A 4th of July message:
True Patriots
By Rep. Adrian Smith
As we celebrate the Fourth of July, it is fitting we should honor those patriots past and present. This Independence Day is an opportunity for us to recognize the many families in our country with loved ones in harm's way in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere fighting for our freedom and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to safeguard our future. We owe these members of our Armed Forces more than we can possibly express.
It is when the soldiers of our military are laid to rest that a new generation of patriots - patriots who ride motorcycles instead of horses - rise to the occasion to ensure those we lost on the battlefield are honored with the solemnity and dignity we owe them.
The Patriot Guard Riders began in 2005 when American Legion Riders from Mulvane, Kansas, responded to protesters disrupting funerals of service members. Calling themselves the "Patriot Guard" and appearing at the request of families, these motorcycle riders organized supporters to peacefully wave American flags and serve as a barrier between the families of our heroes and the shameful picketers who dare disgrace the dead.
This movement led to the formation of a nationwide network of tens of thousands of members - including veterans and non-veterans, riders and non-riders - known as the "Patriot Guard Riders." They take it upon themselves to attend funeral services of fallen service members to show their respect and to shield families from interruptions created by those so self-absorbed they actually protest and picket a funeral procession of a soldier.
Often times the Patriot Guard Riders do not know the fallen soldiers or even their families, yet they travel across states with no motive other than to make sure communities are able to mourn in peace.
These thousands of volunteers from across the country work to preserve the dignity of military services and allow families and friends the peaceful time of mourning they deserve. They only come when invited by the family, and they only use peaceful methods to accomplish their goals.
In their own words, they "have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security...We don't care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you're a 'hawk' or a 'dove.'...The only prerequisite is Respect."
The Patriot Guard Riders are the true standard bearers of 'Patriot.' It has been an honor to meet some of their members, and to tell them how much what they do means to the families and the mourners who pay their respects to our fallen heroes.
This Independence Day, please join me in honoring not only those who sacrifice to safeguard our freedom, but also those who ride with them as they are laid to rest.
For more information on the Patriot Guard Riders, please visit their website at www.patriotguard.org
Strangers on Steel Horses
