Honoring veterans is the ultimate goal

In 2014, I wrote an article for the Enterprise about the Christian Motorcyclists Association, explaining the merits of the organization and how much I enjoyed being part of a local chapter. Today, I rode with another wonderful organization I belong to that is known as the Patriot Guard Riders of America.
    These bikers have a goal different than the CMA — where the CMA guys and gals serve to spread the gospel to motorcyclists (and inmates as part of the organization’s prison ministry), the PGR seeks to ensure funerals or memorial services for this country’s military veterans are conducted honorably and with dignity.
    Ironically, there are those in our country who do not honor our men and women in uniform and, disgracefully, they also show up at a veteran’s funeral and interrupt the service. There was, in fact, a pastor who for years led horrible protests at family services for a slain veteran. Thankfully, he is no longer with us (no one protested his passing), but there is a wonderful organization that was formed to ensure that funerals and memorials for veterans are conducted without embarrassing interruptions.
    From the PGR website, we learn, “The Patriot Guard Riders is a 100 percent volunteer, nonprofit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring fallen military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans. The PGR has an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security.” Members of the PGR can be motorcyclists or drive “cages” (cars or trucks); they can be conservative or liberal; they can be of any faith. Many are vets, but that is not required. All they need in common is a desire to respect military men and women and their families in a time of sorrow.
    One would never ascertain that these men and women are patriotic and dedicated to the sanctity of a proper memorial service for veterans by looking at them. Like CMA riders, you might be taken aback by long hair, beards, some tattoos, leather pants and interesting patches on vests — but underneath the scary looks are wonderful Americans who dedicate their time to honoring our fallen warriors.
  

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