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Photo by Donita Clausen click image to enlarge

By JAMES JORDAN
Traveler Managing Editor

While a small group waved signs and took joy in the death of a U. S. Soldier Wednesday in South Haven, an assortment of veterans and motorcycle groups made sure at least, that the family of the deceased would not be bothered.

The protestors, who numbered less than 10, held signs, tore American flags and made hateful remarks aimed at families of soldiers who have died in the line of duty.

There were over 125 motorcycles at the funeral Wednesday, representing veterans and cyclists from all over Kansas and Oklahoma. They surrounded the small group of protestors and whenever they would try to speak, dozens of motorcyclists revved their engines to drown them out.

The cyclists also provided a human shield between the protestors and the family of the dead soldier. By the time the funeral ended at South Haven High School, the small band of protestors had left, but the cyclists remained to honor a fellow soldier who had been killed in battle. They provided a color guard of several motorcycles, decked out with flags, from the school to the cemetery.

Kenton Van, a veteran and Methodist minister from Cheney, said he wanted to honor the soldiers who have died and to support the families left behind.

"They message those people have is a message of hate," he said. "They are hate mongers. They claim to be Christian, but they have nothing to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ."

He added that what the group has done to the American flag is "atrocious, despicable ... undescribable."

This was the third funeral that the group, called Patriot Riders, have attended. Van said the gathering at South Haven was the largest so far.

Steve McDonald of Mulvane said his club also wanted to support the family and to honor a fallen soldier.

John Simard of Wichita, said about 20 members of his club made the trip to South Haven.

Simard is an Air Force veteran and is offended when the American flag is desecrated by having it torn, soiled or stomped upon.

Another veteran, Terry Houck of Derby, came up with the idea of the cycle clubs attending soldier's funerals to stop the small group of protestors from causing additional pain and grief to families of fallen soldiers.

His wife, Carol, pointed out the protests of funerals on the television news.

"That just made my blood boil," Houck said.

He brought up the matter at the next American Legion meeting he attended. He and Craig Hanson were appointed co-chairmen. They have continued to organize and grow the group.

There are 15 motorcycle clubs involved, and they plan on going where the protestors go, making sure families are not hurt by them. This usually means surrounding them, providing a human shield, and drowning out the protestors' voices with their motorcycle engines.

"Anytime they go to a soldier's funeral to cause problems, we will be there," Houck said.

Houck said the group gets permission of families and local law enforcement officers before attending.

"We are not here to stop their free speech," Houck said. "We object to them disrupting military funerals and waving vicious signs. We want them to respect soldiers and their families."

Until that happens, the cyclists will also be exercising their freedoms.

Above: Cregg Hansen revs his engine to drown out sounds from protestors at South Haven on Wednesday.