A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Wearing leather chaps and vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls from one soldier’s funeral to another in hopes their respectful cheers and revving engines will drown out the insults of protesters.
The motorcycle club members calling themselves Patriot Guard Riders are trying to shield mourners from cruel jeers by adherents of a tiny fundamentalist church who picket military funerals to reflect their belief that U.S. combat deaths are a sign God is punishing the United States for harboring homosexuals. Some protesters’ signs said, “Thank God for IEDs,� the improvised explosive devices, or homemade bombs, that kill many U.S. soldiers.
“The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares,� said Don Woodrick, the biker group’s Kentucky captain. “When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement.�
Across the nation, Patriot Guard Riders number more than 5,000. They show up at soldiers’ funerals to chant patriotic slogans and wave red, white and blue flags in hopes of overshadowing backers of a Kansas clergyman named the Rev. Fred Phelps.
Phelps and members of his Westboro Baptist Church have caused such a fuss that at least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protests. During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project in Montgomery, Alabama.
The project’s deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps’ message, but none have been as organized as the Patriot Guard.
“I’m not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity,� she said. “It’s nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can’t imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you’ve got to deal with Fred Phelps.�
At a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell, church protesters and sang vulgar songs condemning homosexuals and soldiers. The Patriot Guard was also there, cheering to support mourning families across the street as community members came in a freezing rain to chant “U-S-A, U-S-A� alongside the bikers.
“This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn’t do in the ’70s,� said Kurt Mayer, the Patriot Guard’s national spokesman, referring to the era when protests against the Vietnam war were common. “Whether we agree with why we’re over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms.�
Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kansas-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.
“The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword,� Phelps-Roper said. “Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier’s funeral.�
The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps’ extended family. A small group of them appeared last month in West Virginia outside a memorial for the 12 men killed in the Sago Mine disaster. They held signs reading “Thank God for Dead Miners� and “Miners in Hell.�
Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.
The Indiana Senate has passed a bill intended to prohibit protests within 500 feet (150 meters) of funerals. The House is considering the measure.
The bills were written to protect families of soldiers such as Pvt. Jonathan R. Pfender, 22, of Evansville, Indiana, a soldier from Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division who was killed in January by a roadside bomb in Beiji, Iraq.
Westboro church members protested at Pfender’s funeral, screaming profanities at mourners as they passed. Family members were shielded from the insults by the rumble of Patriot Guard motorcycles.
“We were glad that the Patriot Guard Riders were there,� said Jackie Pfender, the soldier’s stepmother. “This group of protesters wanted to put something negative on Jonathan’s funeral. In actuality, it became a positive thing because of the support we had.�
Patriot Guard members only show up at funerals if invited by family. Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group came to the Pfender funeral at the family’s request after protesters announced they planned to attend.
“No one deserves this,� Wilbur said. “If I were burying my loved one and they were out there yelling anything close to what they yell to the families of these soldiers, I know my temperament. I probably would not handle it very well.�
(45) Readers Comments
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CJ
Well, I don’t pretend to defend what happened at Kent State. The Guard was ill-trained, had gone without sleep for some time, and was sent from other riot-control duties. But that’s no excuse. It was the mob mentality. One soldier, for whatever reason, fired a shot and everyone else freaked out and began shooting themselves. Not the best 13 seconds of military history for sure.
But, the Guard also didn’t show up at the funerals of those people killed at the university and rub salt in the wounds. They didn’t send people to celebrate their deaths. No one from the military degraded or disrespected the families of the fallen students. It’s just tasteless to do that, no matter who’s died, but especially a soldier who died fighting for his country.
dusgalan
The Westboro Baptist Church has no right to disrupt anyone’s funeral. Would they like if they were shown the same disrespect? Don’t think so. They are in effect disrupting a peaceful religious service and should all be ordered to disburse and go home or be immediately arrested for causing disturbance and fined the full amount allowed. The motorcyclists shouldn’t have to be there, God, I hate that loud racket! Furthermore, why haven’t the local police crushed these idiots? Religious fanaticism (of any brand) will get its way and continue to trample on peaceful citizens’ rights unless the arm of the law stops them…Where are the asylums for the insane now that they are needed for these whack jobs? Sal: It sure doesn’t make sense…I don’t support the myth that communism has fallen…they’re still around…keep your powder dry!
dusgalan of mt
Donna
What kind of “christians” would do something like Fred Phelps bunch are doing anyway?
