FAQ
Hopefully the following FAQ’s will answer all of your questions but, if not, feel free to ask a member and we’ll try to help.
Q. HOW DO I JOIN THE PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS?
A. What you will need to do is go to the main National PGR website at: PatriotGuard.org and create yourself an account / membership there first. Then you’ll need to join our local mailing list so that we can contact you about Missions.
You can do both by going back to the main page and following the steps there.
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Q. ARE THERE ANY DUES OR MEMBERSHIP FEES?
A. No, membership is free. PGR is funded through purchases made from the PGR store, public donations, member donations and member businesses who donate.
Q. WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON A MISSION?
A. This is a time of mourning and it is be very emotional for the family, community and the PGR members. It can get overwhelming so just let it flow. You will see many of your fellow members in tears or otherwise greatly affected. Don’t hesitate to give a hug or offer a hand. We are all feeling the same emotions. You will also feel a great sense of pride in being there. Your Ride Captain will have set up a staging area for everyone to meet. Please make sure you are there on time, fueled up and have already performed your pre-ride safety checks. Your Ride Captain will hold a briefing for any instructions and last minute information you may need. If you can, print out the itinerary posted in the email to take with you.
Once at the service there may be changes as to what we do or where we can help depending on what the family, funeral director, or Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) want or need, so be listening up for the Ride Captain to make more announcements.
Q. DO I SALUTE AT MISSIONS?
A. It has been suggested that civilians should salute by placing their right hand over their heart. Many military personnel will give a hand salute or place a hand over their heart. While it has been customary that only military personnel in uniform should salute, recent changes in thought have led to giving a choice to those who have served. PGR maintains that the salute is your personal decision as long as it is in keeping with our mission of respect and honor.
Q. HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT MISSIONS IN MY AREA?
A. Email Mission notices are sent out.
Q. IS THERE A DRESS CODE OR REQUIRED UNIFORM?
A. No. Dress for safety, comfort and respect. Many suggestions have been made regarding standard shirts or clothing but PGR has not adopted a dress code or policy for our members. Keep in mind that we are there to respect the family so check your vests for any patches which may contain offensive language. Those patches can be covered with masking tape for the duration of the mission.
Q. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE “COMMANDS” AND TERMS I HEAR DURING MISSIONS?
A. Present Arms:
Stand respectfully with your flag, salute or put your hand over your heart, whatever you are comfortable with. If you are a flag bearer, do not salute or cover your heart. The national colors are presented straight up with no dip whatsoever and no salute will be hand rendered when bearing the flag.
Cover: Headgear, hats. Some members feel this includes do-rags. Covers are not required to be removed during present arms in an outdoor environment. Covers should be removed for prayers though.
Parade Rest: Relax
At Ease: Stay in place, but relaxed; soft talking is appropriate. Breaks as needed.
Rally, staging or meeting: Gather for Mission brief, also signaled by extending one are straight up with index finger up moving the arm as though making a circle with the finger.
Fall out: Dismissed at conclusion.
Q. FLAG ETIQUETTE
A. The flag that is of the utmost importance is our national flag, to which the greatest respect should be paid. No other flag can be flown above the national flag. It is imperative that no one show disrespect to the national flag. The national flag should never be “dipped” or lowered to any person or thing. However, Regimental colors, State flags, and organizational or institutional flags can be dipped as a mark of honor. The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground. Flags are displayed in a specific order with the US flag always being in front of a line or on its own right. If, in a flag line, you are in doubt of your position please ask your SC or another member if you are in the correct position if you are holding a flag other than the US flag.
Q. HOW DO I HOLD A FLAG WHEN IN A FLAG LINE?
A. The flag should be held straight up as much as possible. We never dip the US flag. While it would make a great showing and look really nice to see all members at attention and the flags all equidistant and at the same height we are not a military unit but a group of regular citizens who are there to show these folks that we care.
Q. DO WE ATTEND THE ACTUAL SERVICES?
A. Many families invite us into the chapel to attend the actual service. It is up to you if you choose to do so. Your RC will let you know if the invitation has been offered.
Q. WHERE DO I PURCHASE PGR ITEMS?
A. The National PGR store is now open and is owned by Patriot Guard Riders, Inc. with 100% of the profits used to support National PGR, Inc.
Q. WHAT KIND OF MISSIONS DO WE DO?
A. Our main mission is to honor our fallen heroes, their families, and communities by attending memorial services and funerals. We are there to pay our respects and to shield the families from any interruptions by uninvited guests. These missions include fallen heroes of the current fight for freedom and veterans of other conflicts such as WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. We also honor our fallen heroes from Law Enforcement and Firefighting.
While this was the original purpose of the PGR at its inception, our missions have expanded to include many other activities.
Memorial Missions: These are events that are held at various military installations across the country honoring our fallen heroes. Many bases hold monthly memorial services honoring the fallen from their units. This also includes private memorial services held by families when a full funeral is not scheduled with interment. You will find more information regarding these missions under the PGR Current Missions Information webpage.
Welcome Home and Troop Send Offs: We also participate in ceremonies and events to welcome our troops home from overseas or to give them a resounding show of support when they leave the states for foreign countries. You will find more information regarding these missions under the PGR Current Missions Information webpage.
Help on the Homefront: This program assists wounded veterans and their families in need. It includes visits to VA hospitals, assisting in cleaning, repairing or refurbishing homes of injured veterans. This program works with other agencies and supports some of their programs also.
Q. CELL PHONES
A. Please turn your cell phones off or to “silent” during the mission. If you must make or take a call please remove yourself from within the sight and hearing of the family and other participants until your call is complete.
Q. SMOKING/EATING/DRINKING
A. Please pack your trash back out with you if you can‘t find a proper receptacle. Put your butts in your pocket until you can find a can or ashtray. The use of a film canister or baggie has been suggested to discard butts. Absolutely NO consumption of alcohol during a mission. Respect includes respect for the church, funeral home or cemetery grounds. Please step away from the flag line if you would like to eat or smoke.
Q. WHAT DO I BRING TO A MISSION?
A. Make sure you bring water to drink. If you know it’s going to be a long day bring some snacks or even pack a sandwich. We almost always provide water during the mission at the support vehicle but this is not always the case so you might want to bring some water for yourself.
Q. WHAT IF A MISSION IS CANCELLED?
A. If a funeral mission is cancelled due to the family’s request we DO NOT attend. This would be disrespectful to the family. If it is a public event you may attend as a citizen but we ask that you leave your PGR items at home, if possible. Our mission, first and foremost, is respect. Not only does that apply to families but also to the communities in which we live and serve.
Q. ARE MISSIONS EVER LIMITED IN ATTENDANCE SIZE?
A. A family may wish to invite the PGR but only on a limited basis. Again, we do everything we can to honor the family’s request.
Q. CAN I BRING MY CHILDREN TO MISSIONS?
A. Yes. It is suggested that you use your best judgment with smaller children. If your child becomes restless please be prepared to remove him from the area so as to not disturb the services. Perhaps you and your spouse or a friend can agree to a plan of action before you attend the mission. Talk with your children before hand to prepare them for what may happen. You will find that they may be able to understand more than you think. Give them a flag of their own that is a size they can handle. Teach them some flag etiquette. This can be a positive experience for your child.