Patriot Guard looking to expand in SE Missouri

(SMNS) -- "Standing for those who stood for us" -- That is the motto of the nationwide organization, Patriot Guard Riders. The organization was founded in 2005 and is a mixed grouping of everyday people, including several motorcycle riders. Its dedicated members, who form an Honor Guard at military funeral services and burials, help show respect for fallen heroes, their families and communities, and serve to protect mourners and communities from harassment by potential protestors. They, along with other veteran groups such as the American Legion, VFW, and Legacy Vets, help fill out the ranks at the burials of indigent and homeless veterans, law enforcement, EMS and fire personnel.

"While the Patriot Guard has spread to all 50 U.S. states since its inception, our area riders are reaching out to communities within Southeast Missouri, to spread the word about their services," says Southeast Missouri Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard, Scott D. Harding.

"We have strong feelings that our veterans down here in Southeast Missouri are not always getting the respect and honor they so richly deserve as they go on their final mission," he added.

Harding explained that the region is virtually the only one in Missouri without a routine Patriot Guard presence. He said the Patriot Guard groups are much more active in communities such as St Louis, Farmington, Kansas City, Jefferson City. In the St. Louis area itself, there are sometimes as many as three to five funerals per week.

The Patriot Guard works through a gathering of members from the area, not necessarily all motorcycle riders, who attend local services for veterans.

"They learn of the assignments via a bulletin board on the Patriot Guard website, WWW.Patriotguard.Org," Harding explains. "Ride Captains can also send out e-mail messages to their electronic subscriber lists."

Harding says his list includes about 75 names of Patriot Guard Riders and other interested members. Riding clubs that Harding partners with include the Christian Motorcycle Association, The Legacy Vets, Freedom the Road Riders all from the Poplar Bluff area, the Regulators, the War Child Riding Club, both of Cape Girardeau, as well as assorted American Legion Riders and VFW riders from a nine-county areas.

Harding explains that a typical weekday service might feature five or less Patriot Guard members, while a weekend service might include 15-20 riders.

Harding says that often Patriot Guard riders are seen as "just a bunch of motorcycle gang members," but notes, "In truth, that couldn't be further from the case. The Patriot Guard is open to anyone, regardless of political affiliation or veteran status, as long as they have a deep respect for those who serve our country, as stated in the group's literature. The word "gang" is nowhere in the PGR language."

Patriot Guard members may only attend a funeral and/or burial service at the invitation of the family or the funeral home acting as the agent on behalf of the family. Upon arrival at a service, those on motorcycles park them in an area from where they can fall into the procession line-up to the gravesite, directly behind the hearse. They then form an Honor Guard flag line, leading to the doorway of the funeral home. The Honor Guard features many American flags, and a military service flag that of the particular branch to which the fallen hero belonged.

The set of service flags includes the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as a POW-MIA flag. Upon departure from the funeral home, the Guard is called to attention, and once the casket is secured inside the hearse, the members "mount up", assuming their position behind the hearse. Once at the gravesite, the Patriot Guard is called to attention once again, as the casket exits the hearse. Members who are military veterans then salute as the casket passes. Civilians hold their hand over their heart.

The Patriot Guard then stands at attention during the graveside service. At the conclusion of the ritual flag folding, the Ride Captain presents the family with a commemorative Patriot Guard coin.

Harding, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, said that when he leads a mission, he usually arrives at the funeral facility an hour or so early, to introduce himself to the funeral director, explain the group's mission and share Patriot Guard informational brochures. He then sets up a static flag display to enhance the flags being held by the riders themselves. There are no official Patriot Guard uniforms. Harding says most of the riders, however, sport assorted Patriot Guard patches or emblems on their motorcycle wear, along with stickers or small banners on their bikes.

Harding said the Patriot Guard doesn't just offer service to fallen military heroes and their families, but to police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders as well. He said area riders also participate in community events, such as the annual Memorial Day and Veteran's Day ceremonies at the State Veteran's Cemetery, in Bloomfield, Mo.

When in the Patriot Guard, there are no meetings, no dues, only requiring the display of proper respect and honor for our country's fallen heroes.

To learn more about Patriot Guard activity in the Bootheel, or to join the organization, contact Scott Harding, Sr. at 708-415-6411.