U.S. army vet Jerry Miller is alive – despite being declared dead four times

Mark Twain famously wrote, in 1897, "The report of my death was an exaggeration."

Army veteran Jerry Miller has said the same thing — four times. Apparently that's not enough.

"I'm alive. I'm very alive," Miller told WESH 2 News, refuting the claims made by the U.S. Veterans Administration that he was quite the opposite.

"To me, it's stupid. I can't die but one time. They have killed me four times," Miller said.

The former drill sergeant spent 10 years in the Army. In July 2010, he received a letter, addressed to his estate, expressing sympathy for his death — and informing him that he was subsequently no longer eligible for his veterans benefit.

He corrected the Veterans Administration of the mistake and they restarted his benefits.

And then another letter came.

Even this month, another letter arrived, asking his estate to repay $94,000 of his benefits payout because of concerns the money went to a dead man. Again, Miller insists he's not dead.

The VA is looking into the case, as will Miller's congressman.

While he's glad to be alive, "so far, being alive has not been sufficient proof that he is not dead," WESH 2 News reports.

The good news? His death-that-isn't made headlines — and his case will likely now get the attention it deserves.