Who Are the Patriot Guard Riders?

Who are the Patriot Guard Riders? As they gain more and more media attention here in the United States some confusion arises as to what their purpose is. I hope to clarify that and do away with some misconceptions about this group of Americans.

Around two years ago a group began protesting at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq. They call themselves the Westboro Baptist Church and are from Kansas. All of the members of this church are related. They began showing up at funerals and carrying signs that were unbelievable in what they portrayed, saying things like "Thank God for Dead Soldiers", and that is one of the least offensive signs they carry at these soldiers funerals.

Five men belonging to the American Legion Riders motorcycle club heard about this. These men were Viet Nam vets who still recall very vividly they way they were treated when they returned home. When it looked like history may repeat itself with the Iraq Vets, these men said, "Never Again!" and the Patriot Guard Riders were born.

Some mistakenly think this is a counter-protest group. They are not. Their mission statement consists of two items:

1- To show RESPECT for our fallen heroes, their families and their communities.

and

2- To shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protester or group of protesters.

The most poignant thing you will ever see is a big tough biker decked out in all his leathers, standing with the Flag in his hand and tears streaming down his face for a young soldier who gave his all, and this biker never even knew the young soldier.

As of this writing, this "biker group" has grown from those five men to over 100,000 members. You don't have to ride a motorcycle, although most of them do, there are a lot of members that attend the PGR missions in a cage¹. The only requirement they have for membership is that you must show respect.