21
Aug/2008

by xyzauto

Patriot Act My first Patriot Guard Mission a year or two ago March : Working at a retail Auto operation I don’t get much time off these days, so when my buddy suggested that we take that Friday and travel to Westminster Maryland, and it was going to be over 70 degrees – I was in! Tony a former Marine, and myself are avid motorcyclists, and we both own V Star motorcycles. When I asked why Maryland? – Tony went on to explain that we would join up with the Patriot Guard Riders Motorcycle Organization and that we would be attending the funeral of a twenty-year-old Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder who died while on duty in Iraq this week. Tony went on to explain that we would be needed to stand guard for the family of the deceased, because militant protestors were planning to disrupt the funeral ceremonies. I was a member of the Viet Nam Era, and vivid images of protests of the past began to crowd my memory. Although not a veteran myself I always had the utmost respect for those who sacrificed their lives so that the rest of us could live in peace. I couldn’t reconcile why anyone would bring further misery to a family of someone who had paid the supreme sacrifice. So I immediately agreed to the 150-mile journey from Doylestown Pa. to Westminster Maryland, on the morning of March 10, 2004. It was relatively warm and there was only a slight drizzle when we shoved off that morning at 5am. Tony took the lead and we headed down rte 611 to the Pa Turnpike and 476 South. After sunrise we pulled over and I switched from glasses to goggles for better protection from the sun and we proceeded on. Tony rides a full dress machine with a windshield and had two large American Flags strapped to the back of his bike. My machine is an 1100 Custom, which is chopped and has little in the way of extras, and no windshield. This caused some distress that day because I was being buffeted by 50 mph wind gusts and had to crouch low and forward to duck the airflow as we zipped along at 80 mph. In Delaware we met up with two more riders at a truck stop. After introductions the four of us headed down 95 in staggered formation, then took 695 West to 795 North and arrived at the staging area in Westminster at about 8:30 am. Initially we encountered about thirty bikers, but within an hour our group grew substantially. We were joined by a couple of trikes sporting large American flags, and a jeep or two. Soon a cotillion of State police bikers arrived and it was off to St. John’s Church a few miles away. We were about a hundred strong as we rode up to the church past the protesters. As we rounded the bend, I caught a glimpse of a poster that read “Faggot”, and wondered what type of misfits were protesting. We assembled in the church lot and parked our bikes. The group leader called us together and explained the mission. We were present to honor the family of the deceased soldier, and to form a barrier between the protestors and the church where the service was being held. It was to be a non-violent and silent action on our part, in order to send a message to both the protesters and family alike. It was an eerie feeling as I stepped out onto that field and joined ranks with the veterans. I felt proud of what we were about to do. We then proceeded to march military fashion and formed a human wall between the protesters and the nearby catholic school. Many of us were carrying large American flags and faced down the protesting group. Then we were commanded to do an about face and turned our backs on the protesters and saluted the family before us. The leader of our group explained that he wasn’t a preacher but would state our purpose that day. He went on to say that hundreds of years ago free men came together to set up a nation based on certain human rights and principles for “We the People” – you and me. And that “We the people”, set up a militia to protect our form of government for “WE the people”, you and me. That the family inside made up of members of “We the people”, sent their son to fight for “We the people” in the war Iraq. That young man paid the ultimate sacrifice for “We the people”- you and me. That this young man and his family deserved our respect and our thanks and that we would honor him today by blocking out the view of those behind us. I was very moved by his speech. The protesters began singing a shameful parody of “God Hates America”. In turn someone shouted out that we could sing better than that, and we responded with God Bless America. We then brought around several Harleys and let them idle to block out any further distractions. As this was going on members of the family came out to the grounds and expressed their appreciation for what we were doing. A teacher from the school addressed us to say that the sixth graders looking out their windows gave us a standing ovation. Once the protesters were disbanded (their permit ran out) we proceed to the church and formed an honor guard of American flags at either side of the entrance. The children from the school filed out in their plaid uniforms and lined the sidewalk across from the church and stood in perfect attention for about forty minutes until the Marine honor guard carried the soldier to the awaiting hearse. We all mounted at that point and escorted the hearse the twenty miles to the cemetery, where he was buried with full military honors. All along the route the intersections were blocked and we proceeded nonstop as people stood outside their businesses and watch and even saluted as we passed by. Whether you agree with this war or not, whether you are Republican or Democrat, hawk or dove; basic human dignity dictates that you respect the fallen soldier. For it is by his action that your very right to agreement or dissent is guaranteed. Most of the cameras and reporters hovered around the protesters that day. Not much attention was focused on our group. I was very proud of those I joined with, and shed a few tears that day. When I got home I did some research on the people that were protesting. Take a good look at what they stand for. I have included a news tape in the link, which accompanies this email. www.wjz.com/video/?id=16051@wjz.dayport.com

Tags: Riding With The Patriot Guard

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