Patriot Guard Riders honor fallen Marine - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Patriot Guard Riders honor fallen Marine

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By Cade Fowler - bio | email

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You won't find a group of men and women more dedicated to honoring the fallen than the Patriot Guard Riders.

They have escorted scores or fallen military me and women to their final resting place. They also bring a sense pride and relief to the families of the fallen.

Dozens of them gathered Monday outside the tarmac at the Albany airport where the body of Lance Corporal Steven Sutton arrived from Delaware.

Some of them veterans of war. Other, relatives of veterans or active servicemen. All of them of patriots proud to wave Old Glory in honor of a Marine

"My whole family's veterans. It was just one of those things I decided I needed to do." said Georgia Ride Captain Todd Moyer.

One of those things Moyer has done, sadly, more than he can count.

"Probably over 200. I quit counting," he said. "Unfortunately, there's too many of them."

Assembled through a website, patriotguard.org, the riders come from near and far.

"Close to 75 or 80. I didn't count them all," said Moyer.

They are there for not only the fallen, but for the family.

"We do whatever the family wants. It's their call. We are there to escort and honor that fallen hero," said Moyer.

The pain the family Lance Cpl. Steve Sutton is going through has been echoed throughout the country from wars past and present to towns big and small. It is through these men and women, who are more than just a motorcycle club, that in the midst of hurt some solace is found.

"I've had some say that it takes a little bit of the pain away just for that split second to see everyday citizens honoring that hero. Even though they are hurting, they see the flags and understand that strangers care and that helps," said Moyer.

Patriot Guard Riders are a non-profit organization and accept donations from the public to help them keep these rides alive. They also welcome volunteer riders as well.

And the Patriot Guard Riders will escort the funeral procession of Lance Corporal Sutton from the church to the cemetery Wednesday afternoon.