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| PGR Flag Line Navy Seal Chris Kyle 2013 |
The Patriot Guard is an interesting mix of the biker community. Members come from all walks of life, ride varying makes and models of motorcycles, run the gamut from young to old, and may or may not be veterans. Despite this diversity, every member has at least two things in common; they love motorcycles and they support and respect the military and first responder communities.
With origins dating back to 2005, the Patriot Guard got its start when members of American Legion Riders Chapter 136 decided to help shield the family of fallen soldier Sgt John Doles of Chelsea, Oklahoma from Westboro Baptist Church protesters. From those beginnings, the Patriot Guard has grown into an all-volunteer organization with thousands of members across the nation. Today, the main mission of the Patriot Guard is to “attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Much like the American Legion Riders in 2005, the Patriot Guard carries out this mission with two objectives in mind:
- Show respect for our nation’s fallen heroes,their families, and their communities
- Shield mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by protestors through legal and non-violent means
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| PGR Flag Line MSgt (Ret) Bobby Bacon 2014 |
time my heart has been touched by the outpouring of love and respect shown by Patriot Guard Riders in honor of a fallen hero…whether that hero be an active duty military member, military veteran, or first responder. The sense of fulfillment when a family member shakes your hand and thanks you for honoring their loved-one is overwhelming. I’m truly proud to be a part of an organization that stands to honor the life and service of men and women they’ve never met. It’s an amazing experience.
As motorcyclists, we don’t generally need a reason to
ride. We ride for pure enjoyment and for
the sense of freedom it provides. Riding
clears our head, relieves our stress, and makes us feel good. Riding is therapy for our soul. But if you need a reason, you won’t find a
better one than riding to respect and honor another man or woman’s service to
our nation. I encourage you to search
out the Patriot Guard Riders in your area and participate in at least one
mission. You’ll be glad you did and
you’ll be a better person for the experience.
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To See More Photos of a PGR Mission Visit My Facebook Page
Learn more about the PatriotGuard Riders (PGR)
A very good reason to ride. They've helped soldiers families here in Oregon too when WBC decides they need to boycott the funerals.
ReplyDeleteA noble ride, for sure.
Trobairitz, it is a good organization and most have a deep love and respect for our country's military and first responder communities. If you ever get a chance to participate in a PGR mission I don't think you'll be disappointed.
DeleteCheers,
Curt
I've done a few of these PGR missions and family members always come by to thank us.
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I don't get to participate in as many as I would like because of my work schedule, but I think it's a rewarding experience.
DeleteCurt