Patriot Guard looking to expand in Bootheel

Standing for those who stood for us. That is the primary motto of the nationwide organization, Patriot Guard Riders. The group was founded in 2005. Its members are motorcycle riders, enthusiasts and others who form an honor guard at military funeral services and burials, to help show respect for fallen heroes, their families and communities, and to protect mourners and communities from harassment by potential protestors. They, along with other veterans' groups, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), also help fill out the ranks at the burials of indigent and homeless veterans. While the Patriot Guard has spread to all 50 U.S. states since its inception, area riders are reaching out to communities within the Missouri Bootheel, to spread the word about their services.

Southeast Missouri Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard, Scott D. Harding, is part of that process. "We have strong feelings that our veterans down here in the 'extreme' Bootheel are not (always) getting the respect and honor they so richly deserve, as they go on their final mission," he said. Harding explained that the region is virtually the only one in southeast Missouri without a routine Patriot Guard presence. He said he can recall having participated in only a couple of funerals in Malden, Mo., and one near Kennett, in the past two or three years. He said riders are more active in communities such as Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, New Madrid, Dexter, Jackson, Farmington and Poplar Bluff, Mo., and, most particularly, in Jefferson City, Kansas City, and St. Louis, Mo. In fact, in the St. Louis area, Harding said eight to 10 riding groups form a Patriot Guard chapter that participates in as many as three to five events, per week. Neighboring states also have regular Patriot Guard assignments, including northeast Arkansas, western Tennessee, southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

The way Patriot Guard works is through a network of motorcycle riding clubs that gathers together from neighboring areas, to attend services. They learn of the assignments via a bulletin board on the Patriot Guard website, www.patriotguard.org. Ride captains then send out e-mail blasts to their electronic subscriber lists. Harding says his list includes about 60 names, of Patriot Guard riders and other interested parties. Riding groups that Harding partners with include the Christian Motorcycle Association, of Poplar Bluff, The United Veterans of America Riding Club, of West Plains, Mo., the War Child Riding Club, of Cape Girardeau, as well as assorted American Legion and VFW riding groups. He explained that a typical weekday service might feature five Patriot Guard riders, while a weekend service might include 15-20 riders. Harding said that, oftentimes, Patriot Guard riders are seen as "just a bunch of motorcycle gangs," explaining that, in truth, that couldn't be further from the case. The Patriot Guard is actually 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.

A group of southeast Missouri Patriot Guard riders and ride captains met recently in Farmington, Mo., to strategize different ways of getting their message out. That strategy will include introducing themselves to area funeral home directors and nursing home administrators. While spokespersons for local funeral homes, such as McDaniel's Funeral Home and Bradshaw Funeral Home, in Kennett, indicated they have not yet been contacted by Patriot Guard, they said they would certainly be open to hearing the group's introduction and key messages at any time.

Patriot Guard members may only attend a funeral and/or burial service at the invitation of the family or a funeral or nursing home agent, acting on behalf of the family. Upon arrival at a service, riders park their motorcyles 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 entrance of the service. The honor guard features many American flags, and a military service flag, depending upon in which branch the deceased served. The set of service flags includes banners for the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, as well as a POW-MIA flag. Once at the gravesite, the Patriot Guard is called to attention, as the casket exits the hearse. Riders who are military veterans then salute, as the casket passes. (Civilian riders hold their hand over their heart.) The Patriot Guard then stands at attention during the graveside service. The Ride Captain also presents the family with a commemorative Patriot Guard coin.

Harding, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, said that when he leads an assignment, 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 riders, however, sport assorted Patriot Guard patches or emblems on their motorcyle wear, or stickers 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 first-emergency 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.

The Patriot Guard was founded nine years ago, to shelter and protect a grieving military family, after protestors from the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas gathered at the funeral to protest, claiming the deaths of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan were divine retribution for American tolerance of homosexuality.

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