sputnik Posted June 17, 2007 Share Posted June 17, 2007 Last Tuesday, I had the privilege to ride in a motorcycle funeral escort for a soldier killed in action in Iraq. The Patriot Guard Riders is a national group of motorcyclists (mostly Harley riders) that provide a motorcycle funeral escort for military funerals with the family's consent. Anyone riding anything can join them in these escorts - a college kid even showed up on a mountain bike. According to their mission statement, you don't have to be a vet and it doesn't matter what you ride, what your politics are, or whether you're for or against the war - all that is required is respect. Some of the member riders rode in from over 300 miles away to do this. A few riders will escort the hearse from the airport and then from funeral home to the funeral service where they and the rest of the riders then stand in a flag line during the service. Following the service all of the riders follow immediately behind the hearse and family limousines. There were about forty bikes lined up and you could see that the family truely appreciated this support as they passed. Harleys do provide quite an impact in large numbers. I was amazed at the turnout along the route to the cemetery. There were probably over a thousand people lined along the entire four mile route through downtown holding flags or saluting or holding their hands over hearts. The fire department placed engines along the route with huge flags draped from the ladder racks. I was quite struck by the facial expressions of all those watching the procession - a genuine look of compassion while fighting back tears. It was a shared expression regardless of any type of labels we use to divide ourselves. Drivers who had been held up for quite some time to allow the procession to pass even got out of their cars to stand as we passed. There is usually a van providing hot meals for the homeless parked outside the Main Street entrance to the park that leads into the cemetery. The van and usual group of people were there as we passed and they were all standing with flags too. Seeing this magnitude of a united display of support, we were all pretty choked up by the time we got to the cemetery. At the graveside service we held flags in a circle around those gathered. It was just one morning out of my life and I'll never forget that ride. If you have a bike and ever get the chance to join such a ride by all means do it. I think we all say we support the troops regardless of political convictions and our feelings about the war - this is a chance to show it, in a meaningful way, for the families of those killed in action. Here is a link to the group,http://www.patriotguard.org/ From our local paper: Were it not for the subdued mood along the funeral procession route for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins, the scene on some Bozeman sidewalks Tuesday might have been mistaken for a Fourth of July crowd. A member of the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y., Atkins was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He died trying to detain a suspicious Iraqi citizen who detonated a bomb attached to his vest, according to the Army. Family and friends said his action likely saved other lives. Atkins had already survived two roadside bombs before his death. American flags of varying sizes fluttered in the light breeze. Observers wore star-spangled shirts, or red, white and blue. Children, not grasping the solemnity of the occasion, chased after one another, shrieking and laughing. But the moment the first funeral procession vehicles came into view, the crowd fell silent. In front of the Bozeman Public Library, observers stepped a few feet closer to the street, some waved their flags slightly, others stood still. Many placed their hands over their hearts. Drivers and passengers in the procession, which traveled from Resurrection Catholic Parish on South 11th Avenue to Sunset Hills Cemetery where Atkins was buried, had affixed flags to their vehicles or held them out car windows. Some saluted the crowds along the street. Others simply smiled or wiped their eyes. As the procession passed, some observers were moved to tears. It's pretty emotional, Amy Whittle of Bozeman said, choking up as she stood on South 11th near the church. She wore red and white, and held a large flag and a small Army banner. Whittle's husband, Matt, is a member of the Army Reserves, so she wanted to show her support for the Atkins family, she said. Her husband has not been sent abroad to serve in any current conflicts, but she has a relative serving in Iraq. Accompanied by her 3-year-old daughter Clair, who was dressed in a flag outfit, Whittle said she was awfully grateful that we still have people who are willing to put themselves out there. Leslie Simpson traveled from Wilsall to Bozeman to let the Atkins (family) know we appreciate their sacrifice, and let the rest of the world know that freedom isn't free. Simpson and her husband, Charlie, stood near the church with the Patriot Guard Riders, a national grassroots group of motorcyclists who escort military funeral processions to honor the fallen and provide a buffer between mourners and protesters. No protesters showed up, although a Kansas-based church had announced it planned a demonstration at the funeral, saying the Iraq war was a result of the country's tolerance of homosexuality. About 40 Patriot Guard Riders joined the watch Tuesday, assistant state captain Brad Volk of Bozeman said. Very few chances in life (do) you get to stand up for a truly good cause, Charles Tewalt, an Army infantry vet from Iraq, said as he stood with the motorcyclists. And this is one of those few truly good causes. Tewalt, a Bozeman motorcycle rider but not a member of the Patriot Guard, said he appreciated that the event also honored Atkins' family. They're really the heroes, he said, the family that gets stuck behind. Martha Aveson of Belgrade and Wanda Merchant of Bozeman gathered farther north on South 11th. They reflected on the good turnout of supporters, but said they hoped no more soldiers would be killed in the war. I've never done this before, said Aveson, whose husband was a military reservist in his younger days. I hope I never have to do it again. Here is the line line of bikes parked outside the church before the funeral service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 There was no BS about what you ride. I even found a place to put a flag on my little Ducati. