Reservist rides with the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders

  • Published
  • By Stacy Vaughn
  • 445th Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Military servicemembers returning home from deployment may see a familiar face among the crowd of family and friends waiting at the Dayton International Airport to welcome them home. Master Sgt. Edwards Engel, Jr., 445th Operational Support Squadron, is a member of the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders, a local organization affiliated with the Patriot Guard Riders, a national organization that began in Kansas in 2005. 

Sergeant Engel, who's been riding with the group for three years now, said the overall purpose of the PGR is to honor those who have served, from any branch of service. The group supports funeral services for veterans, deployment missions and homecoming missions. 

"We started because a church group in Kansas was picketing military funerals. We're at the service to protect the family and shield them from any uninvited guests and show honor to the people that have given their life for our country," Sergeant Engel said. 

The group becomes involved in a funeral service at the request of the family. If they are invited by the family, the PGR will escort the loved one from the airport or military base to the funeral home then to the church for the visitation service. During the visitation service, the group will stand outside with their flags. After the service, they will escort the remains to the burial location. 

"I've been involved in over 40 different events with the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders. Last year we participated in the funeral service for Pfc. Matt Maupin. He was the Cincinnati native who was declared missing after an April 9, 2004, convoy attack near Baghdad," Sergeant Engel said. "Recently we've been receiving a lot of requests for support from the families of Korean War MIAs and Vietnam War veterans. Just the other day we participated in a funeral service for a Flying Tiger veteran." 

Although initially founded by motorcyclists, the OPGR is open to anyone, regardless of political affiliation, veteran status, or whether they ride or not. According to the group's mission statement, the only prerequisite is, "a deep respect for those who serve our country; military, firefighter, or law enforcement." 

"We don't want people to think we're just motorcyclists. We invite anyone who wants to do what we do and who believes in our mission statement," Sergeant Engel said. He added that at the welcome home mission at the Dayton International Airport for four 445th Civil Engineer Squadron reservists, they had members attend who do not ride motorcycles but drove their vehicles to the airport so they could participate in the homecoming. 

"It doesn't matter if it's one person or 100 people going out on a deployment or coming home, they deserve the recognition, so we'll set up a mission for them if we're given the information," Sergeant Engel said. 

Over the last year, the feedback received by the organization has been overwhelming. "We've received numerous letters of appreciation that we post on the OPGR website. It's a great feeling to see that people recognize what we're doing for them," Sergeant Engel said. 

The most recent homecoming mission the OPGR was involved in here at the wing was the civil engineer squadron homecoming for 60 Airmen returning from a six-month deployment in Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Tech. Sgt. Nick Reed, 445th Civil Engineer Squadron readiness and emergency management, witnessed the homecoming for the Airmen in his squadron. 

"It was great seeing the support of the riders. I know that the returning members were moved and very appreciative of them taking time out of their lives to say thank you," Sergeant Reed said.