The bible says that you will know God’s children by their fruits and Fred Phelps bunch aren’t bearing very good fruit. Rotten fruit I’d say.
So you can see which side they are on just by that.
Donna
God Bless the Patriot Guard group for doing what they are. I know that the families of the fallen soldiers are soooo grateful to them for coming to the funerals!
JE
Donna, these evil people are not even remotely connected to Christianity. What they may call themselves is immaterial. I read several weeks ago about their activities at the funeral of heroes and I have never felt so heart sick. God bless the Patriot Guard Riders!
Cheryl
I am a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, and their Northern California coordinator. I am neither military nor a biker. I am a patriot. That is all you need to belong to the PGR. Oh, and a desire to pay your respects to those who gave all for our country. It started out as a counter protest group because of Fred and his ilk. It has morphed into a groundswell of patriotism. Our mission is to honor our fallen and their families.
Our membership includes a lot of veterans, active and retired, law enforcement, active and retired, and every other walk of life you can imagine. Not just the proverbial biker type.
Beth* A.
Beyond tasteless. It indicates such a grossness of mind, such a complete and all-pervasive lack of any molecule of sensitivity towards a grieving family who already have the worst burden there is to contend with; their loss forever of a loved son/daughter/brother/father/aunt/etc.
But, “never mind them: WE’VE got a (puling, hate-filled) agenda to pursue!”
Selfish. Vile. They should be shunned. They apparently can’t be shamed. But…they can be, have been, and by the grace of these Patriot Guard Riders, will continue to be…outMANned.
Sgt. B.
Bravo Zulu, Patriot Guards! Charlie Mike!
Semper Fi,
Sgt. B.
Lobotomatic
Those guys are badass.
rachel
904 new members to the Patriot Guard Riders today. I love this country.
PlatoonMomTerri
That minister from Topeka is an idiot. They’ve had trouble with that man back in Kansas for many years. Someone needs to lock him up, cause he’s just plain nuts!
Lornkanaga
Nice article, CJ. But you forgot to mention one of the things Phelps does–his people try to incite someone to violence so that Phelps can then sue that person to his/her last penny.
These guys are in it not only for the “thrill” of intimidating good people, but they’re doing it for cash.
Royally disgusting scum.
Lornkanaga
Oops–forgot to mention that I found your article via The Military Outpost!
Kayla
It is so sad that people would protest at a funeral like that. My friend, Anthony, was recently killed in Iraq and as my mother and I arrived at the funeral we noticed a large group of men on motorcycles carrying American flags. The weather outside was freezing cold and extremely windy, but those men stood there during the entire funeral (from the church to the graveyard) and simply, quietly held their flags. I know that Anthony would have been happy to have seen this if he only could. He loved people and never met a stranger. I’m so happy that these men could show their love and respect for someone that they did not even know, just like Anthony did.
OIF Vet
It’s one thing to hold a protest because you think that a war or the government itself is immoral. However, when they bring the protest into the personal lives of a mourning family they lose any and all moral justification for their actions. They’re preying on the wounded and defenseless people left behind to suffer the loss of their loved ones.
As defenders of this nation, veterans and active members, we still have a duty to stand up for the defenseless. In fact I would say that all good citizens have a duty to stand up and confront these people wherever they go. We should be protesting on their front lawns, at their places of business and hatemongering worship. We should gather wherever they are and let them know they’re not welcome.
We all have a right to protest but when that right is abused the people need to respond. I call upon every veteran, service member and citizen to let the families of fallen soldiers know we’ll stand with them and against those who would desecrate our rights and their loved ones with hatred filled protest.
Lornkanaga
OIF Vet:
“We all have a right to protest but when that right is abused the people need to respond. I call upon every veteran, service member and citizen to let the families of fallen soldiers know we’ll stand with them and against those who would desecrate our rights and their loved ones with hatred filled protest.”
