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Many Say Goodbye To Fallen Soldier
Tribune photo by ANDY JONES
Tara Nelson stands by the flag drapped coffin of her fiance PFC Patrick Joseph "PJ" Miller Sunday after his funeral at the Frist United Methodist Church of Hudson.
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Published: April 6, 2008
Updated: 04/06/2008 08:09 pm
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HUDSON - P.J. Miller's smile was infectious.
He could dance without music.
If you came into the kitchen while he was cooking, you were likely to wind up in a food fight.
Nearly 200 people filled the pews Sunday at First United Methodist Church on U.S. 19 to say good-bye to Army Pfc. Miller, 23, who was killed March 29 in Baghdad.
His fiancé, Tara Nelson, seemed to speak for everyone who knew him in a note read aloud by the Rev. Richard C. Schmidt.
"To lose someone so young is a tragedy, but to lose someone like P.J. is completely devastating," she said in the note.
Miller, of the 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan., was deployed to Iraq in September on his first tour.
He had expected to return to Fort Riley in a few weeks, then take a 30-day leave and marry Nelson, his high school sweetheart.
At Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Miller had been an honors student who played football, baseball and wrestled. He graduated with a straight-A average.
Michael Miller, 17, said he idolized his older brother.
"Although he can't be here, I'll do my best to honor him and keep my family strong," he said. "He had his future set up when he was 12. He was the strongest person I ever met, the most athletic. Words can't really describe P.J. He touched my soul.
"He always listened to everyone."
Burial and military honors will be at 11 a.m. today at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
During Sunday's services, his family was given Gold Star banners and Gold Star buttons by Army officials.
Miller's family said that he earned a biology degree from the University of South Florida and had wanted to become a surgeon.
In a note read by Schmidt, his father, Patrick Miller, referred to him as "Superman," and said that he was proud of everything his son had accomplished.
"We have not lost you, for you are now in all of us," he said in the note. "I love and salute you forever, buddy. See you on the other side of the rainbow."
Although many people wept openly at the service Sunday, Schmidt said Miller believed in the war he died in. His flag-covered casket was wheeled out of the church to the accompaniment of "America the Beautiful," played by a bagpiper.
The casket passed a collage of photographs. There were shots of Miller as a baby, in sports uniforms and posing with Popeye.
Outside, thunder cracked and rain fell steadily as pallbearers loaded the casket into a hearse. Before the door was closed, Nelson leaned inside, touched the casket and kissed it good-bye.
Reporter Geoff Fox can be reached at (813) 948-4217 or gfox@tampatrib.com. Reporters Lisa A. Davis of The Tampa Tribune and Samara Sodos of News Channel 8 contributed to this report.
"We have not lost you, for you are now in all of us. I love and salute you forever, buddy. See you on the other side of the rainbow"
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( misticleansfla ) on April 6, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Today you welcome me to heaven and sorrow feels your heart even though we are not together we will never be apart.
Our time we had together was cut short in the blink of an eye but you can still see me in all god’s glory when you look up to the sky.
Why god called me home so soon right now I can’t explain I know you want the answers and your friends all feel your pain
Today you cry and say good bye to the son whom you gave birth but I promise you our time in heaven will be an eternity that on earth
Now it is time to move on and let me fly to heaven above I know you will not forget me as you will always feel my love as I look down on you today I know why you are sad but please remember even here in heaven you are still my Mom and Dad
Rest in peace PFC.Patrick Miller may your star shine bright
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Posted by ( jbsteel ) on April 6, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This is very tragic. My condolences go out to the friend's and family of this hero.
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Posted by ( joeyg ) on April 6, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Let's pray for him and his family and NOT let his death be in vain.
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Posted by ( shefish ) on April 6, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
God Bless you and your family. So sorry this has happened. So sad.
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Posted by ( dbrown34550 ) on April 6, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
This man is a hero. My sincere condolences to the family and friends of PJ Miller. Anyone who commits the ultimate sacrifice for our country has a special place in my thoughts and prayers - from a fellow combat veteran.
