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Posted on 12/25/2005 6:54:01 AM PST by paltz
Several people have asked how the Patriot Guard Riders got started. Here’s what we’ve been able to piece together. If anyone can give us more details, it would be greatly appreciated.
It all started back in early August of 2005 with the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas. They were appalled to hear that a fallen hero’s memory was being tarnished by misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals. They decided to do something about it. At the ALR 136 August meeting, Director : Chuck " Pappy " Barshney appointed members, Terry “Darkhorse” Houck, Cregg “Bronco 6” Hansen, Steve “McDaddy” McDonald, and Bill ”Wild Bill” Logan to form a committee to strategize and form a battle plan to combat Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church.
When they heard that the WBC was going to protest at the Funeral of Sgt. John Doles in Chelsea, Oklahoma, they established a Mission Statement, which included getting the families permission and contacting Law Enforcement and other Motorcycle Groups in Oklahoma. They agreed that their ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle organizations involved in every state so that each state could handle the situation internally and not rely on other states to do the job. They were very successful in mustering riders to honor Sgt. Doles and limiting the intrusion by the WBC.
After the Chelsea Mission the Kansas American Legion Riders wanted all Motorcycle Groups/ Organizations to be recongnized . On the 18th of Oct. 2005 the Patriot Guard name was established and was announced on the 27th of Oct. ,2005 to the 100 + motorcyclists present at the Tonganoxie Mission to Honor Spc Lucas Frantz .
Following the missions in South Haven, KS and a later ride in Edmond, OK, Jeff “Twister” Brown, from Broken Arrow, OK, decided to do more than just ride. He saw a need to get a strong nation-wide communications and recruiting program in place. He contacted the original AL riders in Kansas and told them of his plans. They openly shared their experiences, suggestions, and encouragement. Within a matter of days, Brown had formed the Patriot Guard Riders and began a nation-wide campaign to garner support.
Similarly, after a mission ride in Greeley, CO, Hugh Knaus and Jason “Waldo” Wallin answered the call of the newly formed Patriot Guard Riders, becoming the national webmaster and communications director, respectively. Within a matter of days, a mission statement was refined and a website was built, rebuilt, and launched. A call immediately went out to individual riders and groups across the nation to join and ride with the PGR. State Captains were recruited to work more closely with the members in their area.
The growth has been phenomenal. Within a week their membership included many riders from associations like the VFW, American Legion, Rolling Thunder, ABATE, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Intruder Alert, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, and almost five hundred individual riders. To the credit of Hugh and “Waldo”, the PGR website had received almost 566,000 hits in the first two weeks! Patriots from all over America and several foreign countries responded. Emails were pouring in from people wanting to support and join the newly formed PGR.
So, that’s a pretty concise picture of where we came from and where we are today. A great deal of credit goes to that small group of Kansas American Legion Riders, but none of this could have ever been accomplished without the patriot member who takes time out of their life to honor a fallen soldier and their family.
Outstanding!
Varoooom!
I wonder if they let Beemer riders participate? If they do, count me in.
I wonder if they let Beemer riders participate? If they do, count me in.
'Course you can! But, you have to use the playing cards/spokes routine, so you can make sounds like the big boyz.
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I belong the the Legion Riders , but I ride a Yamaha.
My Harley got tired and I couldnt afford $22,000 for a new one. After buying the used Cruiser Yamaha for 7 Grand I wondered what took so long. I still like the Harley better but damn: Those Japs make some great motorcycles. Two years later I just change the oil and put new tires on it.
-LOUD PIPES CLOSE ROADS-
I seriously they doubt they'd exclude you.
My Softail's an '87. Got it about 5 years ago. It's a lot like me, stubborn at times; been around, and down, at times; old; many parts worn out; but still fun at a fever pitch on good days.
I'll just close my eyes and pretend that I'm riding a HOG instead of a Honda scoot ;o)
Now I'm going to confess an ugly secret. Let's just keep this within FR. When I really want to get a quick thrill, I keep an old 2-stroke Yamaha riceburner in the garage. It sounds like Satan's weed eater and belches blue smoke, but it sure will put a silly smile on your face, real quick. There's nothing like pouring excessive quantities of gas, oil and air into a peaky 2-stroke to make you realize how small life's problems really are. Life is good. I gotta get some more synthetic oil in case a warm day comes along.
Do the shirt thing and they'll let you join. :)
That's why I can never own a hog, got no nickname.
my classic has drag pipes with no baffels
Well you can put any pipes on there you want, but here in North GA, lots of the best riding roads and even neighborhoods are being zoned 'no motorcycles allowed' or being heavily policed due to loud pipes. The non riders don't want the thunder. I got no thunder, but still I get lumped in with them.
You just uncovered the secret of ridin'. It can get to be pretty close to heaven, under the right circumstances. But, it is truly h*ll, if things go wrong. Just like life, only compacted into the time on the seat.
If the legislators really discover this true joy, it will probably be made illegal. Or maybe they'll discover what freedom is all about.
At 50 I still ride sport bikes, but I do have a callsign/nickname and lots of black motorcycle t-shirts. I think I qualify.
Is the American Motorcycle Association stepping in on this? Its fairly hard to close public roads just for noise. That said, I am seeing more sentiment in the riding community for the phrase "Loud pipes Lose Rights"
As to private communities, Neal Boortz recently said many Atlanta neighborhoods with covenants have been going motorcycle free lately due to noise complaints.
It's not only noise, it's also stupid riders. On GA hwy 180, the twistiest road I know, every weekend has several young street racers going off the side of a hill or trying to meld their molecules with a minivan. I can appreciate the thrill of racing, but ya just can't do it on public roads in most cases. Eventually the odds are gonna get ya.
Riders need to be sure they are not making too many enemies out there. I don't really blame the rural residents for complaining because they moved out there for the peace and quiet, and they don't want to get in a wreck with some street racer. When I ride in the country, I try to respect the locals and my own mortality.
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