Patriot Guard Riders

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is an organization based in the United States whose members attend the funerals of members of the U.S. military and first responders at the invitation of a decedent's family.[2][3][4][5]

Patriot Guard Riders
AbbreviationPGR
Founded2005
Founded atMulvane, Kansas
Type501(c)(3) registered
Region
United States of America
Membership
329,696 (2011)[1]
Websitewww.patriotguard.org

The group forms a voluntary honor guard at military burials, helps protect mourners from harassment and fills out the ranks at burials of indigent and homeless veterans. In addition to attending funerals, the group also greets troops returning from overseas at homecoming celebrations and performs volunteer work for veteran's organizations such as Veterans Homes.

The organization is open to any persons, regardless of political affiliation, veteran status, or whether or not they ride motorcycles, as long as they have "a deep respect for those who serve our country".

Some media reports have referred to the PGR as a motorcycle club.[6][7][8] Patriot Guard Riders' representatives state that they are "not a motorcycle club", but an "Internet-based organization" and "communication system" by which members are informed of funeral events.[9][10][11][12]

History

The group was formed in 2005[13] to shelter and protect the deceased's family against protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church, who claim that the deaths of American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are divine retribution for American tolerance of homosexuality. PGR members position themselves to physically shield the mourners from the presence of the Westboro protesters by blocking the protesters from view with their motorcade, or by having members hold American flags. The group also drowns out the protesters' chants by singing patriotic songs or by revving motorcycle engines.[14][15][16][17]

Patriot Guard Riders

Although initially founded by motorcyclists, the organization is open to anyone, regardless of political affiliation, veteran status, or whether they ride or not. The only prerequisite is "a deep respect for those who serve our country; military and first responders. The Patriot Guard was established in Mulvane, Kansas, at American Legion Post 136 in 2005.[18] The founder members incorporated the organization as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in the State of Oklahoma on February 21, 2006.[13]

The group's mission quickly expanded to include the funerals of law enforcement officers, fire department personnel, all first responders, and any active duty member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces from all previous wars and conflicts and is now largely focused on recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of dead service members as well as their families and loved ones. As of March 2011, PGR reported over 220,000 members. In addition to their attendance at funerals, the group also greets troops returning from overseas at welcome home celebrations, deployment ceremonies, and performs volunteer work for veteran's organizations such as Veterans Homes. The group also assists families in financial difficulties with travel and housing arrangements, and visits military hospitals to encourage and honor wounded service members of the United States Armed Forces.

Trademark lawsuit

In 2007, the Patriot Guard Riders attempted to register the name with United States Patent and Trademark Office. One of the organization's founding members and first President, Jeff Brown, who previously operated the PGR merchandise store, filed an objection. PGR rebuked this, stating in papers filed with the Patent and Trademark Office that Brown had been ejected as a director of PGR in November 2006, and had therefore relinquished all rights to the store and the organization's name.[13] After resigning, Brown filed a trademark request, but this was rejected since the PGR had submitted its own request.[19] PGR contacted all its members asking for donations to establish a defense fund for the lawsuit.

As of 16 July 2012 the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) rendered its decision to Brown's opposition of the PGR, Inc's registration. They stated: "The record further reflects that during Brown's tenure as Executive Director, despite his use of personal funds, he was acting in his official capacity when ordering the collateral merchandise to sell on the online store. Consumers who bought the goods prior to Brown's departure and the subsequent creation of "Twister's Store" were led to believe the goods originated from the PGR. Hence, Brown cannot prevail on his claim of priority since he cannot show by a preponderance of the evidence a prior proprietary interest in the word mark PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS for collateral merchandise. Decision: The opposition is dismissed."[20]

Defending their trademark

After successfully registering multiple trademarks,[21][22][23] the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), Inc., began taking steps to enforce and defend its marks from unauthorized use.

