That's because her son Army Spc. Alexander J. Miller, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan last July, was honored.
"I was so happy and grateful that they are keeping Alex's memory alive," Miller said. "It's really good for his friends, so that they can be even more proud of him."
Hundreds gathered at Waterfront Park for a ceremony in honor of Miller and other slain soldiers.
Minneola Lake provided a peaceful backdrop for the ceremony hosted by the South Lake Marine Detachment, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5277 and the Tomoka Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
This year's ceremony marks the first at this new location.
Barbara Tanney, commander of Clermont's VFW post #5277, welcomed Miller and her family .
"It's an honor to die for what we believe in," Tanney said.
The South Lake High School Junior Naval ROTC drill team and East Ridge Middle School band performed.
"When it's comes time to celebrate Memorial Day, we should always put a special 'umph' in it, because the all the young people who were lost after having asked to be part of this volunteer army who serves our country, is doing it for us," Mayor Hal Turville said. "And it's that "for us" that is so important."
Miller, 21, of Clermont died in Afghanistan on July 31.
Miller was born in Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 30, 1987, and attended South Lake High School in Groveland and East Ridge High School in Clermont before enlisting in the United States Army when he was 19.
Miller joined the U.S. Army in January 2007. After completing training at Fort Benning, Ga., Miller was stationed in Fort Drum, N.Y.
Miller was an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team 10th Mountain Division, which deployed to Afghanistan in January 2009.
Miller was killed on July 31 when his patrol was attacked by insurgents with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire.
Miller's ashes are buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.
Staff Sgt. Kevin Bartlett, Miller's first leader after he arrived in New York, flew in from New York for Monday's ceremony and Kandace Freeland, one of Miller's close friends, read a letter from Staff Sgt. Alec Ritz, who was by Miller's side when he was hit.
Susan Miller said Ritz carried Alex to a helicopter and tried to save him.
"I was glad to expand in my friend network by being here and was especially glad to learn more of who Alex was outside of the army, too," Bartlett said.
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