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 The riders escorting the hearse to the church service. Other people just seemed to show up to hold flags with the riders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 Looking up and down the line of bikes just before the hearse left the church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted June 17, 2007 Author Share Posted June 17, 2007 This is a cool bunch of dudes. I stopped taking pictures when the hearse emerged from the church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators dtel's wife Posted June 18, 2007 Moderators Share Posted June 18, 2007 That is a great service you guys are providing. Your dedication should make any family proud. I was particularly moved by your comparison to a "parade". Every returning soldier deserves a "parade". Sputnik, you make us proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfandbark Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 And to think in some parts of our good 'ol U.S.A. we have protesters show up at funerals for those that have served and died for their country. One more reason to love Montana! Nice Ducati, by the way...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbuckster Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Way to go Sputnik................No matter what one's opinion of the Iraq War, it's the little guys who die.......A very nice gesture..indeed... The 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York, has taken many hits............Stand Tall, Gentlemen........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 This is a cool bunch of dudes. I stopped taking pictures when the hearse emerged from the church. As a professional photographer, I must thank you for that respectful action. I feel strongly that there are moments in time that must stand on their own, with no particular photographic record of their occurence. In any of the weddings that I photographed, I always put the camera down during communion. I figured it was a personal moment between people and their savior and didn't need to be observed by a camera. Good work, and nice write up. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Sputnik, This had not been on my radar screen. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me Loves Khorns Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Very nice writeup. I have read in the news about you guys blocking out the noise of protesters in some locales. Cannot imagine what type of person would be having a protest at a funeral. Politics at that point just don''t matter... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sputnik Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share Posted June 18, 2007 Very nice writeup. I have read in the news about you guys blocking out the noise of protesters in some locales. Cannot imagine what type of person would be having a protest at a funeral. Politics at that point just don''t matter... Paul I'm not a member of the Patriot Guard Riders yet, but I'll be joining. From what I've learned, the military funeral protests are staged primarily by a bizarre family/fringe group out of Kansas calling themselves the Westboro Babtist Church. Go to youtube and search "most hated family in the U.S." Among other twisted beliefs, they have an anti-gay agenda and they protest gay tolerance in the military at soldiers funerals saying it's divine punishment. They also protested during the trial of the pair that tortured and murdered Mathew Shepherd in Wyoming a few years back. They made an anouncement that they were going to be here but never showed. Enough about them, they just were trying to attract attention to themselves. Montana, like most other states, has laws to provide a buffer between protesters and funeral services but there is a distance limit like 1,500 or 2,500 feet. The riders are there to provide a screen. The end result was that we learned about the Patriot Guard Riders and maybe more people showed up to line the streets to support the Atkins family. I know there are several members of this forum that ride and thought it would be good to pass on the word. You don't need to own a motorcycle to join in with them at the funerals, just show up an hold a flag. Check out their web site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 My condolences to the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Travis Atkins. My appreciation to you Sputnik for your participation in honoring him. You do make us proud. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesboy Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Great thread. Brought tears to my eyes. I've got a nephew over there on his second tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilMays Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 Great thread. Brought tears to my eyes. I've got a nephew over there on his second tour. Same here. My cousin is 55 and a career guy and on his second tour. Just got to see him last weekend on Emerald Isle, NC before he ships back out for his last leg of the tour. Very nice write up Sputnik. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarheel Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I've thrown back a drink or two with Bluesboy's nephew and wish him well. He was wounded by shrapnel recently but not too seriously. Phil....wishing your cousin a safe tour and a speedy return home. These guys are really the best of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j-malotky Posted June 18, 2007 Share Posted June 18, 2007 I think I saw one of these parades a few weeks back. I was stopped at the light and all the bikes were crossing in front of me. At first, being in Milwaukee, I thought this was one of our usual Harley get togethers, but I thought it was odd that the line was probably 3-4 miles long. It also puzzled me to see bikes other than Harleys?? You never see that here in Milw as there is a pretty big prejudice since this is HDs home town. Then there was a Hearse and a few limos at the end. It was very impressive. I had no idea they were doing this. Thanks for brining it to our attention. I'll make sure to let others know. JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckeye_Nut Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Last Tuesday, I had the privilege to ride in a motorcycle funeral escort for a soldier killed in action in Iraq. The Patriot Guard Riders is a national group of motorcyclists (mostly Harley riders) that provide a motorcycle funeral escort for military funerals with the family's consent. Kudos to you and those who mobilize to show their support for our fighting men and women............... and to serve as a counter balance to the disgraceful kook protesters. I have a ton of respect for the Patriot Guard Riders and for what they do. It's good to see that there are still some good people out there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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