Patriot Riders salute the fallen. Group honors soldiers across state at funerals.

Dressed in black leather, in fatigues, in jeans, and yellow "Patriot Guard Riders" armbands, they come to honor the dead. And they come to let family members know their loved one's sacrifice will not go unnoticed.

On Friday, it was this small southeastern Wisconsin community mourning the loss of a native son to battle. For the men and women on Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, Kawasakis and even a yellow scooter, their journey to Watertown to take part in Marine Cpl. Matthew Zindars' final journey was a way to honor someone most of them did not know.

Jack Standley Sr. of Palmyra never met Zindars, but it didn't matter. An Air Force veteran, he drove his yellow Polaris Victory to Luther Preparatory School and stood along the driveway holding a flag as the hearse carrying Zindars' body drove up and an honor guard slowly pushed the flag-draped casket into the school's gymnasium.

This was Standley's 19th "honors mission." On his black leather vest were 18 small blue metal tags that read "Patriot Guard Riders. Mission Accomplished" for each time he has taken part in a military funeral. Soon a 19th metal tag, for Zindars, will be added to his vest.

"The Patriot Guard Riders are great," Standley said. "We don't know what people do, we don't know their religious aspirations - it doesn't matter. We're here to honor the soldier."

Carrying 3-foot-by-5-foot American flags, the Patriot Guard Riders have shown up at every funeral of fallen Wisconsin military members since fall 2005, when the organization was formed as a buffer to a small group of protesters from a Kansas church that showed up at military funerals. About 1,400 belong to Wisconsin's chapter; nationally Patriot Guard Riders number more than 100,000, said Wisconsin captain John Curran, who made the two-hour drive Friday morning from his Dodgeville home on a Honda Goldwing.

Curran sends e-mails to members with details for each Wisconsin military funeral.

On Friday, more than 60 motorcyclists, mostly from Wisconsin but some from Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kansas, showed up in the school's parking lot at 8:30 a.m. to prepare for the arrival of Zindars' body at 9:40.

No protesters picketed at Zindars' funeral, though there have been protests at a few funerals in Wisconsin.

Some brought their own flags, others used Stars and Stripes passed out by the Patriot Guard Riders and took up positions along the sidewalk, standing in the hot sun as mourners walked by. Several mourners looked at the long rows of motorcyclists holding flapping flags and stopped to say thanks.

"These are the sad ones, the funerals. The 'welcome homes' are great, everyone is smiling," said John Tenuta, a retired Kenosha County Sheriff's deputy who drove his 2000 Harley Softail to "welcome home" ceremonies in Oak Creek for a Wisconsin National Guard unit last month.

A few minutes after the funeral ended, the Patriot Guard Riders started up their motorcycles and slowly rumbled off to lead the black hearse carrying Zindars to a cemetery on the outskirts of Watertown.

They drove past families clutching small American flags on sidewalks, past Family Video, Rick's Auto Repair and Craft Castle. They drove past Hardee's and the sign that said, "We are proud of your service. Thanks Matt." They traveled past motels and churches and cornfields and stopped on the road next to the cemetery.

Mike Weaver, an Army medic in Vietnam, guided the flag carriers to Zindars' final resting place to make a "circle of comfort" around the crowd of mourners. "We want the family to feel the support and see all the flags," said Weaver, of Kaukauna.

After a Marine bugler played taps and a Marine honor guard fired a 21-gun salute and two bagpipers played "Amazing Grace," the funeral ended.

The Patriot Guard Riders folded up their flags, started their motorcycles and drove away, one by one.

Looks like PGR is going to be in McKinney TX this Saturday.

The PGR has been invited to participate in the Forever Free patriotic celebration. This will be one of the largest activities that the North Texas PGR has been invite to participate in, with an expected attendance in excess of 25,000 people. Television advertising will begin on Monday, August 6th, with ads appearing on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and many other prime time ads.
What is Forever Free?
When - Saturday, August 11th; 1700 - 2145 (5 PM to 9:45 PM)
Where - Myers Park , 7117 CR 166, McKinney , TX
Gates open at 1600 (4 PM) with the program beginning at 1700.
PARKING - $5.00
Special Government & Military Speakers
Celebrities
F-18 Fly Over, CH-47 Chinook, 2 Apache Attack Helicopters
Other Military Equipment for Static Display
A custom Harley, beautifully restored in memory of LCPL Louis Qualls, USMC, who was from Temple
The Liberty Bell
Fireworks
Barney and Me Boxing
Youth Interactive Activities
Come early to preview the helicopters and vintage military equipment
Fun, food and drinks for the entire family
Bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating
Coolers allowed but NO alcoholic beverages
Entertainment by Stephen Cochran and Matt Snook from Nashville
Also featuring McKinney Community Band
For more info about the event, they ask you to visit www.professionalsportsmarketing.com or www.unitedweservemil.org. And, again, when we get the itinerary from the RC, you’ll have
The Mission: To meet 80 plus wounded soldiers arriving on a C-130 cargo plane at McKinney Airport ( Collin County Regional Airport, 1500 E. Industrial, McKinney TX) at 3:00 pm, to stand a double flag line (100 flags) for the soldiers exiting the plane to the bus staging area. Accompanying the soldiers will be 6 Generals, an Admiral, and other noted dignitaries. Lead the buses to the Crosspoint Church on Stonebridge Drive , for a private performance of the nights entertainers and reception from the church. Then to lead the buses to Myers Park to arrive prior to 5:00pm.
Special Note: We will have a 12 year old boy suffering from a brain tumor who will be riding with us on this mission. His name is Brandon Barta. He has undergone two surgeries and recently attend his Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. His Uncle is a career soldier stationed in Germany . He loves motorcycles and I have invited him to ride with us. The people with Forever Free have asked him to be a part of the activities, and they are even planning a helicopter ride for him.
Ride Captain: Robert “Knighthawk” Coffman pgr-knighthawk@sbcglobal.net Cell 214-726-5500
Road Guard Captain: Bill “Starz” Watkins pgrstarz@sbcglobal.net
We have been asked to assist McKinney Police Department in escort duties.
Lights are required.
Staging: McKinney Airport ( Collin County Regional Airport , 1500 E. Industrial, McKinney Tx ), from 1:45pm to 2:15pm. Motorcycles will be staged on arrival to be able to follow buses as they leave the airport. Big flag bikes will lead the buses. I am hoping for at least 10 to 12 big flag bikes. Rider briefing will begin at 2:30pm, with flag line in place and ready to extend to the plane ramp upon its arrival. Immediately follow the soldiers boarding the buses, the flag line will be broken down and riders will move to their bikes.
McKinney Airport: Take the Eldorado Exit east off US 75 (Central Expressway). Eldorado will turn into Industrial and run into the entrance of the airport.
Parking at Myers Park : There will be a special area for the PGR to park. There will be no charge for PGR Parking.
Weather: Welcome to Texas summer. It will be Hot-Hot-Hot! Start hydrating the night before, and continue throughout the day.
Bring Flag poles and Flags if you have them. The Support Trucks will be there with 100 flags and water/Gatorade.
This is a very special opportunity for us to show our respect and gratitude to these soldiers who have served our country.
All cages, bikes and bike groups are welcome.

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