Doings of the Patriot Guard

Recap: Local Soldiers Laid to Rest

WLNS - Lansing,MI,USA

Jack Olmstead, Patriot Guard Riders: "We come out to show our
respect and gratitude for their service to the country and honor their
memory." ...

Patriot bikers support troops

Daily News - Galveston County - TX,USA

It’sa far cry from the Patriot Guard Riders’ first area
“mission” in December 2005. That’s when three people helped bury a
soldier in Houston. ...

Tri-state Marine Laid To Rest

WCPO - Cincinnati,OH,USA

Dozens of Patriot Guard riders turned out to help the Lance
Corporal's family get through the day, as did local leaders and
families of other fallen Marines ...

Patriot bikers support troops

Published January 7, 2007

The thunder you heard Saturday along Interstate 45 wasn’t necessarily from the weekend rainstorms.

Among
the sorrow for the loss of Pfc. Nathan Given came the roar of nearly
300 motorcycle engines as members of the Patriot Guard, Blue Knights
and other motorcycle groups escorted the Dickinson soldier to his final
resting place.

It was fitting in many ways. Given was an avid biker himself, having made several Shriners toy runs with his dad, Scott.

And, as the funeral procession made its way to Mount Olivet Cemetery, several Shriners rode their Harleys at the lead.

It was an impressive site even before the bikers mounted their rides amid the drizzle.

Even before the services started, most stood at attention outside the funeral home holding American flags.

“I’d
say 35 percent of our members are (military) veterans,” said Rich
“Boomer” Ford, a Humble resident who heads the local chapter of the
Patriot Guard Riders. “This is our biggest turnout yet.”

Not
counting members of the Blue Knights, La Familia and Las Carnales who
joined in the procession, the Patriot Guard turned out more than 250
riders.

It’s a far cry from the Patriot Guard Riders’ first
area “mission” in December 2005. That’s when three people helped bury a
soldier in Houston.

Bonnie Cutler of Pasadena was one of those
three. As she looked out across the nearly quarter-mile-long line of
bikes, she had to hold back tears.

“We choke ourselves up at times,” she said.

The Patriot Guard is a national group with the sole purpose of supporting those who serve our country.

No
one knows for sure how many missions — that’s what they call support
rides such as the one for Given — the group has undertaken, but Ford
said: “It’s a lot.”

The Patriot Guard Riders were formed in the
summer of 2005 by riders in Kansas who were appalled at a religious
group’s protests at the funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq and
Afghanistan. The protesters blamed the servicemen’s deaths on the
nation’s tolerance of moral ills.

The first known Patriot Guard Rider mission was to show the families of the fallen that they were, indeed, supported.

Cutler
said group members do more than attend funerals for those killed at
war. They also provide escorts for homecomings as well as for funeral
services for fallen police and firemen.

On Saturday, Ford said he looked forward to the day he wouldn’t have to make any more such rides.

On
Monday, group members will be in Spring for the services of Pfc. Dustin
Donica, the 3,000th serviceman killed in Iraq. Donica was killed one
day after Given.

T.J. Aulds is the mainland editor for The Daily
News. His column focuses on everyday people who make living in
Galveston County and the Galveston Bay Area better. If you know of
someone who should be profiled e-mail tjaulds@ galvnews.com.

Soldier Killed Awarded Military Honors

KCCI.com - Des Moines,IA,USA

"We came out to show our respect for the fallen and the families and
the communities in which they live," said Ken Dieken of the Patriot
Guard Riders. ...

Sgt. Sullivan Laid to Rest

WTVC - Chattanooga,TN,USA

The Patriot Guard Riders was also on hand to pay respects.
They're a national group that vows to pay their respects to every
fallen solider in the country. ...

Patriot Guard Riders Revved up to serve and protect shielding ...

Total Motorcycle.com - Calgary,Alberta,Canada

Patriot Guard Riders proceed from the staging area to Capt. Kevin
Kryst’s funeral. It’s free to join the group, which shields the
mourning family and ...

