The Register Mail -- GALESBURG - A 2001 ROWVA High School graduate was one of three U.S. Airmen killed Sunday in a roadside bomb explosion south of Baghdad, his family confirmed this morning.

Air Force Airman Daniel B. Miller Jr., 24, had been in Iraq for about six months, according to his father, Daniel Miller of Galesburg. His mother is Robin Mahnesmith of rural Wataga.

Miller said the family does not have all the details of the explosion, but he has been told three airmen were killed and one was injured in the explosion, which occurred in Al-Mahmudiyah, south of Baghdad.

The Associated Press reported three airmen assigned to the 447th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordnance division were killed and another was wounded Sunday, but the Department of Defense has not released names.

"Dan was the type that lived life to the fullest," Miller said about his son. "He enjoyed life very much. He was always there for his younger brothers and sisters."

The former high school football player was the oldest of five siblings - one of whom recently served in Iraq - and two stepsiblings. He loved canoeing and camping, his father said, and he completed basic training in 2004 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

"We had all been in touch with him recently," Miller said. "My son was the last one to talk to him, the day before yesterday."

The students, faculty and staff at ROWVA High School - where two of Miller's younger siblings are enrolled - had a moment of silence for Miller this morning.

"He's part of the ROWVA family. It hurts," said principal Andy Richmond.

Faculty and staff gathered before school this morning to share the news of Miller's death. Amid the tears and the shock, teachers discussed what they remembered about Miller and his character.

"What really stood out with Dan was his closeness with his family, his brothers and sisters and mom and dad," said Richmond, noting that Miller often visited the school after he graduated and always made a point to ask his former teachers how his siblings were doing.

Richmond said Miller had been active in his church's youth activities and the staff at ROWVA High School considered him a "silent leader."

"He wasn't one to brag. He led by example," Richmond said. "He did things without wanting to have people pat him on the back."

Richmond said he knew Dan was aware of the risks before he went to Iraq, but he accepted them.

"Those were his leadership qualities. He just did things," Richmond said. "He had a great sense of humor. He was always happy, always smiling. He fit in well here at school. It didn't matter who you were, Dan liked you. He was that kind of kid. He cared about everyone around him."