Wind chills of well below zero were forecast for the day of Cpl. Steven Daniel Shannon's wake last Thursday afternoon. That didn't stop the Patriot Guard Riders from standing guard outside the funeral home. As I waited in line to enter the building, I watched these tall burly men in their leather jackets lining the sidewalk, holding the Flag with pride. Their exposed cheeks were turning red with the bitter cold but they didn't flinch. These bikers joined the motorcade as it traveled from the airport through a nearby town and helped the military and police escort our young fallen hero home to his final resting place. Now they stood outside in the freezing wind, heads held high - protecting our freedom in their own way.
Their motto is "Patriot Guard Riders. Standing For Those Who Stood For US."
They attend the wakes and funerals of our fallen soldiers only when invited to do so by the soldier's family. They come to show support and respect but most importantly - to protect the memories of the grieving family from the misguided religious zealot Reverend Fred Phelps and his handful of followers of the Westboro Baptist Church or WBC.
Reverend Phelps runs a website and a church that thrives on hatred. He and his followers began attending the funerals of our fallen soldiers stating God is killing our soldiers because America condones homosexuality. They carry signs thanking God for IEDs (the explosive devices most often killing our soldiers) and jeer at grieving family members. Let me warn you - it is a disturbing website. As a Christian, even as a human being, I cannot fathom this man's beliefs.
In 2005, the American Legion Riders Chapter 136 from Kansas formed the initial group, which turned into what is today called The Patriot Guard Riders. They began attending the funerals and wakes, always as invited guests of the fallen soldier's family to counter the protests of the WBC. Although the WBC denies that the presence of the bikers deters them, they are attending less funerals. Where they have attended, the Patriot Guard Riders have been able to prevent them from disrupting the funeral proceedings.
How can I, as a mother of a soldier, ever thank these men enough? These proud Americans leave their homes and families and travel across the United States to show their respect for the men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They honor their memory and protect their families as another young hero is laid to rest.
My twenty-one-year-old son, Dan still serves in Iraq. My neighbor's twenty-one-year-old son, Stephen died in Iraq on January 31, 2007 and was buried here in our home town of Guttenberg on Friday, February 9, 2007.
I cannot imagine trying to cope with the loss and funeral of my loved one under such circumstances, and have the WBC turn up to destroy the memory with their hatred and bitterness.
I pray I'll never have to call on the Patriot Guard Riders, but I'm so thankful they are there for every soldier's family who needs them.
In my eyes, these bikers are American Heroes. I doubt they would agree, but my faith in our great country was bolstered to see them standing there the other day for hours and hours, protecting Stephen and his family. They also attended the funeral service the following day.
Thank you, Patriot Guard Riders.
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