I agree. However, I think we should go beyond protesting as well–hit Phelps in his pocketbook: (from a post on my little livejournal http://lornkanaga.livejournal.com/58193.html)
“[Phelps] needs to know that his intimidation tactics don’t work anymore, that everyone knows he’s nothing more than a bully, and that there are consequences to his actions. . . .multiple nuisance lawsuits from every family member/friend of those who died (military, gay, etc.) and whose funeral he’s disrupted. After all, how many people has he caused ‘pain and distress’?”
I’m against nuisance lawsuits on principle, but this guy is the exception that proves the rule imo.
CJ
The simple fact here is that no one has a right to infringe on another’s rights. That’s the bottom line of what that group is doing.
Don Woodrick
I am the KY state Captain of the Patriot Guard Riders. I just wanted to clear up a couple of points. First in KY the bikes have not been used to drown out the protesters. Good coordination and planning of the service can help make the protesters a non-issue. Secondly we attend no service without the families consent. However we participate in any service is based on the families wishes, wether that be standing respectfully holding flags, participating in an escort, or as a shield to block protesters. In some cases the motorcycles play no role at all. Its not about protesters, or motorcycles, its about letting the families know people in this country care. Even if they don’t think our attendence is desired or appropriate, the offer to help still conveys that message.
Theresa, MSgt, USAF (ret)
Patriot Guard Riders, you guys are awesome. This show of support and partiotism is so needed right now to counter the phelps/sheehan anti-Americanism the lame stream media focuses on. Thank you and God Bless.
Cindy
I just heard about the Patriot Guard via the CNN news program. My brother is in the Air Force so I do feel for the people that have lost their own in this war on terror. It’s too bad we have the war on terror to fight in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. but then to come home and have to fight your own. Phelps is a traitor to his country, God and his “Baptist” religion. I’ve never known a good, God-serving Baptist to act with hate and vengence against his own in the name of the Lord. How does he think he is free? He could live in another country if this one is so bad. There are homosexuals in all countries and didn’t God make everyone? Hopefully Mr. Phelps has seen his better days and he and his family will crawl back under their rock.
Cindy
I forgot to mention that I was touched by the Patriot Guard coming together for the families of those that perished and to guard them from the sickos that heckle about things that truly have nothing to do with the war on terror or the heroism involved. Hats off to our military and the volunteer Patriot Guard!!
Vicky
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Patriot Guard Bikers!! I am a patriot and I love our military and their families. I am grieved and disgusted at these evil wackos that come from my home town to disgrace themselves & fellow Kansans. Shame on you, Phelps!
Iluminado Delgado
Anyone can tell me if there is such a group in California (San Diego, especifically) and where do I go to join this group of patriots? This is just too f*&&#& much!!!!
LOC
I joined the patriot guard today. Whoever started this club, I salute you. These members make me grateful to call you my fellow Americans and friends.
And to those who state they are doing God bidding, I pitty you on the day of judgement. What you are doing, and what you profess you do in the name of the Lord is the reason the seventh commandment was written “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”
the MEDIC
I am a Member of the PGR from KY. I compair Fred Phelps to Jim Jones (some of you will remember him) lead hundreds of followers to death. Phelps is not a Christian nor a Baptist Preacher. He is the scum of the earth. If these people have something to protest go to Washington, LEAVE THE MILITARY FAMILIES ALONE! Apparently this group of protester have nothing better to do and want attention. Well, God will give them the attention they diserve in the end. Maybe the protesters need what we call down south “An old Fashion Ass Kicking” but that would only lower us to their level. The Guard is in no way violent. We travel where ever, when ever we are needed to help the families of fallen soldiers.
As a retired Capt./Paramedic from the Fire Department this war hits home. 9-11-01. You remember that date. I’ll never forget it. After going to NYC and seeing the devastation that was caused there it made me want to join the PGR when I found out about them.
IF YOU DON’T STAND BEHIND OUT TROOPS, STAND IN FRONT OF THEM!
I’M SURE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE PHELPS AND HIS FOLLOWERS A ONE WAY TICKET TO IRAQ OR ANY OTHER TWC THEY WISH. IF THE GOVERNMENT WON’T I’M SURE WE COULD GATHER ENOUGH DONATIONS TO BUY THEM A TICKET.
