Patriot Guard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Patriot Guard Riders are a motorcyclist group comprised primarily of veterans who attend the funerals of members of the U.S. Armed Forces at the invitation of the deceased’s family. The group was initially formed to shelter and protect the funerals from protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church, who claim that the deaths of U.S. service members in Iraq and Afghanistan are divine retribution for American tolerance of homosexuality. The Patriot Guard positions itself to physically shield the mourners from the presence of the Westboro protesters by blocking the protesters from view with their motorcade, or by having members hold American flags. The group also drowns out the protesters' chants by singing patriotic songs or by revving motorcycle engines.
The group's mission quickly expanded to include the funerals of law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, and any active duty member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and is now largely focused on recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of deceased soldiers as well as their families and loved ones. As of April 28, 2008, the group reported over 137,000 members. In addition to their attendance at funerals, the group also greet the soldiers at welcome home celebrations, deployment ceremonies, and perform volunteer work for veteran's organizations such as Veterans Homes.
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[edit] Origins
The official origins of the Patriot Guard Riders as a self-identified group started in August 2005 as an impromptu gathering of American Legion Riders in Mulvane, Kansas from American Legion Riders Post 136.[1][2]
Other motorcycle groups may have conducted similar activities around the time of the formation of the Patriot Guard Riders, specifically organizing motorcycle rides and meetings at the funerals of deceased soldiers to disrupt the protest activities of the Westboro Baptist Church. The Missouri Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association[3] conducted such an event for Specialist Edward Lee Myers[4] of Saint Joseph, Missouri in early August 2005, as well as attending the funeral of Specialist Lucas Allen Frantz in Tonganoxie, Kansas, in October 2005.[5]
[edit] Mission statement
Taken from the organization's website, the stated mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is:[6]
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The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us. We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a "hawk" or a "dove". 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. 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.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means. |
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[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ American Legion Post 136 Website
- ^ www.patriotguard.org - Lineage of the Patriot Guard Riders
- ^ Missouri Chapter of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
- ^ Funeral of Specialist Edward Lee Myers
- ^ Funeral of Specialist Lucas Allen Frantz
- ^ www.patriotguard.org - Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement