon and has not personally witnessed the death of any soldiers or civilians. But "we occasionally receive indirect fire (mortars or rockets)," he said.

Miller believes progress has been made in Iraq, but also believes the United States has more to do.

"I believe mission accomplishment will be the day when the Iraqis have learned to support themselves independently through their newly formed government," he said.

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Veterans Day events

9 a.m.: Ceremony, Veterans Memorial Central Park, Fairbury

10:49 a.m.: Ceremony, east side of McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington. Balloon release follows; honors victims of Agent Orange.

Noon: Ceremony, Bowling and Billiards Center Activity Room, Illinois State University.

1 p.m.: Ceremony, Veterans Point, Weldon Springs State Recreation Area, rural Clinton.

4:30-7 p.m.: Dinner, LeRoy American Legion. Cost: $7, adults; $3, children.

7-10 p.m.: ISU Jazz Band Veterans Day dance, New Lafayette Club, Bloomington. Call (309) 438-2541