Patriot Guard Riders Pay Tribute

WTVC - Chattanooga,TN,USA

Hundreds of motorcyclists with the "Patriot Guard Riders"
rode with American flags and lined the streets, to pay tribute to the
fallen hero. ...

Patriot Guard honors fallen Marietta soldier

Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription) - Atlanta,GA,USA

As mourners walked toward the sanctuary at Pleasant Grove Missionary
Baptist Church in Marietta on Saturday, they were greeted by the Patriot
Guard Riders, ...

Final Farewell for Denfrund

WIVB - Buffalo,NY,USA

They were met by the Patriot Guard Riders, a group that holds
American flags to shield grieving families from protests. One of the
Patriot Guard Riders said ...

Robin Foundation Thanks

Daily News - Galveston County - TX,USA

God bless the Patriot Guard riders. They are restoring honor and
decency to the paying of respects and giving of thanks to the fallen
soldiers of our nation ...

Bikers turn out; protesters don't

Monroenews.com - Monroe,MI,USA

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders were there to honor Sgt. Messer
of Monroe, who was killed in Iraq. They also were there to make sure
protesters were out ...

Community buries Strong

thepaper24-7.com - USA

The first filed past dozens of members of the Patriot Guard Riders,
who stood outside the school carrying flags. Ron Coleman, Indiana Assistant
State ...

	An honor guard from the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division carry a memorial wreath wtih a photograph of Sgt. Jason C. Denfrund, a Cattaraugus native, following a memorial service Monday at Roberts Memorial Free Church in Cattaraugus. Sgt. Denfrund was killed in an explosion in Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas Day. Photo by Rick Miller

CATTARAUGUS — This village turned out Monday to recall how Sgt. Jason Denfrund touched their lives, and to say good-bye.

Army Sgt. Denfrund died Christmas Day in an explosion in Baghdad,
Iraq. He was buried Friday after funeral services in Chicago, home of
his wife, Melissa, his stepdaughter Chloe, and infant son, Jayden.

Family, including parents, Randy and Diane Wienk, and friends in
his hometown celebrated his life in a memorial service at Roberts
Memorial Free Methodist Church on South Street, which was lined with
small American flags. More than 300 people attended the service.

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Outside
the church and later at the cemetery across the street, local veterans
and members of Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group, stood with
large flags as snow flurries flew.

Members of the 10th Mountain Division stationed at Fort Drum in
northern New York attended the memorial services and served as an honor
guard, carrying a wreath with Sgt. Denfrund’s photograph to a memorial
site in the nearby cemetery.

Sgt. Denfrund, 24, was a 2000 graduate of Cattaraugus High
School, and a member of its “Big Red” football team, of which he was
captain his senior year. He was the third Cattaraugus County resident
to die in the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Rev. Michael Jones said the village was honoring Sgt.
Denfrund for the ultimate sacrifice of defending his country. “He is
one of our hometown heroes,” he said.

The memorial service is a way to thank God for Jason and share
your memories, he told those gathered in the church, as well as to
support his family.

“I see family — lots of family, and friends,” Rev. Jones said.
While he never met Sgt. Denfrund, he said, “I know him through the
impact he has had on you.”

Rev. Jones read some of the memories friends and family members
wrote. The words they used to describe him included charismatic,
fun-loving, modest, a leader and loyal.

His sister, Marissa, wrote that Jason was “a passionate person
about everything in life. He didn’t realize what a great leader he’d
become. He left an imprint on everyone’s heart and he will not be
forgotten.”

A friend Sgt. Denfrund served with, David Bellevia, recalled how
he loved working on his unit’s Bradley Fighting Vehicles, but “he still
knew how to shoot his rifle expertly. Jason, he wrote, “could bench
press Rhode Island.”

They both loved the Buffalo Bills no matter how many times they “broke our hearts.”

To his son, Jayden, Mr. Bellevia vowed: “We will never let you forget how special your dad was. He never ran from any battle.”

Russell Parisi, a friend of Sgt. Denfrund since third grade,
read a letter he and some friends had written of their remembrances.

