Letter from Kent Conrad re: Patriot Guard Riders

[laststeamtrain]

Dear Friend,
Thank you for your interest in veterans' issues. Today, I introduced a Senate resolution honoring the Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard Riders started in Kansas in 2005 with the mission to shield families and friends of fallen service members from interruptions by protesters at military funerals. The Patriot Guard Riders have since grown into a national network of tens of thousands of members who share a respect for service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
I was recently at funerals for two North Dakota soldiers, and I was appalled by the behavior of protesters who used the funeral to convey their message of hatred for our soldiers and their families. These protests do a grave disservice to the men and women who have courageously served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. They and their families deserve privacy and our profound respect.
The Patriot Guard Riders have attended several military funerals in North Dakota, and brought comfort to those in attendance. My resolution would express the Senate's deepest appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders who attend military funerals across the country to show respect for fallen members of the Armed Forces and, when needed, shield mourning family members and friends of the deceased from protestors who interrupt, or threaten to interrupt, the dignity of a funeral.
All across the nation, including North Dakota, Patriot Guard Riders are protecting mourning families from further hurt. For that, they deserve our sincere gratitude.
Sincerely,
KENT CONRAD
United States Senate
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What a world...where basic decency needs defending.

[Blue Fire]

1. And KC WILL defend it!