Ben Miller, 19, graduated from Marietta High School in June and, like many of his classmates, decided to join the military. Miller recently spent 13 weeks in the Parris Island, S.C, U.S. Marine Corps boot camp. He said he missed having his family by his side.

"It was hard to be pushed that hard physically and mentally and not have direct family there to talk to about it," he said.

Miller's mother, Susan Miller, said Ben had never been away from home for such a long period of time, and it wasn't easy for her, either.

"It was horrible," she said. "My ex-husband and I share custody of him, so he is with me one week and with him the next, but even during the weeks he was with his father, I saw him at school events. There never was a week that went by that I didn't see him."

Susan said Ben mailed letters to her every week he was in boot camp, except for the week-long period toward the end of the camp when he was away from his barracks for day and night outings.

Ben is in Marietta until Dec. 7. He is currently fulfilling recruiter assistance duties around the area.

"I'm very happy to be home," said Ben. "I'm going to be with family on Thanksgiving and just visit as much family and friends as I can throughout the day."

Both Tim, Ben's dad, and Susan are also excited about Ben being home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

"I'm definitely excited about him being home and spending time with family and friends," said Tim. Susan said she's thankful he's home, but added that she is apprehensive about where he'll go next.

Former Marietta High School principal Mike Elliott said that more graduates from Benjamin's class went on to join the military than any other class in the last five years.

Ben added that he is very thankful for the "welcome home" signs displayed at local businesses.