“We were blessed to be part of a great man’s life.” From the
beginning, it was clear that “nothing was going to stop him from doing
what he wanted to do. He was always honest and always himself.”

“We’ll miss J’s one-of-a-kind giggle,” Mr. Russell said, his
voice breaking with emotion. “He also had a sensitive side. We will
always remember his bear hugs where our feet didn’t touch the ground.”

His dedication to football surpassed that of other high school
and college athletes, Mr. Russell said. He was always lifting weights —
often as early as 5 a.m., hours before school began.

He liked to blare Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” on his car’s stereo, Mr. Russell recalled.

That song was featured in a slide show of photographs of Sgt.
Denfrund, as a boy, a young man and a soldier. The photos, projected
onto the walls of the church, showed him with family, friends and
fellow soldiers. After the slide show, Tiffany Dohl sang “Amazing
Grace.”

Mr. Russell said it was ironic that Sgt. Denfrund became a driver in the Army, given his history with cars.

“Jason always wanted to drive for NASCAR, but we knew better,” he said.

He also recalled the necklace he gave to a friend in Cattaraugus
for safekeeping until he got back. He said the hardest thing will be
“we’ll never see Jason as a father. Jayden will never get to grow up
with his father — but we will tell him (your) stories.”

Mr. Russell said, “Not everyone agrees with the war, but we
should support our troops. Take the time to thank the troops for their
service.”

Sgt. Denfrund’s aunt, Barbara Harvey, spoke of his Grandfather
Wienk’s pride in his grandson. Sgt. Denfrund, she said, sent his
grandfather, who was also a veteran, mementos from where he was
stationed in the Army — Germany, Kosovo and Iraq.

Another aunt, Amy Jamison, read a poem she wrote called “The American Soldier,” which she dedicated to Sgt. Denfrund.

Seven-year-old Jason Opferbeck, the son of family friends, read
a letter he wrote to Sgt. Denfrund in Iraq last year. “You are a real
day hero,” he said, reading from a copy of the letter. “I miss you.”

The sun came out briefly as family, friends and other mourners
followed the soldiers from the 10th Mountain across the street to the
cemetery where the wreath with Sgt. Denfrund’s photograph was placed on
consecrated ground as a memorial. The area was ringed by people
carrying large American flags as snow flurries began to fly again.

An honor guard fired a 21-gun salute at the cemetery, followed by taps.

Bill would limit funeral protests

Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck,ND,USA

As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, Id like to continue as an
"invited guest" besides, Id wouldnt want anyone to show up at a
funeral of one of my ...

Patriot Guard Riders honor the fallen

Waukegan News Sun - Waukegan,IL,USA

Volunteering for the Patriot Guard Riders has helped him come to
terms with the rejection he felt after his discharge from the Army in 1969.
...

Patriot Guard attends

Palladium-Item - Richmond,IN,USA

The Patriot Guard Riders are honored to attend military funerals
whether or not the church group is there, said Brian Napier of
Connersville, who made local ...

Salisbury, Md., soldier laid to rest

The News Journal - Wilmington,DE,USA

Patriot Guard Riders member John Davis of Dover, Del., holds onto
his flag as the casket carrying Army Spec. Eric T. Caldwell leaves St.
Francis de Sales ...


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Patriot Guard Riders ride into Inauguration Day activities

Montgomery Advertiser - Montgomery,AL,USA

Though they'll be riding behind two large drum sections, the leader of
the Patriot Guard Riders said he's not worried about the noise.
...

Body of fallen soldier returning home

Orange Leader - Orange,TX,USA

The Patriot Guard are a group of motorcycle riders from
across the nation who attend the funerals of fallen soldiers to pay their
respect and to shield the ...

No memorial for airman slain in Iraq

Sun-Sentinel.com - Fort Lauderdale,FL,USA

Members of Westboro Baptist and the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of
motorcyclists who oppose the protesters, say they seldom hear of families
choosing ...

2 more states move toward restricting funeral protests

First Amendment Center - Nashville,TN,USA

12, praised the Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle group that comes
to soldiers' funerals. Berg attended Hermanson's funeral, and spoke
of his admiration ...

