Patriot Guard

[Desert Spyder]

In todays issue of the USA paper, page 3A, is a picture of the Patriot Guard following a Hearse in the burial of a departed vet. The escort included 2 Spyders that were visible. I've been asked to join the PG but need to wait until I retire next year to have the time. I was wondering if anybody else out there are PGer's or was thinking about it or if anybody out there knew much about the Guard?

 

[FANG]

In todays issue of the USA paper, page 3A, is a picture of the Patriot Guard following a Hearse in the burial of a departed vet. The escort included 2 Spyders that were visible. I've been asked to join the PG but need to wait until I retire next year to have the time. I was wondering if anybody else out there are PGer's or was thinking about it or if anybody out there knew much about the Guard?

I am a new member of the PG so can't tell you alot about it. UI hjave not been on my first mission yet as I too work and can only attend on the weekends.

I work at the VA in Pensacola and have been asked by several Veterans to join so I did - looking forward to my first mission.

 

[obiwanbill]

In todays issue of the USA paper, page 3A, is a picture of the Patriot Guard following a Hearse in the burial of a departed vet. The escort included 2 Spyders that were visible. I've been asked to join the PG but need to wait until I retire next year to have the time. I was wondering if anybody else out there are PGer's or was thinking about it or if anybody out there knew much about the Guard?

There is no short answer...

a "Baptist Church", Hillsboro Baptist in Kansas has a web site www.Godhatesfags.com. Their "mission" centers around how EVIL the USA is for "permitting" homosexual rights. They express this by disrupting military funerals with their members yelling God hates fags, Semper Fag, etc. Patriot Guard was formed from bikers/veterans that thought this was wrong. The PGR movement has spread across the country www.patriotguard.org . We, in a non-confrontational silent manner show up at funerals with 3 x 5 flags, forming a line between these protesters and the funeral families. The effect is to honor the dead and to partially block the view of these "church members". PGR expanded this to include police/firefighters and other first responders. And also to honor returning military from war and send offs/returns of units to the war zone.

Hillsboro Baptist actually sends out their members to protest, but seem to not appear at most funerals...the "threat" that they might show is one reason for PGR to be there. When the "church" doesn't show, the funeral/homecoming/send off is given a proper flag waving salute that they deserve.

With the surge in Iraq several years ago, it seemed that active duty funerals were fewer and fewer...most of the funerals these days are those of WW II, Korean War and Vietnam Era veterans. PGR also gets involved with veterans in need, like with home repairs for disabled Vets. 3 years ago, the PGR HQ donated 1/3 of the cost of building a wheelchair ramp on my home.

PGR is not limited to just veterans and bikers...many civilians are members and there are always a few "cagers" that go with us.

PGR ONLY participates if the family requests it.
PGR will not get into shouting matches, fights, etc with protesters.

Membership is free via the PGR website and is funded by donations and sales of caps and t-shirts.
The PGR site has listed events (missions) listed by state. By signing up I was able to get specific notification of missions in my local area (I am handicapped and usually stay in NW Ohio); advance notice so I could plan to attend.

 

[BumbleBee]

I have been a member for over a year now. I have participated in 7 PGR missions.

We get notified by our PGR Ryde Captain from our local area.

PGR ONLY participates if the family members requests it in a funeral.

PGR also participates in escorts for departing and returning Units from the war if the Unit requests it.

You will see me in the video towards the end, I am the only spyder there.

http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/video.php?do=viewdetails&videoid=143

 

[G-Man]

In todays issue of the USA paper, page 3A, is a picture of the Patriot Guard following a Hearse in the burial of a departed vet. The escort included 2 Spyders that were visible. I've been asked to join the PG but need to wait until I retire next year to have the time. I was wondering if anybody else out there are PGer's or was thinking about it or if anybody out there knew much about the Guard?

No need to wait until you retire. Not all members are retired. Not all members participate in every mission. Not all members even ride bikes.

I've been a member for some time now, and work full time. I drove my truck on my first mission.

My wife (BumbleBee)(also a member) and 11 year old son (also a member) and I have been on several missions. Whether the mission is for a memorial, funeral departing unit, or returning unit, there is no greater pride, nor better time to show support for our Soldiers and their families. No greater opportunity to support the morals of our nation than to stand firm in support of grieving families and separate them from the trash that would take advantage of their grief to their own distorted purposes.

You don't necessarily need to take time from work to support the PGR. On July 3rd many PGR members (over 100) participated in a parade in Cabool, MO celebrating Independence Day and the Moving Viet Nam Memorial Wall.

Go on-line, sign up, and participate as you can. You won't regret it. Welcome to the Patriot Guard Riders.

 

[Desert Spyder]

The last 4 posts should be an inspiration to us all. You're right about not having to wait for retirement. Hopefully this thread might inspire a few others, or a whole bunch.

