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Photograph of eastern Kentucky Marine hits front pages (Marlboro Man!)
WKYT.com ^ | 11/13/04 | AP

Posted on 11/13/2004 1:22:27 PM PST by wagglebee

PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The mother of a Marine from eastern Kentucky now fighting in Iraq said she was thrilled to see her son's photograph on the front pages of newspapers this week.

Maxie Webber of Robinson Creek in Pike County said the close-up of Lance Cpl. Blake Miller, his face covered with dirt and a cigarette hanging from his lips, let her know that her son was OK.

Miller, 20, a graduate of Shelby Valley High School, is serving with Charlie Company of the U.S. Marines First Division in Fallujah, an insurgent stronghold.

Fallujah has been the site of some of the most severe battles with the Iraqi insurgency, and this week U.S. troops began a fierce battle for control of the city.

The photo, taken by Los Angeles Times photographer Luis Sinco, has appeared in newspapers across the nation. Webber said she first saw it when CBS News anchor Dan Rather showed it to viewers on Wednesday. Photo editor Alan Hagman confirmed Friday that the photo was of Miller.

"I just sat here and I thought, that's my son," Webber said. "I couldn't believe it. To me, it's just God's way because Blake is a Christian. It's just like God saying, 'I'm letting you know he's OK.'"

Webber said she stays home as much as possible in case her son calls.

"I don't want to miss his call because you never know if that call will be the last one," she said.

Webber said she also bought an answering machine for her phone just in case Miller, the oldest of her three sons, calls while she's out. She has one message on the answering machine from Aug. 1.

"And when I get lonely, and it's been a few days, I play that tape," Webber said.

Webber said her son's decision to join the Marines has changed the way she thinks about America.

"Until my son went into the Marines, I never really realized what that flag stood for - but now I do," she said.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Kentucky; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: blakemiller; falllujah; iraq; marines; marlboroman; semperfi
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To: stolat
What is a fag?? anyone?

..in Military/British parlance, an cigarette. ...in America; an Liberal. that for you guys @ D.U. :)

141 posted on 11/14/2004 2:07:23 AM PST by skinkinthegrass (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you :)
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To: skinkinthegrass

This guy went to my high school. My dad probably taught him.


142 posted on 11/14/2004 3:55:45 AM PST by LanPB01
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To: wagglebee

"Until my son went into the Marines, I never really realized what that flag stood for - but now I do," she said.

BUMP


143 posted on 11/14/2004 12:21:40 PM PST by sarah_f (Know Islam, Know Terror.)
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To: conservativebabe
Maybe he'll quit when he gets back.

"When I get out, I just want to chill out. Go back to my house, farm a bit, do some mechanical stuff and call it a day. I'll just sit on my roof and smoke a cigarette."

144 posted on 11/14/2004 12:24:19 PM PST by WildTurkey
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To: LanPB01
This guy went to my high school. My dad probably taught him.

Miller was adrift after high school, wondering what to do with himself. He father never wanted him to work in the mines. So Miller enlisted in the Marines in July 2003.

"What I really wanted to do was auto-body repair, but before I kenw it I was in boot camp."

145 posted on 11/14/2004 12:26:27 PM PST by WildTurkey
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To: ALASKA
Lighten up.............it was a joke.

Smoker's have no tolerance for jokes

146 posted on 11/14/2004 12:29:55 PM PST by WildTurkey
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To: Captain Peter Blood

Do the armed forces still provide cigarettes to the troops like in WWII? Does anyone know?


147 posted on 11/14/2004 12:32:07 PM PST by hergus
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To: GretchenM
I would not have guessed him to be 20. That face looks like he's acquired about 35 years of understanding.

"When I get out, I just want to chill out. Go back to my house, farm a bit, do some mechanical stuff and call it a day. I'll just sit on my roof and smoke a cigarette."


148 posted on 11/14/2004 12:34:22 PM PST by WildTurkey
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To: newzjunkey
#105...He looks exactly like the guy in the picture!

Same expression, everything, except the dirt and smudges!!!

149 posted on 11/14/2004 12:39:21 PM PST by Guenevere
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To: DocRock

Great video, guess that answers my question about the free Cigs.....I'm from NC from a tobacco growing family that is being wiped out along with most of my neighbors.

Don't believe what you hear about the buyout, after everything is done most of the multi-generational family owned small tobacco farms are being sold out for a few thousand dollars. Only the large company owned planters will see big money. Sorry offtopic..


150 posted on 11/14/2004 12:43:29 PM PST by hergus
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To: hergus

Like all good Kentuckians he knows that those terrorist are enemy number 1. Louisville fans run a close second!

Go Big Blue!


151 posted on 11/14/2004 12:55:51 PM PST by mirkinmuffley (Gentlemen, you can't fight in here this is the war room!)
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To: chalkfarmer

Last fall, I volunteered to work in what was supposed to
be an independent day care "program" in Kentucky for
underprivileged children, supposed to be a Christian
endeavor. Turns out, they were evidently taking government
funds, because there were no prayers, no Bible verses, just
a lot of p.c. "activities". They had dress up time, and
one little boy donned a long pink dress, heels and opera
length beads. The director of the day care (a man) came
through and said, "Looking good, there, Eddie!" I left
the next morning. They were having a hard time keeping kids
enrolled in that day care school, and I can imagine if one
of those Daddys from the backwoods happened to drop by for
a visit during dress up time. (It also didn't help that
the regular help at the day care didn't trust volunteers
because they thought they were out to take their job
security. I asked the ladies after I was there about two
hours just how big the office pool was in the bet on how
long it would take them to run me off. They were quite
rude to me. She was astounded I had their number so quick.)


152 posted on 11/14/2004 1:44:43 PM PST by Twinkie
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To: WildTurkey
Lighten up.............it was a joke.

Smoker's have no tolerance for jokes

My condolences..................

153 posted on 11/14/2004 2:16:34 PM PST by ALASKA (I might have been born last yesterday, but I stayed up all night.....)
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To: wagglebee
Smoking is the least of his concerns. He is a marine. He protects and serves. I saw the picture when Dan Rather spoke about him and it brought tears. I am so proud of our U.S. Marines! There are some of us out there who would be more than willing to put a care package together for him or others. Just email the address.
154 posted on 11/15/2004 12:33:17 PM PST by ncicegal33
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To: wagglebee

>> For any anti-smoking fanatics out there, notice that she doesn't give a damn about your agenda!

Nearly all of the "Greatest Generation" -- the World War II vets -- smoked.


155 posted on 11/15/2004 12:37:54 PM PST by PhilipFreneau ("Our real disease is ... democracy" - Alexander Hamilton)
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To: A.A. Cunningham

He's a sweetheart-- dirty and clean. Whoever lands him better be good to him-- he's done a lot for us. If mom read this--- you've got one hell of a son. Hope he comes home safe and soon.


156 posted on 11/18/2004 2:29:40 PM PST by ncicegal33
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To: wagglebee

Do we know how this marine is doing? Any chance of him getting back to his mom for Christmas?


157 posted on 12/20/2004 10:11:10 AM PST by ncicegal33
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