Vet to ride with Patriot Guard to honor fallen son

Waukegan News Sun - Waukegan,IL,USA

Ochsner plans to ride the motorcycle with the leather-jacketed Patriot
Guard Riders, who made their first official mission in Illinois a
memorial Mass for ...

Patriot Guard Riders hosting Porter event

Total Motorcycle.com - Calgary,Alberta,Canada

Local members of the Patriot Guard Riders are hosting a
meet-and-greet event Sunday afternoon, inviting the public to join them and
learn more about the ...

Hanscom welcomes heroes home

Air Force Link - Washington,DC,USA

Local members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a military support
organization composed primarily of motorcycle riders, attended the
celebration to show their ...

Area soldier

Monmouth Daily Review Atlas - Monmouth,IL,USA

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders supported the family by
shielding family members from viewing any possible war protesters who might
have shown up during ...

Family mourns Wasilla native who died in war

Anchorage Daily News (subscription) - Anchorage,AK,USA

At his funeral Sunday, 30 members of a local branch of a group called the
Patriot Guard Riders escorted Allen's family, friends and his
cremated remains to ...

Letter: Bill would help protect mourners from protesters

Billings Gazette - Billings,MT,USA

Have you heard of the Patriot Guard Riders? Let me tell you
something about these wonderful people. They are motorcycles riders
from various areas across ...

Riders stand to honor soldiers’ sacrifice

Terre Haute Tribune Star - Terre Haute,IN,USA

LEBANON, Ind. — Several of the Patriot Guard Riders who lined the
entrance to Western Boone Jr-Sr. High School during the Jan. 8 funeral of
SPC. ...

Patriot Guard rides to next-of-kin rescue

nwitimes.com - Munster,IN,USA

"You won't find a better group of people anywhere," said
McCray, of fellow Patriot Guard Riders. "We're like a huge
family. ...

Governor Signs Military Funeral Protest Buffer Law

KFYR-TV - Bismarck,ND,USA

They now have more than the Patriot Guard Riders to support them at
military funerals. "You were a buffer zone between the funeral and the
protesters and ...

HB1040 passes! Plus some typical musings as I'm prone to do

KXMA - Dickinson,ND,USA

That's where the Patriot Guard riders come in. While this
picture from last June doesn't convey how many people actually stand in
attendance for the Patriot ...

Riders touch families; families touch riders

Escanaba Daily Press - Escanaba,MI,USA

A grieving, elderly grandmother, struggling to get out of her wheelchair,
paid tribute to the double-row of flag-holding members of the Patriot
Guard Riders ...

Riders touch families; families touch riders
Escanaba Daily Press, MI - Jan 26, 2007
By
Dorothy McKnight - dmcknight@dailypress.net. A grieving, elderly
grandmother, struggling to get out of her wheelchair, paid tribute to
the double-row of ...
‘Line of protection’
Escanaba Daily Press, MI - Jan 26, 2007
By
Dorothy McKnight - dmcknight@dailypress.net. GLADSTONE — Mention the
Patriot Guard Riders and, almost automatically, the Westboro Baptist
Church comes to ...

Vet who struggled for help dies

Lincoln Courier - Lincoln,IL,USA

EASTON - Grim faces and a somber atmosphere permeated the Easton Cafe as
about a dozen members of the Patriot Guard Riders changed their
plans for the day ...

‘Line of protection’

Escanaba Daily Press - Escanaba,MI,USA

GLADSTONE — Mention the Patriot Guard Riders and, almost
automatically, the Westboro Baptist Church comes to mind. The church
members, protesting the ...

Marine makes last journey home

KRQE - Albuquerque,NM,USA

Family members, tribal leaders and Patriot Guard Riders welcomed the
fallen Marine home. Sanchez was killed in combat in Iraq less than a week
ago.

Shipp’s body arrives in Harlingen

Brownsville Herald - Brownsville,TX,USA

Along the road away from the fence, members of America’s Last Patrol —
a veterans organization — and Patriot Guard Riders stood at
attention as the body was ...

