Patriot Guard Riders Assist Hoosier Homecoming Celebration
(February 4, 2009) |
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More than 100 volunteers and Patriot Guard Riders from
the 120th Public Affairs Detachment participate in
homecoming ceremonies for Air and Army National Guard
units at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Jan. 31,
2009.
U.S. Army photo by Spc. Darren Salzer |
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INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 2, 2009 – Members of
the Patriot Guard Riders participated in homecoming
ceremonies for Indiana National Guard units at Lucas Oil
Stadium here Jan. 31. More
than 100 volunteers from the group walked the perimeter of
the field carrying U.S. flags before standing guard as more
than 3,100 Indiana soldiers and airmen marched in review.
Vietnam War veteran Lloyd Valentine of Fairland, Ind., said
he participates regularly with the Patriot Guard Riders. “It
puts closure to 38 years of nightmares of ‘Nam' for me,” he
said. “Doing this allowed me to come out and help bring
closure to the faces I see every day of those I served
with.”
Attending the events gives him the
opportunity to send |
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other servicemembers off with honor and
bring them home with the respect they deserve, he added. |
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The Patriot Guard Riders started in August 2005 with Chapter
136 of the American Legion Riders in Kansas who heard
protesters were disrupting funerals of fallen warriors and
decided to do something about it.
When they heard of a planned protest at the funeral of Army
Sgt. John Doles in Chelsea, Okla., they established a
mission statement that included getting the family's
permission and contacting law enforcement and other
motorcycle groups in Oklahoma. They agreed that their
ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle
organizations from every state involved. They were very
successful in mustering riders to honor Doles and limiting
disruption.
After participating in two fallen warriors' funerals, Jeff
“Twister” Brown from Broken Arrow, Okla., wanted to do more
than just ride. He contacted the original American Legion
riders in Kansas and told them of his plans to start a
nationwide communication and recruiting campaign. Within
days, Brown had formed the Patriot Guard Riders and began to
garner support.
Within a week, the group's membership included riders from
various veterans organizations and motorcycle clubs, as well
as individual, nonaffiliated riders.
Damon Gastineau of Avon, Ind., is one of the Patriot Guard
Riders who participated in Indiana's homecoming event.
“I'm not in the military, but I work with law enforcement at
the police academy in Plainfield,” he said. “I think it's
the right thing to do, to thank them.” |
By Army Staff Sgt. Patrick Cloward
120th Public Affairs Detachment
Special to
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
Reprinted
from American
Forces Press Service / DoD
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