NEW FRANKLIN: Gary Kindig came home from Vietnam in October 1968 after serving with the 101st Airborne.About two weeks later, on Nov. 4, 1968, one of his best friends from Manchester High School, Marine Pfc. Burt Everett “Rusty” Miller, was killed in Vietnam when a live grenade landed on his chest. He then clutched it tightly and took the full force of the explosion.The blast killed Miller but saved the lives of a Navy corpsman and another Marine nearby in a rocky area where they were fighting.Miller’s family did not learn how he died until 2002, when the corpsman found them and shared his story.This past summer, Kindig was at the Ohio Veterans Memorial Park in Clinton with a friend.Kindig, 63, of New Franklin, told his friend he would like to have a bench at the park in honor of Miller. The friend reached into his pocket and gave Kindig a $100 bill.From that moment, Kindig was on a mission to raise money for the bench.Classmates and other friends donated about $4,000 to cover the cost of the bench in only three months.One of the first tasks was to reach out to Miller’s parents, Bob Miller, 85, and Jean Miller, 84, who still live in the house where their son grew up, to tell them about the plans for the bench.Bob Miller, a World War II Army veteran who served stateside and a Frito-Lay retiree, and Jean, a retired homemaker and nurse, said their Christian faith has guided them over the decades since their son was killed.They expect their entire family to be at the veterans park when the bench is dedicated at 4 p.m. Nov. 4 — 43 years to the day since their oldest son was killed.The Millers said they were moved in 1968 by the support given their family after Rusty died and are just as impressed now to know so many made donations for the bench.The Millers said they were at peace about their son’s death quickly.“The Lord had to settle us down,” Jean Miller said. “We said, ‘Your will, Lord.’ ”Bob Miller said his son sent home a letter saying he had found Jesus Christ while in Vietnam.“That was the greatest peace,” the father said.Kindig said his healing took place this summer and fall as the bench fundraising and planning evolved.He called Rusty a great friend and said, “The important thing is Rusty is not forgotten.”Meanwhile, the Ride for the 3,095 — the number of Ohioans killed in Vietnam — will be held Nov. 12.On that day, 3,095 motorcyclists will ride from the Days Inn in Brecksville to the Clinton park, at 8005 Cleveland-Massillon Road.The park is seeking $25 per flag sponsorship and volunteer riders.For more information, call 330-773-2385 or email info@ovmp.org or go to www.3095ride.com.Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or at jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com.