Patriot Guard Riders

[totalmotorcycle]

Patriot Guard Riders Revved up to serve and protect shielding families from military protesters
Monday, January 8, 2007 - By ZAK MAZUR - GM Today Staff - West Bend Daily News - gmtoday.com



Patriot Guard Riders proceed from the staging area to Capt. Kevin Kryst’s funeral. It’s free to join the group, which shields the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by protesters.

When Todd Frangquist heard that members of the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church were protesting at the funerals of fallen U.S. soldiers, he became enraged.

"Literally, the first thoughts that came into my mind would have had me spending the rest of my life in prison," said Frangquist, who has a son in the Marines serving in Iraq.

Like many others, Frangquist was appalled by the actions of the Westboro members, who came to West Bend Dec. 29 to protest at the funeral of Marine Capt. Kevin Kryst. Frangquist wanted to counter the hateful protests in a legal and non- violent manner.

Then he learned about the Patriot Guard Riders, whose reason for existence is to shield grieving families from the Westboro protesters.

"I had heard about them while my son was still stateside," he said. "I am glad (there is) a peaceful method that came about to (counter the protesters)."

The Patriot Guard Riders formed in early August 2005 in Kansas in response to reports that funerals of fallen soldiers were being desecrated by members of the Westboro church, which is not affiliated with traditional, mainline Baptist organizations.

Membership across the county has grown. Joining is free and owning a motorcycle is not a prerequisite, although most Patriot Guard Riders are motorcycle riders. Patriot Guard members only gather at funerals at the request of the bereaved families.


Like Frangquist, Jim Goeldner, a West Bend firefighter, was appalled when he heard that protesters were attempting to disrupt funerals of fallen soldiers.

"I heard about (the Patriot Guard Riders) about five or six months ago," he said. "It was on the news about some protesters disrupting funerals and some Harley riders were shielding (the mourners), keeping the families from being disrupted from negative publicity."

When Todd Miller of West Bend learned about the Westboro protesters, he didn’t have violent thoughts, but he did get nauseous.

"It actually made me sick to my stomach that they could protest at funerals," said Miller.

"It made no sense to me at all. I did an Internet search about (Rev. Fred Phelps Sr. of the Westboro group) and why he was doing this and I came on to the Patriot Guard Rider’s Web site. I was happy to see that somebody was doing something to oppose this guy, but to do it in a manner that pays respect to the fallen soldiers."

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders receive e-mails informing them about military funerals where the Westboro protesters might be present. Riders in the area, and sometimes from other states, then gather at the funeral, hold large American flags and form a human shield to keep the protesters out of eyesight of the funeral mourners. When the protesters sing loudly, Patriot Guard Riders rev the engines of their bikes.

"It turned out the (protest) in West Bend was close, so I did a little bit of legwork," said Goeldner. "I contacted the (Police Depart-ment) so they would not be surprised."

And also so the police could enforce a law specifically written to keep the Westboro protesters 300 feet from funerals.

When the Patriot Group Riders first congregated at Kryst’s funeral there were about 75, but in the span of three hours some 45 passersby joined.

"Whatever the family wishes, we’ll do," said Goeldner. "Most families aren’t aware of the protesters because the Patriot Guard Riders (are) blocking (them)."

Goeldner was also largely responsible for organizing the helicopter flyover of Kryst’s funeral by the 832nd Air Ambulance Company based at the West Bend Municipal Airport.

"I made some phone calls to another firefighter and phone calls were made to the Pentagon and we got permission," he said. "It was an easy favor to ask for a fellow pilot."