Like a Rock…The Patriot Guard Riders

Sometimes you just need a shove, this is a post that is long overdue. I think fear kept me from writing this…fear of not being able to do the subject justice. Fear of feeling uncomfortable…fear of failure. I dunno maybe a little of both.

Then I saw this video and knew that the right time is right now. Do me a favor and let it play while you read this.

Back in April I wrote a blog post about Hate, some of you may recall it. The NH Blog post itself took on a life of it’s own and exposed me to a whole world that I had no clue existed. The Patriot Guard Riders.

I found out that my little town of Hampstead NH had members that belonged to the Patriot Guard Riders and one of them a woman even documents and takes photographs of the mission rides. This is not a group of guys and gals who are out simply to have fun and ride wildly on their motorcycles.

These are people from all walks of life, many who volunteer their time and take days off from work -unpaid to Stand Tall and be a Rock when we need them.

Some of them may look a little on the wild side but all of them care deeply about doing the right thing…honoring our fallen heroes and protecting their families from further pain.

I didn’t know it then but they act as a human shield during funerals protecting the families from the evil of the protesters. I learned that in my town of Hampstead New Hampshire there were people who were going to make sure that the family of our fallen hero and the mourners were not to be touched by the evil of the protesters. They would be shielded from the ugly reality of this hate.

I learned that day that the Freedom a local boy had fought and died to preserve gave someone else the right to protest and spew hateful things even while his funeral was being held a few feet away.

I watched as the protesters were protected…albeit with great distaste by local law officials. After all…They had a right!

He died so they could have the right to be heard and seen.

My god that tore me apart!

I learned that day what being Patriotic really meant and it was not just waving a flag on the 4th of July or planting flowers on Veterans day.

It is something much deeper and more powerful than can be imagined.

It is the core of some people, it is unshakable…strong and quiet like a Rock.

It makes them stand in the rain, snow and wind enduring the elements while tightly holding a flag. Solid steady like a Rock for hours protecting people that in many cases they don’t even know. They stand there listening to hate filled protesters who carry ugly messages on signs…they listen and look and remain calm like a Rock.

I wrote that day… feeling all the raw emotion of a life shattered and a new awareness of just how ugly people can be. I wrote about a man who came out of nowhere and held a flag…I called him gruffy.

I wrote about how his actions changed the mood of the day on my little street corner. How he rallied the crowd and showed them how to stare the bad guys down.

I’ve learned so much since then about the group of bikers that showed up on that rainy day. Many of them Viet Nam vets, some who came from far away and some from the next street over. Many of them did not know Captain Grassbaugh and that didn’t matter…they were on a mission!

I watched from the safety of my window inside my real estate office as they rode by on the way to church.

They had flags on their bikes…they were called the Patriot Guard Riders, and they showed me the true meaning of word Patriotic!

Like a Rock they stood together holding their flags…OUR flag proudly.

A group of Bikers, that name alone might make some shutter but really they are your neighbors and I found out that some of them are mine.

They are no different than most folks but when the going gets tough and someone needs to be a Rock..shielding grieving families, rain or shine they band together and do it quietly without fan fare…without pay.

I had never heard of them. Have you?

They say on their webs site that Freedom isn’t Free but their membership is.

You don’t need to ride a bike to be PGR member. Please take a moment and visit their website it will change your attitude…perhaps forever about Bikers.

A little History about the Patriot Guard Riders

It all started back in early August of 2005 when a group of American Legion Riders from Kansas heard that a “fallen hero’s memory was being tarnished by misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals” and they decided to do something about it.

The Patriot Guard Riders were born.

They came from all walks of life…male, female, long hair, short hair, clean shaven, a weekend stubble or full grown beard, some wore denim and chaps others polyester…no matter what they looked liked…they had one thing in common. They were Patriotic and they cared deeply.

I’d like to say that the rest is history but I know firsthand that the PGR is still relatively unknown and while what they do is so greatly appreciated…the word still needs to be spread.

I think what they have accomplished in a few short years is remarkable.

Currently the PGR memberships stands over 100,000 members strong and from reading a message by Jeff Lockhart on their website I get the feeling that they think the battle has just begun. They still feel helpless…

The statement below are the words of Jeff Lockhart, taken from the PGR website with his permission.

“100,000 strong… and still feeling helpless…”

“The statement above is what I would really like to title this collection of thoughts. Why? Because it’s the first phrase that comes to mind that truly describes who we are – and what we are.

You see, the PGR was founded with the idea of helping the family of a fallen soldier – a hero. Help them get through their grief in peace and surround them with the love and support of a nation that cares about them – and the memory of a hero. The PGR started by focusing on soldiers who were killed in action – but it wasn’t enough. Our membership saw the need to show a veteran who had passed that the PGR cared and loved them as well. In the same vein, the PGR took on the services of first responders – police, and firefighters. Finally… we were doing all we could.

Wrong. Help On the Homefront was established to deliver aid and assistance to troops and their families who were experiencing hardships due to injuries received. Now we’re good to go. Nope. The Fallen Warrior Scholarship fund was created for children of fallen heroes to pursue their dreams of higher education.

Is it ever enough? No… it isn’t. Thus you see the logic of my statement “100,000 strong… and still feeling helpless…”

The PGR rapidly grew in membership because it made sense – it was logical – it was sincere. To this day, these same values drive our mission and our efforts. What makes the PGR such a beautiful organization is the over 100,000 members who all share the same sentiment and ask the same question: “What else can I do?”

What else can I do? What else can I do to honor a man or woman who committed all that they are in this world to serve this country? What else can I do to preserve the honor and memory of a soldier who paid the ultimate price and gave the last full measure of themselves? What else can I do to make sure that they all know I care – it matters… they matter… they truly are special people… heroes to me. ” Jeff Lockhart 2007

I personally know that the PGR do good deeds, so many of them and yet they ask what else can I do? For me that rainy day in April they made a big difference. I’m sure that they made a difference for the family of Captain Grassbaugh and all the other fallen heroes they have protected. What a mission…may god bless them all!

Like a Rock…Jeff’s words can be thrown right back at them…they truly are special people… heroes to me. Patriot Guard Riders…like A Rock!
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