WarChild Riding Group
Sandy's Toddle Inn - Chaffee MO
Bikers Who Care – We Support:
Finding Cures – Saving Children
Free Spirit
Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement
Notice - The PGR store is open since the first of the new year.
Thank you for your patience.
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.
We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a "hawk" or a "dove". It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is. You don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.
1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.
Folks, this is not just important…
It’s what we do!
Join Us!
RD - SE Missouri Ride Captain
Stars & Stripes Museum
 This Dayin History |
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Over the last 139 years, millions of copies of The Stars and Stripes have been distributed throughout the world. And, it all began during the Civil War in the town of Bloomfield, located in southeast Missouri. It was here on November 9, 1861 that ten Illinois Union soldiers, using the vacated press of The Bloomfield Herald, published the first "Stars and Stripes" which they named after the American flag. One of the original copies of that 1861 paper is now owned by the Stoddard County Historical Society and to be put on loan with the museum. The Stars and Stripes flourished during each of the five major wars this country has fought. |
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During World War II, General George C. Marshall referred to The Stars and Stripes "as a symbol of the things we are fighting to preserve...free thought and free expression of a free people". Many famous people have been connected with The Stars and Stripes: Cartoonist Bill Mauldin; Andy Rooney and Steve Kroft of "Sixty Minutes" were former Striper's as was Harold K. Ross, founder of the New Yorker magazine. Grantland Rice, Ernie Pyle and other war correspondents have also contributed to the newspaper. Several former S & S staff members and various war veterans have donated personal letters, unpublished behind-the-scenes reports, back issues of The Stars and Stripes and other interesting war-related items to be displayed or filed as reference material. |
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All this history will be preserved. A Stars and Stripes Museum/Library with climate-controlled storage, handicapped accessibility, display and meeting rooms will be invaluable for research. The facility serves historians, students and writers, as well as the general public. |
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Patriot Guard Riders Impact the Community
BY TOM GANTERT
News Staff Reporter
Chelsea MI -- Protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church didn't make good on their promise to picket the funeral of Lance Cpl. Cliff Collinsworth of Chelsea, who was killed in Iraq 10 days ago.
But about 150 members of the Patriot Guard Riders showed up Monday on their motorcycles carrying American flags to honor the memory of fallen soldiers.
"What people? What people?'' Patriot Guard Larry Helser of Lansing said in the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home parking lot when he was asked about the Westboro group. "We don't recognize them. We are here to honor a young man. This is our only mission.''
Collinsworth was killed Oct. 21 during his second tour of duty in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near the Humvee he was riding in near Ramadi, his family members said.
Before the funeral, a man who identified himself as Collinsworth's grandfather to Patriot Guard Chuck Johnson said he wanted to personally thank the group for attending.
"It's an honor to have you here,'' the man told Johnson, who lives in Farwell. "Cliff would have been impressed.''
Johnson nodded. He said the Patriot Guard Riders help more than just the family.
"It helps bring healing to the community to let them know they are not standing alone,'' he said.
The Patriot Guards, mostly men and many Vietnam War veterans, lined the entrance to the funeral home, arriving from as far away as Bowling Green, Ohio. They say they only attend if invited.
Each member held an American flag on a large pole. The flags were originally used to shield families of fallen soldiers from protesters - but members said they believe the Patriot Guard is growing to become more than just a shield.
"We bring the flags to show patriotism,'' said Helser, of Lansing, who served in Vietnam. "When I came home, we didn't get any of this.''
As Collinsworth's friends and relatives walked into the funeral home, Johnson stopped talking to recognize two Marines entering.
"Semper fi!'' said Johnson, using the longtime Marine slogan, a Latin phrase that means "Always faithful.''
"Ooh-rah!'' the Marines called back.
Patriot Guard Carlo Fanelli, 43, of Shelby Township, said he joined the group after seeing Westboro Baptist Church protesters on the news. He said the group's efforts have grown beyond countering the protesters, saying they'll continue to honor fallen soldiers at funerals regardless of the Westboro Baptist Church's plans.
"If they stop protesting, we are not going to stop doing this,'' Fanelli said.
Today, members of the group will be in Lathrup Village for the funeral of a soldier who was killed with Collinsworth.
Johnson, 65, surveyed the line of his comrades Monday as they held flags for a soldier they had never met.
"Come here and look at these people,'' Johnson said. "These people are the heart of this country.
"And it is strong.
And it is beating loud.''