This mission was in honor of United States Army Specialist (Spc) Philip C. S. Schiller.  Spc Schiller died April 11th in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire.  

This was a three-part mission starting with Spc Schiller’s arrival at Corporate Aviation at DFW Airport on Sunday April 22nd.   About 09:00, four riders along with units from the Irving Police Department escorted the coach and family members from Jeter and Son Funeral home to Corporate Aviation.  As they entered the parking lot at Corporate Aviation, an honor line of 112 patriots met them as they passed through to the tarmac.  After the honor guard transferred Spc Schiller to the coach, the PGR led the procession back to Jeter and Son Funeral Home.  The Irving Police Department provided the escort for the procession by closing the roadway between the airport and funeral home to all other traffic.  In addition to the coach, family and military vehicles, the procession included 100 bikes and 5 cages.  When the procession arrived at the funeral home, the riders again formed an honor line and rendered honors as the honor guard moved Spc Schiller from the coach to the Chapel inside the funeral home.

Part two of this mission was the visitation at Jeter and Son Funeral Home on Monday, April 23rd.   The visitation service began at 18:00 and continued until 20:00.  Riders arrived early, set the flag line and stood tall and silent as family and guests arrived.  Before the visitation service began the parents and sister of Spc Schiller were presented with North Texas PGR plaques in honor of and in appreciation for Spc Schiller’s service and sacrifice.  30 Riders attended this part of the mission, arriving on 19 bikes and seven cages.

Part three of this mission was the memorial service, procession to DFW National Cemetery and the interment service at Shelter B on Tuesday, April 24th.  Once again, the PGR arrived early, set the flags and stood tall and silent as family and guests arrived.  The memorial service began at 13:00.  At the memorial service, Brigadier General DiSalvo presented citations awarded to Spc Schiller posthumously to Spc Schiller’s family.  These citations included the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Campaign Medal and a NATO Certificate.  After the memorial service concluded, the PGR led a procession of family, guests and military personnel to the DFW National Cemetery for the interment service at 14:30.  The Dallas Police Department provided the escort for the procession by closing the roadway from the funeral home to the cemetery to all other traffic.  Before the procession arrived at Shelter B, flags had been posted and riders were standing tall and silent awaiting the arrival of the family and guests.  Full military honors were rendered for Spc Schiller including the presentation of flags to Spc Schiller’s father, mother and sister by Brigadier General DiSalvo. 

After the service, Spc Schiller’s father, Eric, mother, Robin, and sister, Courtney met with all the riders and expressed their appreciation for our presence.   Many tears, hugs and handshakes followed.

Throughout this mission, riders representing the American Legion Riders Post 21 from The Colony, the Christian Motorcycle Association, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Boozefighters Motorcycle Club, Southern Cruisers Riding Club, Hog Chapters and others joined with the Patriot Guard Riders to honor this American Hero and his family.

