Editor's Note: In the fall of 2005, a new
organization called the Patriot Guard Riders was formed.
These men and women, mostly veterans and mostly motorcycle
riders, saw an urgent need and responded. A group of anti-war
protestors, calling themselves members of a "church,"
were making news by showing up at the funerals of American
service personnel and shouting hate-filled invective at
the grieving families, adding to their pain.
The
Patriot Guard Riders attend these funerals, at the express
invitation of the families and with the approval and support
of local law enforcement and the military. They use their
bodies and flags to form an unofficial honor guard, and,
when necessary, a human shield between the hateful leftists
and the mourning military family.
But
the Patriot Guard Riders are not a protest group, nor are
they a "counter-protest" group. In fact, they
specifically forbid any confrontation between PGR and protestors.
Instead, they are an honor guard. From the Mission Statement
on the PRG website:
"We
don’t care what you ride, what your political views
are, or whether you’re a "hawk" or a "dove".
It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't
matter where you’re from or what your income is. You
don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is
Respect."
On May 24, Marine
Lance Corporal Adam Conboy, killed in Iraq, was laid to
rest near his home in Philadelphia. The Patriot Guard
Riders gathered to honor this fallen hero. What follows,
written by Ride Captain Jeremy Clark, is the Mission Report
from the completed PGR mission:
 |
| "Just
when I think that the country is going to hell in a
hand-basket, I see all these great Americans; Americans
who believe in something greater than themselves, and
it restores my faith." - Jeremy Clark, PGR
Mission Ride Captain |
MISSION
REPORT
The
mother of a Marine said "I want them there" and
so they came. Patriot Guard riders answered the call of
this Marine Mom and showed up in force to honor her son,
Lance Cpl. Conboy. PGR members from PA, NJ and MD paid tribute
to this American Hero.
It
was an early start for many members the 0830 Rally had some
of us up at 0-dark-thirty, but it was well worth it in the
end. The PGR members' motto of the day was "adapt,
improvise, and overcome" with several changes to staging
areas, the day's itinerary, and order of march; but the
men and women of PGR kept the big mission in sight and you
all performed superbly.
The
weather was beautiful that morning as the PGR formed our
flag lines in front of the magnificent St. John The Baptist
Roman Catholic Church. The community also turned out in
large numbers to support their fallen hero. Members of the
Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State Police departments joined
us, both two-wheeled and four-wheeled; and with the addition
of a K-9 unit, two-legged and four-legged. When we thought
the gathering was complete 20 members of the Leathernecks
rolled in to pay their respects to Lance Cpl. Conboy. When
all were assembled we had 48 PGR bikes and 5 PGR cars.
Once
the viewing and service where complete everyone there mounted
up and began a funeral procession which covered most of
the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Tears came to this
Ranger's eyes at the sight of all the support for this Marine;
it is events like this that make me proud to be an American.
After the 30-minute procession we arrived at the cemetery,
and Lance Cpl. Conboy's final resting place. The burial
ceremony was beautiful with bagpipes and full military honors.
Once again, I was brought to tears by the sound of that
lone bugler playing that solemn song. PGR members were honored
to have the mother and father of this Marine front and center
of the formation, where we all paid our heartfelt tribute
in form of a salute.
The
Father, Mother, and Stepfather and of Lance Cpl. Conboy,
as well as his Commanding Officer all thanked us for coming
to honor this Marine. But it is we who owe them. We owe
them for raising a boy with the character to become a Marine.
We owe them for the discipline and patriotism to lead America's
finest young men into combat with the enemy. And so I would
like to take one more opportunity to thank them. Thank you
Mr. Conboy and Mrs. Warner. for raising a hero. Thank you
Colonel, for training and leading this hero in combat.
I
would also like to thank all the PGR who attended, you are
truly "American's Doing the Right Thing." Thanks
to all of you who sacrificed your time to come and pay your
respects to one of America's heroes.
Remember,
freedom isn't free. Rest in peace, Lance Cpl. Adam Conboy.
Mission
Accomplished.
©
2006 Tocqevillian Magazine
