Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

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.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

http://patriotguard.org/OurMission/tabid/60/Default.aspx

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

All political groups should keep clear of funerals which are first and foremost family affairs. Including this one.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

Invited guests of the family. That's the difference. They have repect.

edit: you ooze liberal don't you fishy?

Edited March 14, 2006 by rch99

[Fandango 1,440]

I think they do a great service...I've read about them before. They go all over the country.

I agree with Fishdude that pol groups should steer clear of funerals. If they did, this group wouldn't have to do what they do. No one should be chanting war views at a grieving family....that's plain disgusting.

[almaty 19]

i also agree..politics has no place and a place where the family grieves,,,

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

Invited guests of the family. That's the difference. They have repect.

edit: you ooze liberal don't you fishy?

Not really. They claim respect and being 'non-partisan', but they clearly have a political agenda. Let the family deal with their loss - all the political groups should ###### off.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

Invited guests of the family. That's the difference. They have repect.

edit: you ooze liberal don't you fishy?

Not really. They claim respect and being 'non-partisan', but they clearly have a political agenda. Let the family deal with their loss - all the political groups should ###### off.

Unless, of course, the guests are invited by the family, right Fishy?

Or does it piss you off so much that anti-war a$$holes aren't allowed to attend that you feel the need to deprive the family of the right to invite who they choose?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family.

Invited guests of the family. That's the difference. They have repect.

edit: you ooze liberal don't you fishy?

Not really. They claim respect and being 'non-partisan', but they clearly have a political agenda. Let the family deal with their loss - all the political groups should ###### off.

Unless, of course, the guests are invited by the family, right Fishy?

Or does it piss you off so much that anti-war a$$holes aren't allowed to attend that you feel the need to deprive the family of the right to invite who they choose?

Not really. Both groups are as bad as each other IMO.

[Fandango 1,440]

Right, cos people holding up signs saying 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers' are the same as invited guests trying to shield the grieving family from such hatred.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Right, cos people holding up signs saying 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers' are the same as invited guests trying to shield the grieving family from such hatred.....

They're two parts of the same bullshit argument.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Right, cos people holding up signs saying 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers' are the same as invited guests trying to shield the grieving family from such hatred.....

They're two parts of the same bullshit argument.

That argument is??

What part of invited guests don't you understand?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Right, cos people holding up signs saying 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers' are the same as invited guests trying to shield the grieving family from such hatred.....

They're two parts of the same bullshit argument.

That argument is??

What part of invited guests don't you understand?

Families losing a loved one shouldn't be subjected to hatred from 'anti-war' or 'anti-gay' activists, neither should they feel a need to employ, or "Invite" (though that raises the question in my mind of who actually approaches who..) similar activists to preserve their dignity.

Its another example of the polarisation of debate in this country, people are so militant on one side or another that there's no middle ground for real discussion.

This argument for example, is quite common.

We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security.

I don't agree with the Patriotic rose-tinted view that America's soldiers in the middle-east are defending America's freedom and security. If you don't agree with GWB's policies pertaining to the 'War on Terror', its very hard to support the actions of the military who are carrying it out. The fact that US troops are being killed on an almost daily basis, is extremely unfortunate (with apologies for the euphemism) - but that doesn't mean we should abandon the very legitimate questions about why our troops are in Iraq (for example) in the first place.

Hiding behind patriotic fervour is simply a way of avoiding dealing with those issues, IMO.

That argument is quite separate from the religious nutters claiming that the dead soldiers are God's vengeance for defending gays. Those people are just crazy.

Edited March 14, 2006 by Fishdude

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Right, cos people holding up signs saying 'Thank God for Dead Soldiers' are the same as invited guests trying to shield the grieving family from such hatred.....

At least we are being honest.

[chocolaterie 0]

if the grieving family chooses to have these riders at the funeral than its their choice. Just like if I had a close relative who died in combat and some hate group showed up at his/her funeral I would be armed with a paintball gun. Because... that would be my choice.

[pax 0]

I think that if the family has asked the group to be there, that should be the end of it.