| Author | Message | ||
     Ericcogdell |
I had the honor of riding with the Patriot Guard today. Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church was scheduled to protest a funeral in ,Topeka, KS, of an honorable Airman from the Vietnam War. This churches beliefs is one of the most radical church I have seen. These people in my opinion perform the most non-American acts possible. Why you would want to disgrace and terrorize a grieving family is beyond me. While I was the only Buell out of over sixty bikes, I did meet some wonderful people. If you ever get a chance to participate in one of these honor rides, please do so. You will not regret it. The feeling you get when the family comes to you and thanks you for your help protecting them from the Crazy People makes you melt inside. I took a couple of pic with my cell so I could share my experience with you. I hope you like them. Please let me know if anyone else out there has had the opportunity to ride with the Patriot Guard.      | ||
| Billyo |
I agree, even without the protesters it shows the families that we appreciate our service members and honor them for the sacrifices that they and their families have made. I don't make nearly as many as I would like to. They do escorts for any veteran even an occasional WWll vet. BTW it can be rough on a Buell when going parade speed-these things just cannot do 10mph. That's one reason I want to try an xb9 primary. | ||
| Terrafirma |
Eric, thanks for your service to our country and for being part of the Patriot Guard for that family. | ||
| Jsg4dfan |
Two thumbs up. Any contact info you can PM me so that I may possibly participate would be most appreciated. | ||
| Billyo |
Go to patriotguard.org Also, there are videos on youtube. It's quite an experience. | ||
| Ericcogdell |
If you go to one of the web sites you can be put on an e-mail list and you will receive all the mission information. The Kansas site-http://www.patriotguardks.org/ National site-http://www.patriotguard.org/Home/tabid/53/Default. aspx | ||
| Hooper |
I ride with the PGR down to Arlington National Cemetery every month or so, usually for the non-DC-area kids (and they are often SO young) who are being laid to rest at ANC, far from their hometown. The local honorees usually have a huge group in attendance to pay respects. The ones from Oregon or Montana or Kansas often don't. I also try to attend ones in cold months and bad weather when the PGR has a hard time getting people to come out. The f'ing Phelps family has been in the news recently because of the court case that upheld their right to "protest" at funerals, as long as they're in a specific area and being "peaceful". It's crap. The cemetery is probably private property and should be petitioned to prevent anyone they deem disruptive from coming in. I'm glad you're in that part of the country to stand for the troop and stand against those crazies. At the ANC rides, it's nothing but quiet and respect. And you're right, when the family of the fallen come over and thank ME for being there, I feel more than a little self-conscious. They don't have to come over to these strangers and thank them...we thank THEM for letting us be there. Many people assume I'm a veteran on these rides, which I am not, but it really doesn't matter. The more respect and quiet witness that can be brought to the ceremony feels like the right thing to do. On a lighter note, all the grizzled Harley riders get a kick out of seeing an ATGATT rider on a Buell bagger among all the denim and leather on Electra Glides. | ||
| Gsilvernale |
I have participated in about a dozen missions with the South Carolina Patriot Guard over the last 3 years. I would do more if I had the time. I've ridden with them on a BMW Dakar, Honda VFR, Kawasaki 750F, and a Buell Ulysses. I do stand out because about 95% are on Harleys. Also the core group seem to be Vietnam Vets. I have never gotten any flak for riding non-Harley. They do not care. For them its about the mission. Paying tribute, being patriotic and being there just in case the misguided Westboro church members show up. A lot of the missions do not require Parade speeds. Some do not require bikes at all. Just standing in a Flag Line at a Funeral home. I would heartily recommend that you find a couple of missions in your area and participate. If you go to the PGR website, and read what people post, you will understand very quickly. |
