Riders mark anniversary
Published Nov. 10, 2006
Thursday was the one-year anniversary of the Patriot Guard Riders. For an entire year, these veterans and non-veterans have been riding to funerals on motorcycles to support the fallen soldiers from the wars overseas.
According to the organization's Web site, "It all started back in early August 2005 with the American Legion Riders Chapter 136 from Kansas. They were appalled to hear that a fallen hero's memory was being tarnished by misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals. They decided to do something about it."
The Westboro Baptist Church tours the country to protest homosexuals in the military.
"Those who are not fags in the military are fag-enablers," said Zach Phelps-Roper, the grandson of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps. "So that's what this nation's like. They promote the fag agenda. They have given over this nation to the fags in a hand basket."
Ed "Wescoot2" Mueller, director of member affairs for the Patriot Guard Riders, said they try to position themselves between the funeral home and the church.
"And if they show up, our people are there shoulder to shoulder with American flags on eight-foot poles," Mueller said. "If you wanted to see through our flags, you probably could, but the fact is that when a grieving parent sees 200 bikers clad in leather standing proud, not making a sound, ... that sound was thunderous."
Mueller was at the memorial service for Sgt. Floyd Stek in Skokie, Ill., on Thursday night. There were 45 Riders there at the time, but the number of Riders present at a funeral can be anywhere between two and 400, he said.
"We're a diverse group of people," Mueller said. "We started out as a bunch of bikers, probably 80 or 90 percent were veterans. I'm looking at my flag line right now. Thre are men my age in their 50s, women, housewives who just are here to do the right thing, and young men who may or may not have served."
The organization's mission statement stated each mission that is undertaken has two main objectives: to respect the fallen soldier and the family and to shield the mourning family and friends from protestors.
"We don't care, whether they're here or not, we're not here for the protestors," Mueller said. "We could care less if an outside intrusion shows up."
The protesters said the Riders help their cause.
"We're preaching to this whole generation," said Shirley Phelps-Roper, mother of Zach Phelps-Roper. "They are not patriot riders ... They beat their little chests, and they flip off God, and they help us publish. We're very grateful."
The Patriot Guard Riders deal with the protesters, but they said they would not resort to violence.
"No Patriot Guard has ever touched anybody," Mueller said. "We are a nonviolent organization. The best way that we deal with these people is to show them disrespect by turning our backs to them."
But the protestors are convinced of the gravity of their cause. "I think that this nation is doomed because they have made God their No. 1 enemy," Zach Phelps-Roper said.
Usually only six to 12 protesters show up, Mueller said.
"If the media doesn't give the protesters attention, they will not be at the funerals," Mueller said. "But the Patriot Guards, no matter what, will be there to respect the fallen soldier, the family and funeral the community."