mlrc10

I'm very proud to be a PGR Ride Captain in Monroe La. We became involved with the PGR while our son was in Iraq . He rode the roads as a USMC MP ,doing convoy escorts .We figured out pretty quickly ,that we could be on the other side of the flag line . Thankfully he made home safely , but I think we both feel like we OWE our service in the PGR as sort of a penance .As far as I'm concerned there is no better organization for a biker to belong to.If your not a member , join ...it's free .All you need is RESPECT.Thanks to all our men and women in uniform , past and present .

drbillk

Was in MD PGR until transferred to Parris Island. Have tried hooking up with the SC PGR, but have not been successful.

wilks3

If you live close to O'Fallon Illinois there is a PGR Mission tomorrow, 03/12/11.
A1C Zachary Ryan Cuddeback gave his life serving his country.
Details can be found at the Illinois Patriot Guard website.
wilks3

__________________
Member of the Illinois Patriot Guard
"I see" said the blind man who could not hear...

robermv32

It is with pride that I relay the following. The New York State Senate today passed a bill that will limit the protest of Military Funerals in New York State. Finally someone is showing some guts..

Senate Passes Legislation to Limit Protests at Military Funerals 03/14/2011 - 5:53pm

Posted by Majority Press on Monday, March 14th, 2011

* Related committee: Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs [1]

* Homeland Security [2]
* Military Affairs [3]
* Veterans [4]

The New York State Senate today passed legislation (S.3901), sponsored by Senator Lee Zeldin (R,C,I- Shirley), that would limit protests at military funerals. Called “The Specialist Thomas Wilwerth Military Dignity Act,” the proposed law is named for an Iraq War Veteran who lost his life in combat in 2006.

The bill prohibits protests within 2,500 feet of military services, funerals, and processions of deceased service members unless the protest organizers post a bond to the local municipality to defray the increased security costs associated with demonstrations that occur closer to these funeral activities. Protestors would also not be permitted within 500 feet of funeral activities and would have to apply for a permit with the New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs under this measure.

“This past Saturday, I was proud to announce this legislation in my district,” Senator Zeldin said. “I am even more proud that this legislation will be named after one of our hometown heroes, Specialist Thomas Wilwerth. Today we are sending an important message to current and future Gold Star families that we are fighting to protect the dignity, respect and honor that their fallen military veteran deserves.

“This legislation takes into consideration the free speech rights of those who choose to protest military funerals with hateful rhetoric and tactics,” Senator Zeldin said. “We must balance that right with the need to protect our Gold Star families and allow them to peacefully mourn the loss of their military hero and loved one. With its passage today, I call upon the State Assembly to take action on this bill so we can deliver it to Governor Cuomo for his signature.”

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos said, “Senator Zeldin is keeping his commitment to get this legislation done, to protect the right of military families to bury their loved ones in peace. This bill protects that right while also protecting free speech rights. The bill would help ensure order, honor and discretion at these emotional events.”

Massachusetts has a similar law that enforces a buffer zone around funerals to prevent disruptions by protestors.

Senator Zeldin is currently a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. He was deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2006 with an infantry battalion of fellow paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division.

“I would like to issue a real challenge to the people who want to protest the funerals of our fallen heroes. Our soldiers fight at home and abroad for our freedoms. If the protestors can give me one reason why they should be protesting instead of kissing and thanking our heroes, then I’ll listen,” said Terry Wilwerth, Father of Specialist Thomas Wilwerth.

This legislation is part of a package of Veterans bills that was passed by the Senate today.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C- East Patchogue).


I understand Massachusetts has already adopted a similar law. If your state has yet to get with it, copy and paste this information to your legislators and hope for the best.

wilks3

This should be a Federal Law with all the power of Federal crimes and punishments.
NO plea bargining!!!
wilks3

__________________
Member of the Illinois Patriot Guard
"I see" said the blind man who could not hear...

FLST

Indiana PG here. Just joined up after reading about them on this site. Can't wait for my first trip with them.

