Patriot Guard Riders

Awesome people doing a great thing. When people from Westboro baptist church were demonstrating near the church where one of my buddies funeral was being held the PG lined their bikes up between them and the church and reved their bikes when the family came out with the casket so that the family wouldn't have to listen to the church members.

A few days ago, I received a notice for a funeral mission just over the border in Louisiana (about a 2 hour ride). The forecast was calling for 27 degrees that morning and I'm not really set for COLD weather riding, so I was going to pass on this one. This gentleman had served 4 years in the USAF a bit later than I had served in the Navy, so I felt a bit of a link......but 27 degrees! Then comes the kicker, he had no known family and only one friend was expected to attend. That was a sucker punch...... We had a major effort set up that day preparing for the "Snowball Express", an event for the children of our fallen warriors so I wasn't sure if anyone else could get out there. So, cold or not, there was no way I would chance this man going to rest without recognition. I left the house well before light. I knew I had a number of bridges on back country roads to cross and that they most likely would have ice, so I wanted lots of time to cross slowly. Had to stop frequently to thaw out my fingers but I had this picture in my mind of that casket going into the ground with just one friend standing there. I was a pretty miserable creature by the time I crested the hill and saw the cemetery. Coming in the gate I had to pull over and it was a struggle to hold back the tears. The central flag was at half mast. The pavilion was ringed with American flags gently waving in the breeze. The sight that teared me up though, was the 30 or so riders grouped around the Flag Captains truck, preparing for the riders meeting. There were riders from 150 miles around from Texas and Louisiana there. About 70% were veterans. Suddenly I felt foolish for doubting my brothers and sisters, and yet I was proud enough to burst to see them there. About a dozen or so co-workers also attended. The VA chaplain from the facility where he passed away read the service and shared some personal notes about the man. The Air Force handled the flag folding and presented it to the cemetery administrator. It will be tagged with the mans name and stored at the facility in the event that a family is found.
This is the spirit that made our country and military great. All these people showed up to pay respects to a man they never met, to honor his service. I feel privileged to be allowed to ride with them.

I ride, and have a great deal of respect for PGR. I would be a member myself if my schedule permitted. Still something I want to do if I am ever able to fully retire.