Memorials, procession will honor Keizer soldier who was killed in Iraq

Salem Statesman Journal - Salem,OR,USA

Escorts from the Patriot Guard Riders, a group that commemorates
fallen members of the military, are scheduled to line the tarmac and
display flags. ...


See all stories on this topic

Fallen soldier brought to Albany before funeral

Corvallis Gazette Times - Corvallis,OR,USA

At the airport, members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group that
commemorates fallen members of the military, planned to line the tarmac and
display flags. ...

Patriot Guard Riders honor 'one of our comrades'

The Spokesman Review - Spokane,WA,USA

On Saturday, more than 100 members of the Patriot Guard Riders stood
in silence outside Ferris High School, holding up flags in honor of Cpl.
Darrel James ...


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East Texas Soldier Honored With Full Military Honors

KLTV - Tyler,TX,USA

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization that honors
fallen soldiers, stood outside the church for support. "We've
probably got people coming ...

PVT Millican Laid to Rest

MyFox Birmingham - Birmingham,AL,USA

Hundreds of patriot guard riders gathered to honor Millican. Jim
Lorenzo is the Dixie Regional Captain of the Patriot Rider Group. He
and his wife, Carol, ...

Alabama soldier killed in Iraq laid to rest

WAFF - Huntsville,AL,USA

The picture on the left of your screen was taken by Kathy Hutchins as while
the Patriot Guard stood at attention in honor of Army Private
Johnathon Millican ...

Wounded Soldier Returns Home

WLBT-TV - Jackson,MS,USA

American flags in hand, 20 members of the Patriot Guard Riders
prepare to welcome a brave warrior home. Many of the men and women are
local military ...

Fallen Marine

Los Angeles Times - CA,USA

... funeral procession route to show their suppoirt. Here, Members
of the Patriot Guard Riders offer support at Calvary Community
Church in Westlake Village.

Mourning a soldier

Cape Cod Times - Hyannis,MA,USA

''It's important to us that the family knows their loved ones
are remembered,'' said Justin Brashier, state captain of the
Patriot Guard Riders and a ...

Project aims to recover cremated remains of forgotten veterans

North County Times - Escondido,CA,USA

The Patriot Guard Riders, a loose organization made up mostly of
veterans and motorcycle riders, is leading the effort intended to
provide a ceremony ...

Soldiers' families deal with protests at funerals (5:33 pm)

El Paso Times - El Paso,TX,USA

The Patriot Guard Riders have placed themselves between a group of
vocal protesters -- they say God is killing soldiers because the nation
tolerates ...

Patriot Guard Watches over Funeral for Soldier

WFMZ-TV Online - Allentown,PA,USA

Holding them were the men and women of the Patriot Guard Riders,
motorcyclists who come from all over as invited guests of the family.
...


See all stories on this topic

Site last updated: Friday, February 09, 2007

Monmouth Daily Review Atlas - Monmouth,IL,USA

The Illinois Chapter of the Patriot Guard Riders have been requested
by family members to attend visitation and funeral to honor Specialist
Lolling.

Patriot Guard Riders pay final respects

Aurora Beacon News - Aurora,IL,USA

Working closely with the family, local law enforcement and the local
community, the Patriot Guard Riders have gathered as many as 500
riders at a time to ...

Leather-clad honor guard rides on patriotic mission

2TheAdvocate - Baton Rouge,LA,USA

Colter helped organize the Patriot Guard Riders to lead the funeral
procession of Prairieville Army Spc. Johnathan Bryan Chism, 22, who died
Jan. ...

Zeimer's family, friends honor private

Billings Gazette - Billings,MT,USA

Many of the Patriot Guard Riders are Vietnam veterans who want to
honor American troops. They often show up on their motorcycles, which they
use to block ...


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Hundreds mourn Wheaton soldier

Chicago Sun-Times - Chicago,IL,USA

Two columns of flag-bearing Patriot Guard Riders lined the sidewalk
as servicemen carried a flag-draped casket bearing Capt. Landeck's body
out of the ...