I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY PROTESTER AT ANY OF THE FALLEN SOLIDERS FUNERALS…..
AS OF TODAY GOV. E. FLETCHER SIGNED BILL TO STOP PROTESTING IN KENTUCKY. HOPEFULLY OTHER STATES WILL FOLLOW…
THE GUARD IS THERE FOR THE SOLIDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES
GOD BLESS THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS
GOD BLESS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR MILITARY.
GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!!!!!!
CJ
Medic, thanks for the visit. I saw that you submitted this post twice for approval, so I deleted one of them. Thanks for everything you do for us soldiers. I feel the same way you do, which is why I go to Walter Reed some Friday nights to get onto to the Code Pink crowd who protests in front of the hospital there.
Aunt Nee'
The 100+ Patriot Guard riders who came to the funeral of my nephew who was killed in Irag on 4/6/06 are my heros. They came out of respect for a fallen soldier and out of the deepest degree of patriotism I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The site of those motorcycles leading him to his final resting place and those wonderful men and women standing in a line during the service was a scene I will never forget. Just thinking of it brings tears to my eyes and gratefulness to my heart. May God bless you all and keep you safe.
John J Curcio
First of all May God Bless & Keep all you Riders in his heart for the wonderful things you all are doing to counter this Evil. My prayers and the prayers of all our friends go out to you.Please let us no how we can join you in your fight.My friends and neighbors are ripping with what this human CRAP are doing to the memory of our fallen brothers & sisters and to there families.
John J Curcio
Brooklyn New York
Tammy
God bless you all. My nephew was killed in Iraq and his funeral services are upcoming. We have already heard that the Patriot Guard will be there. It’s comforting to know that not all people are filled with such hatred and prejudice. I just don’t understand who the laws protect. My nephew died for his country, yet Phelps is being protected. The constitution was written when people had integrity and morals, I wish these hate groups would quit hiding behind the 1st.
BA Critter
Membership to the Patriot Guard is easy, the only prerequisite is RESPECT
To join just go to http://www.PatriotGuard.org Please read the mission statement before joining All are welcome, you do not need a bike to join. We are an all volunteer organization and as of today are 58725 strong and growing by the hundreds every day, and we aren’t even a year old yet!
William Mc Guire GMC(SW) USN (ret.)
I am shamed to admit that I knew nothing of the Patriot Guard Riders or the rev(iled) fred phelps. My ignorance was corrected a few days ago by a front page article in the Montgomery, (AL) Advertiser abput the Oct 26 funeral of Pfc Stephen Bicknell. I am retired from the U. S. Navy (23 years)and would be honored to ride with and stand beside these wonderful people. Where do I sign up?
Bill Mc Guire
Starwalker7
Although this post is quite old compared to the date of the article, I must commend BA Critter for providing the above information.
Since his post, which gave our membership as 58,725 on Oct. 10, 2006, we have grown to a membership of 137,596 as of April 30, 2008. I would, however, like to clear up a couple of misconceptions that seem to be rampant. First, we of the PGR are not a “motorcycle club”, or a club of any sort. We have no dues, no regular meetings or local club charters. We wre simply 135 thousand plus patriots who wish to honor and pay our respects to those who have served their country, be they active service or veterans. Second, we do not, as has been stated on other sites “Ride from funeral to funeral”. Most of us work for a living, and attend funerals (we refer to them as “missions”)when we can. You do not need to ride a motorcycle, you do not have to be a veteran – all you need is respect for those who placed their lives on the line for your freedom. In addition, we attend services ONLY at the invitation of the family. They must request our presence. Third, we do not “wave the flags”. We stand silently in line, holding our flags firmly erect as a sign of our deep respect for the fallen hero and for the banner which we hold. If “Uninvited Guests” show up, we simply close ranks in front of them, sheilding them from the family’s view with our flags and our bodies, but never acknowledging their presence. Should they start their hateful chants, we can drown them out by the roar of motorcycle engines, or by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance or other patriotic words in chorus. We will never acknowledge their presence. If they were to come up and spit in our faces, we would simply silently look right through them and sho no sign of recognition. We are peaceful and lawful. Another option open to members is that you may post a message to the family of a fallen hero on our web site to let them know of your support. Many members have joined only to do this, and have never attended a mission. As BA Critter correctly stated, to join all you need to do is go to , click on the very small blued “Register” link found there and take about a minute to fill out your registration. No fees, no dues. PGR = Pride, Gratitude, Respect.
