"'Time is too slow for those who wait,' said Gov. Theodore Kulongoski, quoting author Henry Van Dyke during the funeral service for an Albany soldier. 'Too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity,'" he said.

Army Sgt. Mikeal Wayne Miller, 22, was laid to rest Saturday with full military honors at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, following a service at Mt. Scott Funeral Home.

Friends, family and U.S. Army General Charles Jacoby remembered Miller with stories and photos.

"Mike was the best part of me and the best part of Rene mixed together," his father Steve said. "Megan, he loved you to death. I feel glad, and I am happy that he was mine."

Miller's wife Megan, as well as his mother Rene and his father, each received a folded flag at the service, which was officiated by chaplain and Major Scott Delbridge.

The young soldier was struck in the head by shrapnel from an improvised explosive device July 9, 2007, while he was driving on the streets of Baghdad. He never regained consciousness, and he died Sunday Jan. 27 at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

Miller grew up in Lakeview and Albany, and he played football for the South Albany High School.

A slide show of photos of Miller's short life included celebrations and time with family, especially his three brothers.

A second slide show portrayed images of Miller and his wife. The final photo was of Megan's hand, holding Mike's on his hospital bed.

Miller joined the Army in 2003, the summer after he graduated high school. He was deployed to Iraq twice, the first time in 2004 and the second and final in October 2006.

He earned multiple honors while serving the Army, including the Purple Heart.

Other awards included the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terror Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

Army Sgt. Mikeal Wayne Miller was assigned to 3rd Squadron, 61st Calvary Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.