The Patriot Guard

The Patriot Guard was the brainchild of Terry "Darkhorse" Houck and his wife Carol. Terry and Carol are members of the Mulvane, Kansas American Legion Riders Post 136. On July 24, 2005 they became aware of a planned protest to take place during the funeral of a fallen soldier from Oklahoma. They were apalled that anyone would even think of staging a protest at a military funeral.

At the 7 August 2005 meeting, ALR 136 director Chuck "Pappy" Barshney appointed committee members Terry "Darkhorse" Houck, Cregg "Bronco6" Hansen, Steve "McDaddy" McDonald, Bill "Wild Bill" Logan. The committee established a mission purpose, procedures, and guidelines to honor the memory of our Fallen Soldiers and support the families who are subjected to the WBC protests. Later additions to the committee include co-director Dennis "Tatonka" Scuffham, Greg "Ebay" Hansen, Richard "Stretch" Strothman and Doug "GreyEagle" Lehman.

When the ALR 136 committee heard that the WBC were going to protest at the Funeral of Sgt John Doles in Chelsea, Oklahoma, a Mission Statement was established. The Mission Statement included getting the Families permission and contacting Law Enforcement and other Motorcycle Groups in Kansas and Oklahoma, as well as other states. The committee agreed that the ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle organizations involved in every state so that each state could handle the situation internally and not rely on other states to do the job. Cregg Hansen used his American Legion Rider Chapter contacts to spread the word about the mission. Our established procedures have been adopted by all Patriot Guard for use on the National level.

The 11 October 2005 Chelsea, Oklahoma mission was planned and executed with military precision. After the successful Chelsea Mission, the Kansas American Legion Riders wanted all motorcycle groups, organizations, and individual supporters to be recognized. Therefore, on 18 October 2005 the name of the "PATRIOT GUARD" was established. The "Patriot Guard" name was proudly announced to more than one hundred riders present at the 27 October 2005 Tonganoxie Mission to Honor SPC Lucas Frantz. We designed our Patriot Guard patches and began distributing them in late November 2005.

The American Legion Riders of Post 104 follow the guidelines laid down and formed by their brothers and sisters of the Mulvane, Kansas Post 136. Post 104 Riders have participated in many missions to honor Florida's fallen heroes and lend support to the grieving families. We will not allow the minions of the WBC to sully the memory of any of our beloved veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our great country.

ABC World News segment on

The Patriot Guard Riders

January 4, 2007