Motorcyclists Roll to Soldier Funerals

Got this off another forum. It's appauling. Shows some of the "extremists" in the country. I just can't believe the thinking of some people these days :headshake FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters. They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals. Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs — explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq. The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags. "The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement." At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers. The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them. "This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms." Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kan.-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals. "The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral." The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members. During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project. The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard. "I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps." Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members. Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier. "No one deserves this," he said. original link here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_re_us/funeral_motorcyclists) Cheers to the Patriot Guard Riders :clap: :cheers:

wow, that is extreme.

wow, that is extreme. +1 damnn :headscrat

thats some crazy shit! i cant beliece people protest at someone funeral, how fuckin disrepectful that is! :2hard :thumbup: to the Patriot Gaurds!

This guy is just as crazy as some of them are! bullets kill people, not their sexual orientation...

This guy is just as crazy as some of them are! bullets kill people, not their sexual orientation... +1

This really pissed me off. CNN: Dodge City showdown at funeral (http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/03/06/btsc.lavandrera.funerals/index.html) There is a video link inside as well. I say that we deports these ignorant fucks to Afghanistan to remind them of the freedoms that they take for granted.

I would love to see an IED explode in the midst of the Phelps family. That would be divine smoting according to their twisted dogma.

I would love to see an IED explode in the midst of the Phelps family. That would be divine smoting according to their twisted dogma. +1

I would love to see an IED explode in the midst of the Phelps family. That would be divine smoting according to their twisted dogma. couldnt agree more. fuck those assholes. :2hard

You should not be allowed to protest at funerals. Have respect for the dead and their families! These soldiers go to war and die for our country only to come home and have some wacks protest at their funerals ... no respect. Peacefully gather somewhere else to make your point please.

You should not be allowed to protest at funerals. Have respect for the dead and their families! These soldiers go to war and die for our country only to come home and have some wacks protest at their funerals ... no respect. Peacefully gather somewhere else to make your point please. I too agree that those protests are morally wrong. The Phelps family has made it perfectally clear that they have no tact. On the same note, I am glad that the Phelps family has the freedom to say what they want. That is the true beauty of America. Hopefully karma will come full circle to the Phelps family and they will suffer horrible deaths one-by-one. That way people can protest at their funerals. I hope for the old man to perish last and watch the erosion of his family. I would also like to see bird seed spread on their graves so that birds shit on them.

I too agree that those protests are morally wrong. The Phelps family has made it perfectally clear that they have no tact. On the same note, I am glad that the Phelps family has the freedom to say what they want. That is the true beauty of America. Hopefully karma will come full circle to the Phelps family and they will suffer horrible deaths one-by-one. That way people can protest at their funerals. I hope for the old man to perish last and watch the erosion of his family. I would also like to see bird seed spread on their graves so that birds shit on them. oh that would be poetic justice right there... When that old man dies, a shit load of people come to his funeral to protest. Haha...serves him right.

oh that would be poetic justice right there... When that old man dies, a shit load of people come to his funeral to protest. Haha...serves him right. No, I want noone to go to the old man's funeral. Let him fade to obscurity. :thumbup: I'm thinking a Father McKenzie style funeral for Eleanore Rigby.

http://www.patriotguard.org/Home/tabid/53/Default.aspx here is the link to the patriot gaurd website, it is asham that we have to an protect familys that have lost brothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and mothers from people that are useing the freedom that these soldiers died for :headscrat

I don't think discracing the dead is a freedom anyones died for. You even treat your enemies graves with respect don't ya? Its not right, and it needs to stop. Throw em all in jail for unlawful assembly or something ... theres got to be a way to protect a families need to greave in peace.

I don't think discracing the dead is a freedom anyones died for. You even treat your enemies graves with respect don't ya? Its not right, and it needs to stop. Throw em all in jail for unlawful assembly or something ... theres got to be a way to protect a families need to greave in peace. +1

I live in that town!!It was in westminster Maryland..The assholes didnt even have a chance to disturb the family. At the last minute they changed the route for the funeral line and btought them in a different way...Then the bikers lined up in front of the demonstraters exchanged a few words and then TURNED their backs on them. IT WAS A CLASSIC FUCK YOU...Anyway they kept the protestors far enough away so the family colud not hear them and the Bikers created a wall so they could not see them either...Some peolpe have NO respect.....And to those people :2hard :2hard

I live in that town!!It was in westminster Maryland.. i work in taneytown....

I would love to see an IED explode in the midst of the Phelps family. That would be divine smoting according to their twisted dogma. +3

It is sad to hear in this day and age that protesters would take something so sacred such as a funeral to protest. That redefines disrespectful. You want to voice your opinion to the public, that's your right. But not like that. Prayers go out to all family and friends of fallen soldiers. They may have passed on but will be remembered by all!

and people WONDER why im atheist... :headscrat

its because of all the damn liberal democrat hippies. mofos want to hug the enemy. fuckers:fu: :fu: make sure u vote this coming elections cus if you dont have fun dealing with their bullshit for 4 years

:thumbup: To the Patriot Guard and all the Men and Women fighting 4 r fredom:clap:

I have seen Phelps on web vids before, he is one of the lowest forms of scum in this nation. But sure as shit we will protect his right to be a complete and total asshead, and this is fine with me. He may not deserve it, but that is why we are better than him.