A group in Michigan split from the PGR but continued to use multiple marks while conducting fundraising activities, most notably adopting the name "Michigan Patriot Guard" (MPG). The PGR made multiple requests of the MPG to cease and desist utilizing the name and trademarks. When the MPG failed to comply, the PGR filed a lawsuit in US District Court of Flint, Michigan.[24][25][26]

Before the lawsuit went to trial, the PGR and MPG reached a settlement. As part of the agreement, the MPG will change its name.[27] The organization's new name is Michigan Bikers Helping Veterans.[28]

References
  1. As of April 23, 2011 Patriot Guard Riders, Membership: Overall (user accounts registered at web site), archived from the original on September 28, 2011
  2. Patriot Guard honors fallen soldiers at funerals. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. By Erin Gibson Allen. 1-3-2008.
  3. Guard' pays respects, shields spectators at funeral. By BRET LIEBENDORFER. 9-23-2009. Archived April 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Westboro Baptist fuels free speech debate. By Byron Wilkes. 9-23-2009. Archived September 28, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Murret, Patricia (February 16, 2007). "Gay Haters Protest at Funeral of Female Marine Killed in Iraq". Capital News Service. Archived from the original on February 20, 2007.
  6. "NBC 4 to Present Coverage of Veterans Day Parade, 11/11 2010/11/10". WNBC. Retrieved January 5, 2011. hundreds of Veteran motorcyclists including the Rolling Thunder, Nam Knights, Patriot Guard and Legion Riders Motor Cycle clubs.
  7. "Deadline for Honor Flight Birmingham approaching fast for vets". al.com. December 28, 2010. Retrieved January 5, 2011. The Patriot Guard Riders -- a motorcycle club that often attends military funerals
  8. "Trip to Arlington National Cemetery special for Bern Twp. couple". Reading Eagle. Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2011. the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle club
  9. Wright, Kimberly. "Ride of respect: Patriot Guard Riders comfort the living, honor the dead". Maxwell Air Force Base. Archived from the original on November 22, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "Mr. Reynolds emphasized that the organization is not a motorcycle club."
  10. Sullivan, Julie (December 5, 2009). "Patriot Guard Riders make sure those who serve are honored in life -- and death". The Oregonian. Retrieved January 4, 2011. ""We're not a motorcycle club," Loun said. "We're an Internet-based organization that comes together when it's needed. After that, we all go back to our own lives."
  11. Ruggles, Rick (August 15, 2010). "Thunderous tribute". Omaha.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "It's not a motorcycle club but rather a communication system, Knudsen said, by which members are informed of funerals, sendoffs and other events."
  12. Spitz, Julia (March 8, 2009). "The leader of a very proud pack". The Milford Daily News. Retrieved January 4, 2011. "We're an organization, not a motorcycle club. We have no meetings. We have no dues. The only time we get together is for mission planning or missions. Almost all our communication is through the Web site or e-mail."
  13. "Amended Answer submission". TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System. United States Patent and Trademark Office. January 30, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  14. Nickerson, John (August 18, 2011), "Notorious church group threatens to protest SEALs funeral", Connecticut Post, retrieved August 19, 2011
  15. Neville, Anne (July 23, 2011), "Riders get to shine in film", Buffalo News, retrieved August 19, 2011
  16. Feur, Alan (May 29, 2006), "Revving Their Engines, Remembering a War's Toll", The New York Times
  17. Borger, Julian (April 18, 2006), "Anti-gay church hounds military funerals", The Guardian, retrieved August 19, 2011
  18. "www.al136.com - Paul Stewart Irwin American Legion Post 136 Homepage". Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  19. "Motion for Summary Judgment" (PDF). United States Patent and Trademark Office. January 22, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  20. "Opposition: Number: 91181448". TTABVUE. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Inquiry System. United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  21. Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR): PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS "RIDING WITH RESPECT" http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=77040379&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch
  22. Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR): PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=4482897&caseType=US_REGISTRATION_NO&searchType=statusSearch
  23. Trademark Status & Document Retrieval (TSDR):"RIDING WITH RESPECT" http://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=4528997&caseType=US_REGISTRATION_NO&searchType=statusSearch
  24. Patriot Guard Riders Claim Former Affiliate Infringes Trademarks:
  25. Justia Dockets & Filings: Patriot Guard Riders, Inc. v. Michigan Patriot Guard, Inc. http://dockets.justia.com/docket/michigan/miedce/2:2014cv12746/293047
  26. Lawsuit Details: Patriot Guard Riders, Inc. v. Michigan Patriot Guard, Inc. "Lawsuit Summary - Patriot Guard Riders, Inc. V. Michigan Patriot Guard, Inc". Archived from the original on August 5, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
  27. Michigan Patriot Guard forced to change name after federal lawsuit settlement http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2014/07/michigan_patriot_guard_forced.html
  28. "Patriot Guard of Michigan". www.michiganpatriotguard.org. Archived from the original on May 8, 2011. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
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