Patriot Guard Riders are common sight in Beaufort County. Who are they and who can join?

For most veterans and their families, the sacred honor of serving in the military is over once they no longer wear the uniform. But for a group of veterans, veteran spouses and others, it is not over by a long shot.

These are the South Carolina Patriot Guard Riders, who choose to continue serving selflessly in the nonprofit that pays respect at memorial services for veterans and first responders. They ride in front of funeral processions, at military send-offs and welcome home ceremonies.

Clad in leather vests adorned with the PGR emblem and hats indicating their branch of service, seven men gathered to talk to an Island Packet reporter were, at times, comical, serious and humble while they talked about their missions, as they call their rides.

For Jon Watkins, an Air Force veteran who served 20 years collectively on active duty and in the National Guard, the reason for his participation is simple.

“In the military, you are your brother’s keeper. The person standing there beside you might keep you from getting killed. You gotta take that real serious,” he said. “I think about the fact that one day, that will be me lying there.”

History of the Patriot Guard

Founded in 2005, the Patriot Guard Riders has chapters throughout the country. The need for the organization grew as a response to protests at the funerals for fallen service members.

“It has since evolved to seeing service members off on deployments, as well as welcome home ceremonies,” said Ray Richards, assistant state captain and treasurer.

The riders, in the early days, aimed to protect families from protesters in a non-physical manner, avoiding conflict.

“We would use our motorcycles as a blockade, and we would stand quietly with our flags,” Richards said.

Of late, the disruptions at military funerals has waned.

“We are not seeing protesters anymore,” Richards said.

One of the misconceptions is that a Patriot Guard Rider has to be in the military, military-affiliated or have a motorcycle. The only requirement, Richards said, is standing by the mission of honoring the fallen. Members are from all walks of life.

“Anyone can become a member. It is absolutely free,” said Richards. His wife is an Air Force Reserve veteran activated during Vietnam and now is also a Patriot Guard Rider.

During October, the South Carolina riders had 16 missions. One memorable welcome home ceremony was last-minute.

“We didn’t know this other (soldier) was coming, and there were only five of us with our flags,” said Vietnam veteran Ray Giuliano.

They waited with the service member’s wife and daughter to greet him.

“As I saw him walking toward his family, I yelled for everyone to, ‘Please help me welcome home a soldier.’ The whole place starts clapping, and the guy’s face just lit up,” Giuliano said. “It was worth every single mile.“

Military choices then and now

While discussing their respective military paths, members of the group were asked if they would serve again, and if there’s anything they would do differently.

“I’ve been asked that question before, and I didn’t know how to answer it,” said Air Force retiree Dave Dence, who served during Vietnam, “because I don’t know if I would. And now it’s advertised for seniors to join the military.”

He had his own question, delivered with a laugh: “Do I have to go through the basic training again?”

Dence said he does not want to see war again.

“War? I know what war is, and it is scary,” he said. “Now that we have skirmishes going on again, I’d have to think twice about going back in.”

Dave Rickman, also a Vietnam veteran, served in the Marines for four years and wishes he had extended his career.

“I would definitely do it again, and I am proud to have done it,” he said. “At this point, having lived my life, I would have considered staying in.”

For more information about the South Carolina Patriot Guard riders, go to their website or patriotguard.org