LAKE COUNTY – A group of veterans supporters are launching an effort to boost the morale of troops overseas.

The Patriot Guard Riders is a nationwide group of motorcycle riders who honor our nation's fallen heros by attending the funerals of US soldiers and offering protection and comfort to their families. The group also welcomes home troops who are returning from service abroad, said Slick Hultquist of Scotts Valley, a local Patriot Guard member.

The group formed in 2005, in response to an effort by a group that was protesting at soldiers' funerals and harassing family members of the fallen.

Hultquist said there are more than 104,000 Patriot Guard members nationwide, and he hopes to see more motorcyclists join. However, he said you don't have to be a motorcyclist to join.

The group, Hultquist said, is “all about respect” for the sacrifices of the nation's soldiers.

Hultquist said the Patriot Guard Riders flag has become a morale booster for US troops overseas. The flag has a yellow background with dark blue lettering that says “Patriot Guard Riders, Standing For Those Who Stood For Us” surrounding a triangle of stars.

He recently attended a meeting of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 951 in Lakeport where he shared the Patriot Guard Riders' mission and presented an idea to send the flags over to US troops.

Hultquist said there have so far been 318 requests from troops for the flags, but they have only been able to send 274.

“That is still quite a few, but these guys and gals get all pumped up when they receive these flags knowing that there are people over here that DO care about them and what they are doing,” Hultquist said.

The Vietnam Veterans of America donated enough money on the spot at the recent meeting to send over two additional flags, which cost $38 plus $2 for shipping, said Hultquist. The group is going to purchase a third flag to display at its meetings.

Hultquist asked the vets to sign the flags, because the signatures give the flags “a little more of a personal touch.” However, signing is not necessary, as some troops prefer them unsigned.

He said he's ordered seven flags himself so far and is taking them around to his neighbors to sign. In turn, his neighbors have been chipping in donations to help support the flag purchases.

For more information about the Patriot Guard Riders, call Hultquist at 263-8105 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Hultquist can help people order flags, which can be sent directly to the soldiers or to the purchaser who can sign them and add other morale boosters before mailing the flags off to soldiers who request them.

 

For more information you can visit the Patriot Guard Riders Web site at www.patriotguard.org. However, only Patriot Guard Riders members can order flags from that site.

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