 | |
| Abbreviation | PGR |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founded at | Mulvane, Kansas |
| Type | 501(c)(3) registered |
Region | United States of America |
Membership | 329,696 (2011)[1] |
| Website | www.patriotguard.org |
The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is an organization based in the United States whose members attend the funerals of members of the U.S. military and first responders at the invitation of a decedent's family.[2][3][4][5]
The group forms a voluntary honor guard at military burials, helps protect mourners from harassment and fills out the ranks at burials of indigent and homeless veterans. In addition to attending funerals, the group also greets troops returning from overseas at homecoming celebrations and performs volunteer work for veteran's organizations such as Veterans Homes.
The organization is open to any persons, regardless of political affiliation, veteran status, or whether or not they ride motorcycles, as long as they have "a deep respect for those who serve our country".
Some media reports have referred to the PGR as a motorcycle club.[6][7][8] Patriot Guard Riders' representatives state that they are "not a motorcycle club", but an "Internet-based organization" and "communication system" by which members are informed of funeral events.[9][10][11][12]
- ^ As of April 23, 2011 Patriot Guard Riders, Membership: Overall (user accounts registered at web site), archived from the original on September 28, 2011
- ^ Patriot Guard honors fallen soldiers at funerals. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. By Erin Gibson Allen. 1-3-2008.
- ^ Guard' pays respects, shields spectators at funeral. By BRET LIEBENDORFER. 9-23-2009. Archived April 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Westboro Baptist fuels free speech debate. By Byron Wilkes. 9-23-2009. Archived September 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Murret, Patricia (February 16, 2007). "Gay Haters Protest at Funeral of Female Marine Killed in Iraq". Capital News Service. Archived from the original on February 20, 2007.
- ^ "NBC 4 to Present Coverage of Veterans Day Parade, 11/11 2010/11/10". WNBC. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
hundreds of Veteran motorcyclists including the Rolling Thunder, Nam Knights, Patriot Guard and Legion Riders Motor Cycle clubs.
- ^ "Deadline for Honor Flight Birmingham approaching fast for vets". al.com. December 28, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
The Patriot Guard Riders -- a motorcycle club that often attends military funerals
- ^ "Trip to Arlington National Cemetery special for Bern Twp. couple". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club
- ^ Wright, Kimberly. "Ride of respect: Patriot Guard Riders comfort the living, honor the dead". Maxwell Air Force Base. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "Mr. Reynolds emphasized that the organization is not a motorcycle club."
- ^ Sullivan, Julie (December 5, 2009). "Patriot Guard Riders make sure those who serve are honored in life -- and death". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 4, 2011. ""We're not a motorcycle club," Loun said. "We're an Internet-based organization that comes together when it's needed. After that, we all go back to our own lives."
- ^ Ruggles, Rick (August 15, 2010). "Thunderous tribute". Omaha.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "It's not a motorcycle club but rather a communication system, Knudsen said, by which members are informed of funerals, sendoffs and other events."
- ^ Spitz, Julia (March 8, 2009). "The leader of a very proud pack". The Milford Daily News. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "We're an organization, not a motorcycle club. We have no meetings. We have no dues. The only time we get together is for mission planning or missions. Almost all our communication is through the Web site or e-mail."