I'm pretty surprised, I haven't heard of anyone attacking these lame excuses of a human. If I was at a funeral for say, a fallen brother/cousin/dad/friend. I really believe I would crazy on all their asses until someone pins me down. The kinda pain those people are going through, would just fuel so much adrenaline imo. I would have no problem going to jail for beating those types of people's asses. These people make me sick.

Its great that bikers stand up for the familys.

I have been a Patriot Guard Rider for almost a year now (7 funerals so far) and it is a very rewarding job respecting the fallen heroes when they come home and are put to rest. In AZ, there are only a hand full of sportbikers that are members, which is pretty cool as we really stand out during the funeral rides. You all should go to at least 1 ride/funeral service to show your respect and to feel proud of your country. www.patriotguard.org On the website you can watch the video of the Kansas preacher and his family protesting a funeral.

i'm a member on that site, but i haven't been to any rides cause they're usually so far away

Some times we ride 400 miles roundtrip for a funeral. Most of the time we stay the night wherever the funeral is going to be. The families also like for us to escort the body from the airport to the funeral home, as well. We have had 96 bikes at a funeral before, it's best in small towns when the whole town comes out to pay their respect. I'm telling you after your first one and you wipe away a tear you will be hooked on doing more.

You can bet your ass as soon as i get my new bike, ill be to everyone within riding distance....

You don't even have to ride a bike, we have a lot of cars & trucks that follow us and do their part during the funeral. If any one is interested in how to mount a flag to your bike I can send you some pictures of my mount. The cruisers have plenty of mounting locations, but us sportbikers have a terrible time trying to do the same. I use a rear footpeg, pvc pipe, hose clamps and a bungee cord.

From my point of view, the worst part is that us, Soldiers serve our country and put our lives on the line so A$$*&^$ like that have the freedom to disrespect us and the U.S. in that manner. Why I don't understand is, if they don't like our country and our way of life, why in hell they don't move to Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran or a similar country where they will not have the liberties they have here. I have been deployed a couple times there, and one of my cousins got killed in Iraq the day prior to thanksgiving day 2 years ago. I wish these people had been in the Twin Towers, or had have their love ones there to see then, how they will feel.

I agree 100% with you Supratoy... These people do not know how good they have it here. I did 2 tours myself, before I retired this year.

those jackass protesters were in Beaumont,Tx last month when a soldiers funeral came through

here in mich they called ahead to warn police they would be protest a local soldier funeral...to make a long story short they couldnt show up, so our local police dept. is suing them for all the$ spent on extra officers (security)that did show up-:thumbup: :clap:

Now that is a cool idea. Way to go MI. Police:thumbup:

there is a patriot gaurd in ct. My father is involved and i think that it is a great organization. On thier website it show the list of soldiers that have past away that have invited the patriot gaurd to attend and it is so depressing.

I too have been deployed twice. It amazes me at the ignorence that these people have. I'll tell you this much, Let the comi pricks show up to one of my soldiers or any or my brother or sister in arms funerals while im there. I can almost gurantee there isnt a jury anywhere that would convict me for the damage I would cause. To all my brothers and sisters that fallen and continue to serve today; "SAPPER HONOR SAPPER STEEL".

On the Home page they show the Confirmed rides/funerals and Upcoming rides/funerals. We have 2 coming up next week here in Phoenix. Some of the names on the watch list their families do not want us to attend and they have that right and we respect their decision. I think that when we do ride though, the family gets so much more out of it. They feel better when they see all these people who did not even know the fallen soldier and took time out of their busy schedules to attend the funeral. Here is AZ, I have not seen any protesters, maybe it's because we have an open carry handgun law. That probably scares them away:arsenal

From my point of view, the worst part is that us, Soldiers serve our country and put our lives on the line so A$$*&^$ like that have the freedom to disrespect us and the U.S. in that manner. Why I don't understand is, if they don't like our country and our way of life, why in hell they don't move to Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran or a similar country where they will not have the liberties they have here. I have been deployed a couple times there, and one of my cousins got killed in Iraq the day prior to thanksgiving day 2 years ago. I wish these people had been in the Twin Towers, or had have their love ones there to see then, how they will feel. YUP YUP. Just got back from my second tour and next year ill be heading right back for my third one.

good lord... I sure hope all those protestors go to hell...

We got some good snap in time on some the would be protester type....wish the rifle volley was with live ammo....:arsenal :arsenal :arsenal :arsenal

Fuck them...When we heard about the funeral protestors, it pissed us off. We're out here, away form our families, and they have the balls to do shit like that. once again, fuck them. Id like to see them last one minute in any of the guys in my platoons boots....On a happier note I come home on leave April 13th! Woooohoooo!

i just became a member of that site. I recently had a very close high school friend who was in the marines die. Killed by a roadside bomb. I will not be able to attend the funeral. Hopefully I can get in on some of these rides.