TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Fallen Pasco Soldier Buried With Military Honors
Tribune photo by CHRISTINE DELESSIO
U.S. Army Pfc. Patrick J. Miller's fiance Tara Nelson places roses in his grave after his casket was lowered into the ground during a burial service at the Florida National Cemetery Monday morning. Miller's mother, Kim is in the background with the funeral director Tom Dobies.
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Published: April 7, 2008
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BUSHNELL - Army Pfc. P.J. Miller, killed in Baghdad on March 29, was buried with military honors Monday at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
An estimated 200 people had attended the funeral Sunday in Hudson for Miller, a 23-year-old honors graduate and football player at Mitchell High School in New Port Richey who was scheduled to take
leave in a few weeks to marry his fiancée.
Just before 11 a.m. Monday, motorcycles pulled into the cemetery the Patriot Guard Riders taking their spots along the main walkway with American flags in hand.
Heavy fog let up but the skies remained gray as a black hearse and limo led dozens of cars in the burial procession.
Miller's mother, Kim, his brother Michael and his fiancée, Tara Nelson, were escorted on foot by military personnel as family and friends followed in line behind the casket.
They walked to their chairs for a service led by the Rev. John VanderKaay, chaplain at MacDill Air Force Base.
Awards and flags were presented to Miller's mother, brother and fiancée. Four shots were fired and taps was played. A uniformed honor guard walked the casket to the field across the street, where Miller was buried next to a soldier killed last month.
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.
As Monday's service neared its end, Nelson gripped the flag she was given and handed roses from a bouquet to Miller's mother and brother.
Nelson kissed her rose and tossed it into the open grave, atop Miller's casket.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( jagaka2 ) on April 7, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thank you, Army Pfc. P.J. Miller, for your service to this country. You are truly an American hero.
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Posted by ( GColl27 ) on April 7, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Mr. Bush, screw the Raghead cockroaches and bring our young men home!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by ( colonel ) on April 7, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
If protesters show up at Bushnell, I pray the Honor Guard does the 21 gun salute in their direction! and use live ammo.
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Posted by ( PIER_DODGER ) on April 8, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Thank you and your family Army Pfc. P.J. Miller, for your service to this country. You are truly an American hero. God Speed
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Posted by ( voxpopuli ) on April 8, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Please accept our condolences for the loss of your very fine loved one. Take good care of yourselves. Speak of him always.
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