Patriot Guard Riders

Nov. 11, 2007, 9:07AM
STANDING BEHIND FAMILIES
A moving tribute to the fallen
Patriot riders driven to show families that `America cares'

By ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Memories of her son's military funeral are clouded by anguish and tears.

But among the images that remain vivid for Maria Salgado is the sight of Patriot Guard Riders escorting the hearse of her 20-year-old son, Marine Cpl. Benjamin Salgado Rosales, who was killed in Iraq last year.

"They were like angels in the road," Salgado said of the motorcycle riders.

Mary Kay Edwards has similar sentiments about the Patriot Guard members at the funeral of her son, Pfc. William L. Edwards, 23, who died Aug. 11 in Iraq.

"I just couldn't have handled protesters," Edwards said.

During each "mission," Patriot Guard Riders do what their name implies. Armed with American flags, they guard patriots killed in the line of duty, rumbling alongside their remains and standing watch at ceremonies. They remain fiercely devoted to their objective that no one disturb the final tribute.

For full story go to http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5291916.html