Consider Joining The Patriot Guard Riders

Updated September 11, 2024

 

The purpose of this page is to shamelessly promote The Patriot Guard Riders and try to convince you to join us. Volunteerism nationwide is in steep decline; from fire departments, ambulance services, Community Emergency Response Teams (C.E.R.T.), military recruiting, and all other civil organizations for a host of reasons. The P.G.R. is not immune. Our problem is older members are dying off with no new blood stepping up. I said to the CT group earlier this summer that we need to have the Westboro Baptist Church (info about these morons) or some other bunch of anti-American idiots come back to protest funerals to give the P.G.R. a renewed purpose.

 

Do you ride a motorcycle? Great! For me it gives me great purpose (as if I need one) to ride. You don't ride? Guess what, you don't need to. Cars and trucks are in escort processions as well, or you can ride with someone else to the flag line area. You do ride but don't have a Harley-Davidson? All brands of motorcycles (no scooters, mopeds, or e-bikes though) are welcome. There can be friendly ribbing over one brand or another all in good fun. Are you a veteran? Then you know what this shit means to have a flag line of volunteers standing silently at the services of a comrade, fellow veteran, or family member. Oh, you never served? No problem, you are welcomed in our ranks and will stand shoulder to shoulder with combat veterans that are happy to see you. Other members will show you what to do and what the different flag and facing commands are. Not a Conservative Republican? No one cares about your politics, only that you respect the flag and the traditions, but most of all utmost respect to the families. The P.G.R. is supposed to be "A-Political" and the subject of politics rarely comes up among members. If someone were to say something disagreeable, just walk away, don't start an argument. That would not be a good optic at a funeral. You are disabled and can't stand up for long periods of time or are in a wheelchair? No problem. Do what you can and fall out of line if you need to. Park that wheelchair in line with the rest of us and hold your flag proudly. Other members will be more than happy to assist you in getting around if needed. No time for membership meetings? No problem because there are none. Can't afford the dues? There aren't any of those either. Time is at a premium in your life? You sign up via email, and when a mission comes up in your area and you are available, you get an email alert and just show up at the staging area. No one, and I mean NO ONE will ever say, "Where were you last week?" or "Who the fuck are you?" I know, "funerals are grim, sad affairs" true... but they can also be looked at as a celebration of a hero's life and I always feel honored to be a part of it. Many times the military honor guard, dignitaries, and especially the families come over and go down the ENTIRE flag line to personally thank each member for being there for their loved one. Also, there are lots of other missions that are not funerals. Military send-offs and welcome home ceremonies, Honor Flight departures and arrivals, Wreaths Across America, Memorial Day graveside flag placement, escorting the moveable Vietnam Memorial Wall, and other events dealing with honoring those that serve or have served. This event was to stand a flag line at a veterans luncheon at the Westbrook Elks Club back in June 2024. I have been before (I took my veteran father-in-law last summer and we both enjoyed it) and was bummed I had to work that day this year. UPDATE: I did get to attend the Veteran's Luncheon at the Westbrook Elks on a beautiful, sunny, unseasonably warm day on November 2, 2024. At any event, we will do whatever is asked by organizers or families. I have been pall bearer, assisted with dignified transfer of remains, helped set up tents, tables and chairs, and as an EMT always keep a watchful eye on elderly or handicapped participants for any signs of medical stress or emergency. Most of the folks that regularly show up are retired and can make almost every mission and are happy to have something else to do. I now work 24 on and 48 off with the FD, so it has recently gotten easier for me to attend missions. On good days I take The Beast, on iffy or crummy days or in the winter I will take my truck. Some of the missions are multiple parts over a few days. In the evening during calling hours at the funeral home, we might be asked to stand a flag line to greet the arriving mourners. That's easy to do after work. Other missions may include flag lines at the church and the cemetery over the next couple of days.

Therefore, there is really no good excuse not to join us.

 

Use the contact form on the sidebar for any questions that I may be able to answer for you.