 

[canam9]

:2thumbs::ani29:

 

[SpyderWolf]

It appears the Patriot Guard web site may be down right now, unless it is just my system. I keep receiving a 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable error message. :dontknow:

 

[Desert Spyder]

It appears the Patriot Guard web site may be down right now, unless it is just my system. I keep receiving a 503 Service Temporarily Unavailable error message. :dontknow:

me 2

 

[RTGENE]

RESPECT

I have participated at the request of family members on many occasions over the years. My first experience coming face to face with this protest group was very upsetting.
They had ten adults and six children with them. The signs they carried were a creation of the most hurtful comments that could be seen by any grieving Mother and Father. The chants and shouts were meant to insight a violent response. They tore apart an American flag and wrapped their feet in its pieces. They paraded by with their laughs and jeers kicking up dirt along the roadway. It was a very difficult time for me as it was for many others.
The reason they show up was explained to me later that this is a job for them, it has nothing to do with religion or protesting the war. Its all about money any disturbance by any one out side of their group is a law suit that they will win.
Ignoring them is infuriating beyond belief. Keeping the family from seeing them and showing respect for their hero is so very necessary.
Then the unbelievable happens we escort the hearse to the cemetery. The streets were lined with everyone in town. All traffic stopped, shops closed schools were let out Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts in uniform stood at attention. Everyone standing by the roadside hand over their heart heads bowed or holding a flag quietly showing their respect.
Then it hits you these are Americans not them. I see the tears along the way and the wind causes my eyes to water along with the rest of this hero's escort.
When the last prayers were said at the grave site this hero's mom came by and hugged then thanked each of one us. His proud father, a veteran himself, with tears running down his face could say nothing and shook each hand.
Once you have ridden with the family that will never ever forget the respect you showed their son, you will do everything possible to ride with the next family that needs you.
Gene
USAF

 

[G-Man]

The web-site is temporarily down. They've been having problems lately. You can follow PGR on their Face Book Group, which was established as a back-up for just such occasions.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=2208690618

Thanks for your support.

 

[Questions]

I have been a member for over 2 years. Been on way over 100 missions. We have a VA cemetery about 10 miles from my house, so a lot of services due to the local cemetery.

I can honestly say this is the most rewarding experience (s) I have every felt. Just to pay my silent respect to these fallen heroes both young and old.

I have been off my :spyder2:for a couple of months due to health issues. I hope to be back on soon. But I still attend missions in my "cage". I can't stand the flag line, so I bring my lawn chair and sit the line.

Do join. You will not be sorry.

Jim

 

[SpyderWolf]

The web-site is temporarily down. They've been having problems lately. You can follow PGR on their Face Book Group, which was established as a back-up for just such occasions.

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=2208690618

Thanks for your support.

I have been doing my best to not become a Facebook member, but you may be pushing me in that direction with this. My wife has a Facebook account, so I may just have her look into it more.

Do you know how to figure out where the local chapters are around us? I talked to my wife and we are both going to join up and support this effort. I just need to know who to make contact with so they can let us know about any upcoming missions.

 

[spyderflyer]

sign us up

let do it spyderflyer:thumbup:

 

[Desert Spyder]

What a time for the national web page to be down. I went to the SouCal page but you have to register at the national page first. This is an excellent use of our machines and community peeps. We can't carry an M16 (and with arthur-itis, I no wanna.), but I can twist a mean throttle. Can we have a rally call on this?

 

[jenrldcm]

I am priviledged to be a part of the PGR. I can't make many missions due to work but it is an honor to be part of the one's that I do. I regret that I myself was never in the service of our country before and am now a little to old for them to even consider me joining so this is a way for me now to be a part. What an honor.

 

[SpyderWolf]

What a time for the national web page to be down. I went to the SouCal page but you have to register at the national page first. This is an excellent use of our machines and community peeps. We can't carry an M16 (and with arthur-itis, I no wanna.), but I can twist a mean throttle. Can we have a rally call on this?

I was looking at a very nice Sig Sauer .223 yesterday. I do believe we could find a way to mount one of these on your Spyder if necessary.

My wife and I will join up as soon as we are able to. :2thumbs:

 

[Desert Spyder]

I was looking at a very nice Sig Sauer .223 yesterday. I do believe we could find a way to mount one of these on your Spyder if necessary.

My wife and I will join up as soon as we are able to. :2thumbs:

Cool! That would give our B'mer cousins something to think about next time they tailgate or flip us off.

 

[vt228]

I belong to Patriot Guard here in Massachusetts and you don't need to be retired you go and help when you got time to do it and I ryde alot dune 39 honer runs for men and women who gave all and some who died after they retired from service ww1 ww2 nam vets and Iraq anyone who served in the army navy air force Marines we stand for them all ...so go on line jone the P/G

 

[vt228]