PGRNY Completed Missions

Honor Mission

John M. Phillips

United States Army
Vietnam War Era Veteran
and Firefighter

Multi-City, NY - 03-03-2026

Mission applies to the following Region(s):

Region 4, Region 5

About the Mission:

The family of John Milton Phillips has requested Patriot Guard Riders' participation in his military honors funeral services. John, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Capstone Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Amsterdam.

Born in Troy, NY on September 11, 1945, John attended the District #2 School in Pittstown and was a graduate of Tamarac High School, Class of 1964. He entered active duty in the U.S. Army on 18 February 1966, during the Vietnam War. After basic training, he attended the Army’s Radio and Signals Operating School at Fort Gordon, Georgia where he was trained as a Radio Telephone Operator (MOS 05C20F8). For the balance of his service, he was stationed at a listening post in Alaska and Fort Lewis in Washington State. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 4th Class (E-4) on February 6, 1968, and for his service, was awarded a National Defense Service Medal and Expert Badge - Rifle (M-14).

For more than 25 years, John was employed as a construction worker and foreman by the former Matzen Construction Inc. in Raymertown and later, by Rifenburgh Construction in Brunswick, retiring in 2012. John was a member of the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company for more than 62 years. He was a past Chief, a Fire Commissioner, served on the Board of Directors, and was a past Secretary of the company. In addition, he was a member of the B.P.O.E. Brunswick Lodge #2556 in Eagle Mills for many years, and served at one time as the lodge’s Exalted Ruler.

Portions of the above narrative are contained in John's obituary, available for viewing by clicking here

Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:

03-03-2026 at 09:30am

Staging Location:

Howard B. Tate & Son Funeral Home, Inc.
2237 NY Route 7
Troy, NY 12180

Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Ray Sestak
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
518-669-3358

Special Information:

Staging at the funeral home with a flag line for the arrival of family and guests. There will be a 10:00 am funeral service, followed by dignified transfer and escort to Saratoga National Cemetery for a 12:30 pm interment service. The escort route will include a stop at the Pittstown Volunteer Fire Company for a Last Call tribute.

Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?

yes

Second Staging Date and Staging Time:

03-03-2026 at 12:00pm

Second Location:

Saratoga National Cemetery
200 Duell Road
Schuylerville, NY 12871

Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:

Ray Sestak
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
518-669-3358

Second Stage - Special Information:

Interment with military honors scheduled for 12:30 pm. Please stage quietly and in accordance with current guidelines.

Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?

no

Submitted by:

Ray Sestak

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.