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Posted by ( Nop ) on April 6, 2008 at 8:46 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
PJ Thanks for your service to America, Thanks from my family, may god bless your soul and your family!
Nop
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Posted by ( chjh ) on April 6, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm so sorry for your loss. He will forever be a hero.
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Posted by ( mikeith ) on April 6, 2008 at 11:37 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Schmidt, what you said was wonderful. My heart goes out to you and PJ's loved ones. Thank you for believing.
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Posted by ( rjc59 ) on April 7, 2008 at 12:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Speaking from the dug outs. I just want to say to the family: Psalm30-5 For his anger endureth but a moment in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night,but joy cometh in the morning. God bless you and your love ones. Always SSG RJC 23rd INF. DIV.
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Posted by ( Dawg_In_Tampa ) on April 7, 2008 at 7:47 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ritchie - I disagree. This young man did NOT die in vain! He willingly gave his life for you and me so we can wake up every morning and enjoy our lives; our families; our freedom!
No sir. This young hero certianly did NOT die in vain.
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Posted by ( Nop ) on April 7, 2008 at 8:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ritchie you have a very short sighting ness, you do not realize that this war if not fought over there will come back here just as in 9/11. This concept is not government made its the ideology of terrorists, this man gave his life so that we can have this discussion on this board, without our freedoms the terrorists will control our thoughts and actions. I have a young family and I want them to be free to do what their hearts tell them not what a terrorist or muslim extremist tells them to do.
PJ is a hero and I’m proud and thankful for his actions!
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Posted by ( ctguerrero ) on April 7, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
PJ was doing what he wanted. He would have never have put himself in a situation to die in a way that people would just allow to pass. Miss you Superman
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Posted by ( GotchaNow ) on April 7, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
P.J. Miller you are in a new place with the true Mornigstar...You ran your race and were full of grace now you are at rest in Him above! Thank You - so much for your service to this country and my family (we honor you in prayer for your family here) they will be comforted.
Ritchie - this man died in Glory and Honor - something I pray you will understand someday! Think before you write.
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Posted by ( voxpopuli ) on April 7, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I'm very sorry for the loss of your beloved son, brother, fiancee, future. It's the worst thing that happens, almost.
However, in the interest of honesty, this wonderful, special young man died so that he could defend what he believed in, as stated by his family.
He died so that Ritchie and I and everyone else HERE can say and do what we want freely, as Americans.
That's IF you believe we are fighting for freedom in Iraq. Each of us are entitled to our opinions on that.
For P.J.'s Mom, Dad, Brother and Tara .... time does NOT heal all wounds but it will help.
Speak of him always.
To his many friends: sorry for your loss.
And, no TRUE American would leap to hush another American for practicing free speech.
Over 70% of Americans believe we need to get out of this illegal war.
P.J. felt differently. I feel sure he would have sat down and discussed it with me as a man, not as a person shouting me down.
Learn something from it.
Mom, hang in there. It gets a LOT worse before it gets better.
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Posted by ( chuckhill ) on April 7, 2008 at 7:47 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Ritchie,
We would never ask you to understand the contribution so many people make for their country in so many ways. It is plain to see you are a mental defective.
You are shallow and basically rude!
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Posted by ( Satyagraha34 ) on April 8, 2008 at 4 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
My condolences to Pvt. Miller and his family. These kids come from not-so-well-to-do families and are given a chance to make something of their lives and this government and administration has taken advantage of their eagerness. Terrorists and 9/11 have absolutely nothing to do with Iraq; this young man died for a noble cause (his country) but for a fool's errand (Bush's Iraqi War). Don't let people people like JoeyG make you think that leaving this war will prove this man died in vain. Take it as a lesson so others tomorrow or next week or next year won't actually die in vain being pushed into a war where there's no hope of winning.
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Posted by ( archangel2790 ) on April 10, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
How about this. How about we post our condolences and leave the political discussion where the family doesn't have to be berated by all of your opinions?
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