Patriot Guard Riders

PO3 John Jeter — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:40:12 -0400

As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders in East Texas, I'm curious about what the military and veteran communities think of us and what we do. Most of our riders are vets, but not all. Most ride bikes or trikes, but not all. We have people from just about every conflict and from many different Veterans groups. We're always open to new members. So as I said earlier, I'm curious as to the perception of the group.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 1:03 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 01:03:17 -0400

As a veteran cycle ride in SoCal, I am interested in finding out more information about veteran groups. However, there is a dirth of less than Satisfactory cycle groups in the area... some of the veteran groups are less than savory as well...

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 2:00 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 02:00:21 -0400

I don't ride. But, in my experience, PGR vets are a great bunch of people.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 4:15 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 04:15:52 -0400

I did a year with the Whiteman AFB Honor Guard, and had the honor of working with the patriot guard on several occasions. I was really glad for them when we had Westboro Baptist Church show up at a funeral.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jul 17 at 2014 6:43 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 06:43:22 -0400

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.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Jul 22 at 2014 10:26 PM

PO3 John Jeter — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 22:26:31 -0400

Good people! About 20 bikes & trikes showed up in Tyler Texas to pay respects to a young man who once served in the Armed Forces. It really makes a difference to the families to see strangers paying respects to their departed loved ones and acknowledging that their contribution mattered. Riders showed up from over 100 miles away. We have riders that served in Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq, Kuwait, and every other conflict. About 20% were never in the service, they just come to pay their respects out of gratitude for the services rendered to our nation. It's refreshing to see respect and honor making a comeback......

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Jul 22 at 2014 10:37 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 22:37:56 -0400

Appreciate all you do for our fallen comrades. I first met a group of Patriot Guard Riders in 2007 when we laid a Soldier from our platoon to rest. I hear about the great things the PGRs do around the nation in the news or by mouth. Glad you show up in numbers to keep protesters away from funerals. I once heard a very large group of PGRs drowned out the protesters with motorcycles running loud. Eventually they left when they couldn't compete with the Patriot Guard Riders. Keep up the support and thank you once again.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Nov 20 at 2014 1:19 AM

PO3 John Jeter — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:19:34 -0500

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.

Response by SPC Jack Hunt, JR made Nov 20 at 2014 9:06 AM

SPC Jack Hunt, JR — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:06:34 -0500

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.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Nov 20 at 2014 12:39 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:39:35 -0500

Who doesn't love the Patriot Guard Riders. The Only one I know Personally is a Fellow Liberal Blogger and Navy Cryptologic Technician.

Response by SCPO Brian Kompara made Nov 20 at 2014 12:54 PM

SCPO Brian Kompara — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 12:54:15 -0500

All good bro! I've been with them in south texas since 2005. Don't make many missions anymore, working too much

Response by Sgt Ronald Petroski made Sep 28 at 2015 11:19 PM

Sgt Ronald Petroski — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 23:19:14 -0400

We had a pgr mission to escort the wall here in Az. the total bikers was 250 ppl and 200 bikes.

Response by CW5 Andrew J. Foreman made Jul 24 at 2016 9:13 PM

CW5 Andrew J. Foreman — Sun, 24 Jul 2016 21:13:47 -0400

I love it so much I joined! The mission statement says it all.
Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:
1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protester or group of protesters.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 6 at 2018 1:01 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:01:05 -0500

One can only be impressed by the veterans, shiny bikes, numbers of riders, the noise, and the mission of the Patriot Guard. I saw them leading a funeral procession at Ft Leavenworth and estimate there were 100-150 motorcycles.

Response by SSG Byron Howard Sr made Feb 21 at 2019 3:59 PM

SSG Byron Howard Sr — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 15:59:16 -0500

Good. I rode with PG in San Antonio. This is a mission at the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 21 at 2019 5:53 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 17:53:56 -0500

The Patriot Guard is a loud reminder and presence of acknowledging honor to the fallen. They also protect the families from protestors.

Response by LCpl Bradley Otto made May 5 at 2020 2:45 PM

LCpl Bradley Otto — Tue, 05 May 2020 14:45:35 -0400

As a vet myself I think the whole program is wonderful. The premise for which it has to be used on occasion is shameful. The fact that there are people in our country who would willing disrespect and protest at a veterans funeral is unacceptable, in my opinion. And that's the rub, the fallen veteran has fought and paid for the very right of the demonstrators to protest. I just hate the conflict. When I'm done with the Honor Guard details I will be joining your ranks to ride along side our warriors.