Gallatin, MO - The ride of their life — Patriot Guard honor, shield our fallen heroes

OFF THE WIRE
 gallatinnorthmissourian.com
Bruce Bridgman presented a program March 1, at the Gallatin Baptist Church to introduce the public to the mission and meaning of the Patriot Guard.
Bruce and several other area citizens show their support for the men and women of the military by taking it to the streets — they belong to an organization of diverse riders from across the nation called the Patriot Guard Riders.
These riders have little to nothing in common. Only one thing is required to belong....an unwavering respect for those who have served and continue to serve our country. Patriot Guard members are veterans and civilians, democrats and republicans, old and young, male and female, rich and poor, on two wheels and four, from any race and religion — it makes no difference.
Bruce served during the Vietnam War, 1965-1969. His wife Shelia is also a member as are his son Jeff and grandson Jeffrey. The Bridgman’s have been riding with the Patriot Guard since 2009.
"There’s no politics involved," Bruce said. "We have only one agenda. And that’s to honor our fallen American heroes."
The Patriot Guard was formed in response to the funeral pickets being carried out by the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas. This group of worshipers believe the deaths of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are divine retribution for American tolerance of homosexuality.
The Patriot Guard shields the mourning family and friends from interruptions caused by those kinds of demonstrators.
Though the Supreme Court has ruled that such protests are legal, Bruce said, towns and cities can compel and confine the protestors to certain limited areas by requiring "permits."
Though the temptation by some of the more rough and ready riders may be to "bust heads" the goals of the Patriot Guard are accomplished through legal and non-violent means. Some of those means, however, involve some real American ingenuity.
Bruce recited a couple of scenes he’d been there to witness: At a military funeral in Monet, Mo., a highway patrolman pulled over a semi truck loaded with hogs and performed a lengthy inspection right in front of a group of protestors; In Weston, Mo., a fire truck pulled up in front of the picketers and unfurled an American flag as big as a building.
The Patriot Guard Riders initially attended the funerals of the armed forces members, but their "missions" have extended to include, upon the family’s request and under their direction, the funerals of firemen, policemen and EMTs. About the only thing they don’t do is parades, because there would just be too many of them.
Bruce has been in 67 rides since he started. He has also ridden to honor veterans returning home from the Honor Flight, a program that provides a plane trip and escort for WWII veterans to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C.
He’s been to sendoffs and homecomings for those in the service.
There are about 257,000 members across the country and the number grows every year.
The Patriot Guard Riders is not a motorcycle club and you don’t have to ride a motorcycle to be a member. "Cages" or cars and trucks are welcome. Nor do you have to be a member of the military.
Many of the riders have served in the military. Bruce, who received a cold and hostile welcome after his return from Vietnam, is among those from the military who have vowed that never again would America’s warriors be treated with anything but the most sincere respect and admiration.
Bruce recalls attending a funeral service in Parkview of a young man who took his own life after returning from the war in the Middle East. His mother was surprised to see the Patriot Guard Riders drive up.
"Unless you’ve been through it yourself, you can’t know what the horror of war is like and how hard it is to come home after," said Bruce. "Just because her son couldn’t adjust and committed suicide makes him no less a hero. His mother was overwhelmed to see the Patriot Guard there. We made a hard time for her a little better."
Another memorable ride for Bruce was the time 500 from the Patriot Guard showed up to escort the Vietnam Wall to Blue Springs. They had to close down I-70.
"I looked in my mirror and there were motorcycles and flags flying as far down the highway as I could see," he said.
The events attended by the Patriot Guard Riders are called "missions." They are done so at no cost to the honoree. Everyone is welcome to sign up at the website at www.patriotguardriders.org and join.
Bring your patriotism, bring your pride, but above all things, bring your respect.
"See what the mission is and go," said Bruce.