| Author | Message | ||
     Barker |
Older news story, but its an evergreen message. One of a few positive news stories for motorcyclists. Look closely and you will see two fellow BabWeb riders. The guy they interviewed is "Watrousmark" and a few quick shots of myself in the video. http://www.wkrn.com/nashville/news/patriot-guard-s upports-fallen-heroes-families/60079.htm "Patriot Guard Supports Fallen Heroes' Families" About two dozen patriot guard riders braved the cold rainy weather Thursday morning to stand in line in front of a Clarksville funeral home for Staff Sergeant Joseph Gage. Sgt. Gage was killed near Baghdad on November 2 when a bomb exploded near his humvee . Patriot Guard Rider Captain Mark Watrous said, “We do it because the man inside that building was willing to go anywhere in the world to keep us safe and to keep this country going. That's why we are here.” The Patriot Guard Riders mission is to show respect to our fallen heroes like Sgt. Gage and to shield mourning families from any protestors. The Westboro Baptist Church, who has protested funerals at Fort Campbell, posted plans on their website to protest Sgt. Gage's funeral. “We only show up at funerals when the families invited us and basically refer to the protestors as uninvited guest,” said Watrous. Thankfully, no uninvited guest showed up to protest the funeral. “Every American has the right to protest to speak freely; we just felt that it was wrong to do it at a military funeral. This is the family’s time. This isn't public; this isn't the proper place for them to be protesting,” said Watrous. TheCommanding General of the 101st Airborne Division, Major General Scholesser attended the funeral and personally thanked the Patriot Guard Riders for being there. “He appreciates what we are doing for him. Basically we do what he can’t do for his men by standing between the protestors and the families,” said Watrous. Once the funeral began Thursday, the Patriot Guard Riders stowed their flags and prepared for the funeral procession. “This is really gone beyond what the protestors do. This is turned into supporting the families. We found that the protestors are a really small part of what we do we found the familiesget some healing from us being here,” said Watrous. At the conclusion of the funeral, Staff Sgt. Gage's body was loaded into the hearse while his father waited on a motorcycle to lead the procession to the cemetery. For more on the Patriot Guard Riders, visit PatriotGuard.org . | ||
| Retired_cop |
As a PGR member, thanks for giving us the good word. We do what we do because of the sacrifice the military makes for our freedoms. Imagine this forum in the middle east or elsewhere????????? Again, thanks to all who serve, are serving, or are waiting to serve. Tim Young USN 1971-1977 CE1/SEAL |
