Why I Ride with the PGR

Today is Memorial Day- a day that we remember that freedom is NOT free. As a whole, we tend to take our freedom for granted. However, there are many men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice- their lives- so that we can be free to do what we choose to do. 

Today, I want to tell you a little bit about a group of bikers that my husband and I ride with. The news lately has been colored by how bad and how violent bikers are. We hear about bikers killing people and about bikers causing riots. However, the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is anything but violent. 

Here's some information from the PGR website: 

Our Mission

“The Patriot Guard Riders is a 100% Volunteer, Federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans.”


Our Vision
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security including Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:
1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.

See, we're a group that stands for those who stood- and gave their lives for- us. This is an amazing group of men and women and I am proud to say that I am a part of them. Today, all across the nation, there were rides going on for Memorial Day. My husband & I were honored to be part of two missions: one in Daphne, AL at the Belforest Catholic Cemetery and in Spanish Fort, AL at the Veteran's Cemetery. 

We stand a flag line at the funerals of veterans and for events that are intended to remind us to reflect on and remember the sacrifice that the men and women of the military have given. 

I ride with the PGR because I want to stand for those who have stood for us- who have fought for our freedoms. I encourage you to thank a veteran today- and everyday. Don't take your freedoms for granted. Many have given their lives so that you can be free. Riding with the PGR is the least I can do to show my thanks to these veterans and their families. 

My husband and I have officially been riding with this group for a year now and I look forward to many more rides with them! We are standing for those who stood for us!

With Love, 

Krista