Heros Protecting Heros--With my Gratitude

On this 14th day of gratitude

I am grateful for

The Patriot Guard. 

The Patriot Guard was formed in 

Mulvane, Kansas, in 2005.

The Patriot Guard was originally formed

to serve as a protective shield to families

who had lost a loved one that was serving 

in the war. 

There is another group in Kansas that, ironically,

uses their religion to protest at funerals.

Far from a religious group that they proclaim to be, they

only spout hate messages.

This group has the audacity to 

protest at the funerals of our fallen soldiers.

Again ironically, they are protesting at the 

funerals of the very men and women that

are giving them the right to protest!

This is where the Patriot Guard steps in.

Instead of spewing the same hate message as the 

"religious group"

they surround and shield the family and friends

of the fallen soldier. 

They come to the funeral on their motorcycles

donned in an array of flags.

When the "religious" group begins to 

shout their obscenities (yes, obscenities)

the Patriot Guard 

rev up the engines of their motorcycles.

They have figured a way to beat the

"religious" group

at their own game.

What started in Kansas to protect 

a couple of families,

has turned in to a 

nation wide phenomenon.

The Patriot Guard now 

boasts over 200,000 members.

I have personally seen the group 

several times, and

each time, 

just the sight of them 

proudly 

protecting

people

they have never met

brings me to tears.

This week there was a decorated young soldier

laid to rest in a small Oklahoma town.

He left behind a young wife and children.

Once again,

the "religious" group

showed up to shout their hate-mongering words.

Once again,

the Patriot Guard was there

to surround, shield and love the family.

For the Patriot Guard, created out of need to a

bad situation,

I will always be proud and grateful

for the work they do.

In a final (what I perceive as humorous) twist, 

at the funeral of the heroic soldier 

this week,

when the religious group got back to their caravan,

the van of their leader was found to have four flat tires.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20101114_11_A12_CUTLIN105145&allcom=1

 

They soon found their tires were beyond repair (hmmmmm).

But the citizens of this small Oklahoma town

found their own way to 

take care of the "religious group".

No one in the town would fix the tires,

or sell new tires

to the "religious" group.

Seems just as there is Freedom of Speech

for the "religious group"

there is also the "Right to refuse sales"

to anyone that store owners so deem.

Back at 'ya "religious" zealots.

Seems the country-bumpkins from

Kansas and Oklahoma 

are smarter than 

a lot of people think!

If you ever have a chance to see the Patriot Guard

be sure and tell them

how grateful we are

for their service as well!