Joe Ann
AMEN!!!
Wyoming PGR Ride Captain
I would like to add to Starwalkers post.At this time we have 156,900 members.We are as needed today as we were in 2005. I have had to form “the wal” to protect the family of a fallen hero more than once.It is with pride and honor that we stand in snow and sun for our fallen. I am a cager and as welcome(if not more so) as the riders. I carry the needed stuff inculing coolness and heat. Some day…I hope we are no longer needed….and can again become strangers on steel horses…….
Joe Ann
As a female PGR I feel there is no other way as a civilian and wife of a RET. VET that I ride my motorcycle for a purpose such as this.
Standing for hours during a funeral to hold the AMERICAN FLAG is nothing compared to the price the SOLDIERS (living and past) have given me.
GOD BLESS AMERICA and love ALL
Charles Taylor
Membership grew by one today. Just completed the process and look forward to participating with the other PGR members in support of the mission.
Semper Paratus.
SSgtJ
I thank God for each and every one of you. Wish we didn’t need you so bad … but sadly we do.
Thank you …
Greg (Pirate)
I am a member of the Michigan PGR having joined in 2005 and have been on several missions. I learned the very first mission that not one of my PGR brothers and sisters can hold back the tears. What we do is a small price to pay back to our Military men and women who put their lives on the line every day. They are ready no matter what the weather, be it hot, rainy or freezing cold to defend and protect this country and her citizens. The few hours of my time spent honoring them is small compared to what they do for me.
Standing for those who stood for us.
John
I am a retired Army Vet. I am looking for the PGR near Athens, Alabama. Thank you for all your help.
Eric
goto http://www.patriotguard.org and click on Leadership Contacts. It will give you the information you are looking for.
Shannon
this idiotic church group will be in MD on monday.. at cecil community college near perryville, MD. i dont know how big this group is. but i am hoping you can look into it and help this college. thank you for your time and everything you have done..
Shannon Murphy
Ft. Campbell, KY
i stood with you back in 06′
TURQUOISE TOM
… I AM AN AMERICAN VIETNAM VET BYKER IN THA SANTA BARBARA AREA , WARE DO I SIGN UP…LETS ROLL… ‘TURQUOISE TOM’ …
Kay
I proudly ride with the Patriot Guard in Minnesota, I am originally from Kentucky. I do this, because the Vets from Vietnam, did not get the honor they deserved and I don’t want this to EVER happen again. I love my Country and HONOR the Service People for keeping it my Country. May God Bless the Past and Present Soldiers. I think we should ship the phelps bunch a very remote part of Iraq, one way ticket of course.
Hawkeye1
I wonder if Mr Phleps realizes that if it weren’t for those American Soldiers that he wouldn’t be allowed to protest. The Rev. Phelps is getting his glory here on earth so there for him, if he makes it to heaven, there will be no rewards waiting for him. Only a bunch of American Soldiers standing at the gate for him to face. I wonder how he will feel then. I think when he dies we should all go and protest his life. But that would be stooping to his level and I can’t see us doing that. So Mr. Phelps enjoy your rewards here on earth.
Bjorn
I am a member of the Kansas Patriot Guard not more than 60 miles away from the Phelps church. I also served in our military and served as a civilian in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. I know and witnessed first hand the thankless job our young men and women in uniform did and continue to do in that part of the world. I know the conditions they worked under and am amazed by their stamina, dedication, selflessness, and honorable service. So, when one falls, in a very real way I feel for them and their families and I will not stand by and allow them to be dishonored by those whom they swore their lives to protect. Our military keeps the home front secure and they bring hope to those who would have none without them – hope is an invaluable gift – just ask someone who has felt hopeless. While the Phelps church hids behind the freedoms for which our soldiers die, I and my brothers in the guard will stand up for that same freedom and express ourselves with loud tail pipes and cheers of support. God bless our military and those who serve their fellow man…a God bless America.