Bikers Stand Guard At Military Funerals

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2006 - A motorcycle group that
travels the country attending military funerals is experiencing
near-explosive growth, the group's national spokesman
reported today.

Patriot Guard Riders

attend military funerals to show
respect for those who have sacrificed and to shield their loved
ones from interruptions by

Protestors


The group, which started as a grassroots effort in the fall
in response to protesters who were attending military
funerals, now has 20,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico,
Guam and Germany, Kurt Mayer said in an interview with
American Forces Press Service.

Fifteen thousand members have joined the group during the
past seven weeks alone, he said.

"It's all happening kind of fast. It's amazing the response
we've gotten," Mayer said. "It shows that all this has hit
a raw, patriotic nerve, and we're attracting a
cross-section of America -- everyone from CEOs to coal miners and
aerospace engineers to corner-garage mechanics."

These members, who range in age from 14 to 82, form a loose
perimeter around funeral services and create a "corridor of
honor," hoisting flags along the funeral procession route,
Mayer explained. "It's a very impressive sight to see 100
flags on either side," he said. "There's a wash of
overwhelming emotion."

The Patriot Guard Riders started attending funerals and
forming a line of flags and motorcycles to block people
attending military funerals from having to see protesters who
began appearing at military funerals. But as the group has
grown and more families request the honor cordon, the riders
now attend all funerals of fallen servicemembers when asked,
Mayer said.

Mayer emphasized that the group attends funerals only at
the family's request. "We recognize that this is a very
private affair, and we ensure that the family wants us to be
there and that we're not intruding on their feelings," he
said.

The goal, he said, is to show respect for fallen
servicemembers and "to show a grieving family and a sometimes shocked
community that America still cares."

"The most important thing we can do is let families know
that the nation cares," Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky
captain, told reporters following a recent memorial service
at Fort Campbell, Ky. "When a total stranger gets on a
motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold
a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

"Each of us holding a three-by-five (foot) American flag
(is letting) the family know and providing some confront that
yes, America really does care about their loss," agreed
Jason Wallin, a group member.

"We're just simply Americans doing the right thing," Mayer
said, noting that the effort transcends politics. "We're
completely apolitical," he said. "Some members of our
organization are pro-war and some are completely, completely
against the war. What we have in common is an unwavering respect
for the fallen and the sacrifice they have made."

"The group is made up mostly of motorcyclists who have
served in the military, but it's not a requirement," Mayer
said.

"We don't care what you ride, what your political views
are, or whether you're a 'hawk' or a 'dove,'" according to the
group's Web site. "It is not a requirement that you be a
veteran. It doesn't matter where you're from or what your
income is. You don't even have to ride. The only prerequisite
is respect."

Mayer said the group has received "very, very, very
positive" responses from the families of individuals whose
funerals it has attended. "Without exception, there's a very
heartfelt response," he said.

The organization's Web site has a feature titled "We Get
Letters," which contains - among other testimonials -
expressions of gratitude from the families of fallen
servicemembers.

The family of Marine Lance Cpl. Adam VanAlstine, who was
killed in February by an improvised explosive device in
Ramadi, Iraq, expressed deep appreciation for the group's
participation in his memorial service earlier this month in
Superior, Wisc.

"What an amazing relief and comfort you provided to our
grieving family and friends -- not to mention providing the
coolest and most honorable way to enter a service that any of
us had ever seen," the family wrote following the service.
"Your service to us was a real blessing Please know that
your show of love and support was felt by all. We were so
proud to have you with us that day. Thank you for your honor
and respect of our fallen hero."

The family of Army Pfc. Peter Wagler, killed in January by
an improvised explosive device in Baghdad, expressed a
similar sentiment. "I have never seen such a display of flags
as we encountered when leaving the church," one family
member wrote. "I have a video in my head of the 'tunnel of
flags,' but really wish I had an actual video of it. Many people
have told me how meaningful the flags were to them; many
shed tears as they drove through the tunnel.

"As for your protecting us from the demonstrators," he
wrote, "I looked for them, but could not see them. I never did
see them."

Wagler loved motorcycles and planned to buy one after
returning from Iraq, the family member wrote. "He won't get to
do that, but he would have loved the tremendous display you
put on. Our family feels inadequate in expressing our
thanks, but please know that we deeply appreciate what you did
for us."
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Patriot Guard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God Bless These People!!!
I posted about these people a couple weeks back on my other blog For The Troops
But that was like when they were 5000 members strong now they are 20,000 members strong. It is sad that it has come to haveing this kind of protesting crud at our Military Funerals, and it's time someone put's a stop to these nutcases! It's a true blessing to have the Patriot Guard! Take a real good look, those on the protest picture are the Extreme Far Left a/k/a Liberals!!