Each time Maj. Nathan Miller’s F/A-18 Hornet climbs the skies, his mom, Cathy, grips her pair of gold wings a little tighter.

“I just hold onto them and hope God brings him down safely,” she said of the wings that Nathan gave her shortly after he joined the Blue Angels in 2006.

Cathy held them once more during the Blue Angels’ performances at the 2008 Chicago Air and Water Show  Saturday and Sunday. The Blue Angels are a flight demonstration squadron that augments the recruiting efforts of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Many have showered praise on Miller for his induction into the Blue Angels and his flying hours as a Marine Corps pilot in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Southern Watch. He has been called a hero by friends and family, and many from the audience Friday at St. Charles’ Norris Cultural Arts Center repeated that sentiment. But to his family, Miller is a different type of hero.

“I’m proud of him in the sense that he still cares more about family and friends and the people he serves,” said Miller’s aunt, Cheryl LaFave, St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.

Despite a busy travel schedule, Miller still makes time for family members, who often make the trip to cities on the Blue Angels’ tour.

“You travel a lot in the Blue Angels,” Miller said. “But it’s pretty cool because your family can visit you.”

Family members on Friday Aug. 15 proudly wore badges designating their relationship to Miller, as they do at many of his speaking engagements.

Miller visited St. Charles East High School Friday, Aug. 15  and talked about a career that began when he watched “Top Gun” as a teen growing up in Lapeer, Mich. He also spent time Friday answering audience questions, which, his mom said, he enjoys.

She also said her son has remained humble.

“I am not the smartest person in the world,” said Nathan, 34. “I think hard work goes a long way.
“Without a little personality, persistence and hard work, you might be a little limited.”

A 1995 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Miller also was the salutatorian of his 1991 Lapeer West High School graduating class.

His grandmother Jeanette Costello, who also attended Miller’s speech Friday, prefers watching him perform with the Blue Angels over hearing about his combat missions.
 
“It was really scary when he was in Iraq,” Costello said. “(His being with the Blue Angels) is very exciting.”

 Miller’s speech also impacted local residents. Sara Williams attended Friday’s speech with her children, Zach 10, and Max, 7, who are die-hard Blue Angels fans.

“I’m excited because I get to meet a Blue Angel and learn what they do and how they do it,” Zach said.