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 Salute Soldier His Family
A Hero's Farewell
By Shari Phiel
Berthoud Recorder
Longmont CO -- Hundreds of mourners gathered together at Lifebridge Christian Church in Longmont to bid a final farewell to Staff Sgt. Justin Bauer. Approximately 800 family members, friends, classmates, fellow soldiers along with many who had never had the opportunity to meet the remarkable young man filled the church pews to say goodbye.
The Berthoud native was killed on Jan. 10 in Iraq when an improvised explosive device exploded near the vehicle his was riding in. Bauer had returned to Iraq only recently to serve his second tour of duty.
Along with the mourners, around 100 Patriot Guard motorcycle riders quietly lined the church’s entryway, saluting the procession of family and Bauer’s casket as they passed through, led by police.
Standing in front of a display that included Bauer’s high school football jersey and firefighting gear, Army Chaplain P. Dudley Neal began the hour-long service with the invocation, calling Bauer “an utterly unique and significant human life.”
The service included a memorial slideshow, Bauer’s favorite songs including “I’m Coming Home” by Chris Daughtery, and comments from Major General Curtis
Scaparrotti, the Commanding General for the 82nd Airborne Division Bauer Served in.
Fellow paratrooper Captain Craig Arnold also offered his remembrances of Bauer, stating, “I would have followed that man anywhere.”
Following the service, a procession of 500 cars followed the Berthoud fire truck that carried Bauer’s casket as it wound through the streets of Berthoud. As the fire truck passed by with sirens roaring, hundreds lined Berthoud’s streets waving American flags of every size.
As the procession reached east Highway 56, dozens of cars lined both sides of the highway, most flying American flags, while mourners lined the road reaching as far as the entrance to Berthoud Cemetery.
Coming from Loveland, Longmont, Fort Collins and even Wyoming, many of those who lined the roads had never met Justin Bauer yet felt compelled to show their respects to this very special young man. Former Berthoud resident Doris Demoss now lives in Loveland was one of those who waited along the highway just to show her support. “We’re here because we also have a son in Iraq,” said Demoss, noting she feels it’s important for the soldiers to know they are loved and supported.
A large gathering of mourners circled around Bauer’s casket after it was led from the fire truck to the graveside. Chaplain Neal once again spoke, noting “we’ve come as far with Justin as we can.” It was the fire truck’s bells and the final radio call for the Berthoud firefighter that brought tears and sobs from Bauer’s family as well as the crowd.
Bauer’s cousin Mike Fohrd, a Colorado State Trooper, conducted a short eulogy and extended the condolences of Gov. Bill Ritter who was unable to attend the services. Fohrd then presented Bauer’s father, Greg, his widow Kari and his mother Connie Haddock with three flags that had been flown over the state capitol on the day Bauer was killed.
The service also included a 21-gun salute, followed by the playing of “Taps” and then a bagpipe rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Following the close of the service, the family remained behind to say goodbye in private.