Funeral for Officer Keith Boyer

[yzErnie]

I post this only because of some past experiences with the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) being in attendance for LE KIA funerals.

For Officer Keith Boyer's funeral...

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) have been invited by the family of Officer Keith Boyer as well as the Whittier Police Department to participate in honoring his service to his community.

Brief history...Every funeral, parade or other activity we do is completely voluntary. Many of us are Vietnam Veterans and Vietnam Era Veterans, with others being veterans of all services and veterans of WWII, Korea, and recent history Veterans. Some of us have never served a day in the military but are patriotic Americans who have and show respect our military and first responders.

We will not be in the procession for this funeral but we will be lining the entrance of the cemetery with our motorcycles and bearing our American Flags, Service Flags and/or rendering hand salutes if no flag is available. Many of us wear black leather vests with colorful patches but PLEASE, before you confuse us with the OBGs, our vests are adorned with respectful and patriotic patches. Many of us have beards and wear head rags. Some of us will look like hell warmed over because they are dying from the inside out from Agent Orange exposures but insist on coming out to show respect for the deceased. Some of us stood the ranks of SO's, PD's and FD's until we retired.

We are the good people of our communities, we respect our military and first responders and when a family (or Department) asks for our attendance for a KIA we will oblige them, in force. We will have your back as you are paying your respects. As you enter the cemetery, instead of a scowl or stare like who the hell are these people, know that we are a friendly. A smile or a wave goes a long way. You may even see some tears as the coach and family pass by us.

May Officer Boyer's family and his fellow dept personnel find peace in this difficult time.

Keep fighting the good fight, there are many of us citizens out there who appreciate what you do on a daily basis.

Stay safe and don't let the bastards get the drop on you.

[Ron-Solo]

Thanks, Ernie.

You continue to serve with dignity, respect, honor.

I salute you.

[Cokebottle]

Thanks Ernie.

Hung up my wheels a few years ago, but I will be there in spirit.

[pitbuljake]

Ernie,

Though I don't really know you, you seem to be a very stand up and patriotic Individual. Thank for your service. And thanks for posting!

May officer Keith Boyer R.I.P. God bless.


Jake

[CBR_rider]

Salute to Ernie and the rest of the Patriot Guard Riders. I have had the honor of escorting some of our fallen brothers to their final resting places and there is something that always gets to me whenever I see the Patriot Guard Riders along the route (often at the start and/or end of the procession route). Maybe it's the fact that they are fellow riders, maybe it's the fact that some of them seem to ALWAYS be there to show respect to the fallen, maybe its the fact that they absolutely are sometimes a little bit crusty-round-the-edges group of men and women, maybe it's their willingness to stand between a grieving family and hateful protesters, or maybe it's all the above; no matter what the Patriot Guard Riders is one of the few organizations that has my utmost respect. Ride safe

And salute to our fallen; you may be gone but you are not forgotten.

[yzErnie]

Thanks for the accolades but the PGR isn't about me or "us". We're all about showing the respect and honor due to the fallen and their families, albeit, blood family, blue family or other family.

There has been some rumors of unfriendly folks for tomorrow. No info if it will be at the service, procession route of the cemetery. Since we will only be at the cemetery, we'll address it if it happens there. It's better for us to shield (no pun intended) you from the commotion than allowing the emotions of the day to get the better of you and kicking some turds ***!!