Patriot guard riders honor America's military

It has always shocked me how people in our own country can sleep at night after they've vocally condemned our military for doing their job, which is protecting the United States of America. These people are the bravest men and women I've had the honor to know and we owe them our very lives.

And yet the U.S. Armed Forces are seen as "baby killers" and murderers in the eyes of some "Americans."

Being the daughter of a United States Air Force veteran, I've always had a deep respect the U.S. Armed Forces. While Daddy had been honorably discharged years before I was even in existence, he maintained his appreciation for all servicemen and women, and instilled that sense of honor in my sister, Jessica, and me.

However, it wasn't until recent years that my father and I really began diving head first into the world of politics and, specifically, American patriotism.

I can't deny that my father and I have eerily similar political standings. However, those conservative beliefs do not come mainly from him. As a high school student I'd spend my free time reading up on different political beliefs and everything in between being a "Liberal" and a "Conservative," and that included doing research on BOTH sides of the playing field. I believe that paid off and definitely shaped me into the person I am today.

These days, I don't spend my free time going to college parties or clubs; I choose to be an active participant in the Patriot Guard Riders of America.

You're probably thinking "What is that? Some sort of motorcycle gang?"

No, absolutely not -- riding a motorcycle is not even a requirement of what P.G.R. is ultimately about. Members of this organization have one thing in common and that is "unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security."

What I love about the Patriot Guard Riders is that it is an organization that is open to anyone; it doesn't matter if you lean towards the right or left side of politics, or if you're a veteran or a citizen. The only prerequisite for being a member of P.G.R. is respect for the United States military.

P.G.R. got its initial start in 2006 in Mulvane, Kan. after members from the Westboro Baptist Church began attending the funerals of fallen soldiers, claiming that the deaths of United States service members who were killed in Afghanistan and Iraq were "divine retribution for American tolerance of homosexuality." Their protests included screaming horrible statements to the fallen soldiers' families as well as even spitting on the caskets.

P.G.R. members would in turn attend those funerals (at the request of the soldier's family members) and position themselves to physically shield mourners from the Westboro protesters. When needed, P.G.R. would also drown out any chants by the protesters by either singing patriotic songs or revving their motorcyle engines.

This group has expanded to other states and has reported there are now well over 137,000 members. P.G.R. also greets soldiers at homecoming celebrations, volunteer for veterans organizations as well as escort service members being deployed to airports. However, P.G.R. does not attend these gatherings uninvited; everything the Patriot Guard Riders do is ALWAYS at the request of soldiers, veterans, and their families.

I've had the honor to participate in several of these events and they are truly incredible experiences. They are also bittersweet moments that will forever remain in my mind.

Just recently my father, his friend Troy Leverette (an Army National Guard veteran) and I (along with hundreds of other P.G.R. members, including P.G.R. Tennessee State Captain Annette Robeck) attended the funeral of Lance Cpl. Gregory Posey at the request of his family. Lance Cpl. Posey, 22, was killed serving in Iraq on July 30, 2009. His funeral took place Aug. 8 in Winchester. As mourners began arriving at the funeral home, P.G.R. members stood at attention holding large American flags at the entrance. Following the funeral we began the procession escort to Franklin Memorial Gardens, Posey's final resting place.

The procession was something I will never forget. Some light was shed on a heartbreaking occasion as it seemed the entire town of Winchester came out to the road as the funeral procession drove to the cemetery, to pay their respects to their fallen hero. Many waved American flags, held their hand over their heart, and even saluted as the hearse drove through the town.

Tears streamed silently down my face as I rode behind my father in the procession. The overwhelming love and support from the community left me in awe and took me back to 2004 when my cousin, PFC Daniel B. McClenney, was killed in Afghanistan and our family received so much support from the Bedford County area.

Lance Cpl. Posey's sacrifice will never be forgotten, nor will any man or woman who has fought for American freedom, and it is because of organizations like the Patriot Guard Riders and the families of soldiers that these heroes live on. They become one as the spirit of the United States of America.

For further information, log on to the website at www.patriotguard.org. They're always looking for "volunteers" here in our state of Tennessee.

-Jaime Welsh is an intern at The Times-Gazette. She can be reached at intern@t-g.com.