__________________
Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties.

sharpscuba

Wilks3..I agree this should be nation wide...FLST..with all due respect, excitment for this DUTY and HONOR will change to a very somber time deep in ones heart. Tears will flow and for many, past memories will haunt their mind. Standing at their side as they enter the Kingdom of Heaven and grieving along with their family is what the PGR is about protecting. Thank you for your commitment and God Bless our soldiers for all that they sacrifice.

R_W_B

sharpscuba do you still get that heart felt feeling every time you hear a local Army Reserve Huey fly over? I can't explain how much better we felt with the choppers around. The only thing was when we were based with them, we got more rockets. But those Cav Warrant Officers that flew the Choppers were some brave fellers.

But nowadays I have often thought that when a Huey flys over (fewer of them left now) in their distintive blade sound, I can almost hear the heart beats of all the soldiers that did not make it back to the world.

You know many times after returning home I have felt the war is never over. People are just using different bullets. I sometimes wonder which are the more deadly. Thank God for our soldiers and thank God for the Patriot Guard.

joyflyin

Dave, thanks for sharing how you feel about your return home and even today. I spent a lot of time at air shows on a side job I used to do and I learned more about our history there than I ever did at school. I can talk to some vets and have tears in my eyes, but my most moving experience was at gun shows. My husband came across a M1 tanker model and we were trying to sell it. (Selling only because it had a feeding issue and he wanted to sell it to someone who wanted to fix it and shoot it ) I carried that around and could not believe how many veterans would want to stop and talk to me. I learned so much from them and it was like I went back with them as they told me stories. These guys would hold the gun and for a few seconds they wouldn't say a word. I would sit and talk with these guys as long as they would talk, never hurried off or anything, I'd just tell my husband that I would catch up. I knew these guys didn't want to buy the gun, but then again, I didn't really want to sell it either.

I told my husband that I didn't want to sell the gun because I enjoyed talking to all the heroes so much. I have met so many veterans that will say after I thank them that 'oh, I never saw any real action, the fighting was done by the time I got there'. My response is ALWAYS, ' That may be so, but you were willing.'

At a couple of air shows, there were some re-enactments of WWII and the Viet Nam war, (and yes, I call that a war), but I would watch it on the practice day, then usually the next 2 days, I would just sit back and close my eyes while listening to the narration. I don't know if it is because I have a pretty good imagination or that I like to read books more than watch tv, but I can just picture the story that was being told. At one show, the group from the Viet Nam era hooked me up with a ride in a huey on a practice run for one of there 'typical' runs into a hot zone to pick someone up. Boy was that moving for me. Sure, I knew that the 'gunfire' I heard wasn't going to 'hurt' me, and I knew that the guy we were loading into the chopper was going to get up and walk away when this was all done, but man, for me to get to experience that in that sense, and see how fast things happen, was somewhat surreal. I realize that in a simulated situation that you can't really experience what our heroes go through, but it made me a little more aware of how blessed I have been that I haven't had to experience this in real life.

I cannot thank you guys and gals enough for what you do to provide us the freedoms we enjoy today.

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bogiediver

wilks3-

Actually, there is a Federal law as well - must be a minimum of 150 feet away during the 1 hour before and the 1 hour after the funeral service.

The states that have their own are generally stricter than the Feds - which is a good thing...

I wish more would take NY's stance - 1/2 mile is much better than IL's 200 feet or WI's 500 feet...

Better than nothing, as long as you can get it enforced - there is sometimes hesitation since the group that does the protesting most is a family of lawyers, always the fear of being sued.

The PGR is the best defense - non-confrontational, simply stand with flags, backs to the UGs (uninvited guests), blocking the family's view so they don;t have to see them or their signs. If necessary, a few pipes a-roar to drown them out...

Just came back from an escort of a 22 year old, KIA. No Ugs, but still the right thing to do. Until you do your first, it's hard to understand the favorable impact the PGR has with the family.

Wanted to add - although called Patriot Guard Riders - it's not about riding, don't even need to have a bike - it's about Honor & Respect. It's about silently holding that flag outside the funeral home for hours as the family and friends of the fallen, KIA or Veteran, enter & depart; it's about being the only one graveside as a Veteran is laid to rest because they had no known family; it's about hugging the KIA's Mom with tears rolling down both your faces. Any escort or ride is secondary...