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	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

2009-11-07

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2009-11-05

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Lifestyles

Thursday, November 13, 2008 12:48 PM

Guard gives respect, honors service

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

It just seems like the right thing to do.

Britt Peters, a member of the Patriot Guard, said he feels like he’s where he’s supposed to be each time he attends a funeral for a fallen soldier or escorts a soldier home during a Welcome Home ride.

“It’s a respect thing — honoring them for serving their country,” Peters, Ottawa, said.

Peters said he and his wife, Samantha, joined the Patriot Guard — a group comprised mostly of veterans who often ride motorcycles and support soldiers and their families in a variety of ways — a few years ago.

He said he has attended a handful of funerals for area soldiers. Peters said guard members typically are quiet while they’re in the flag line, but families often approach them and talk to them.

“They’ll thank us and shake our hands,” he said, adding that some people take the time to shake every guard member’s hand.

“They really respond pretty well.”

Peters also has participated in Welcome Home rides, in which guard members meet soldiers coming back from overseas and escort them home.

“Generally, the soldiers get pretty choked up,” he said. “They feel appreciated. They feel like what they did meant something.”

And though he couldn’t exactly describe it, Peters said there’s a special feeling associated with going on a Welcome Home ride or standing with dozens of other Patriot Guard members in a flag line.

“It’s pretty neat,” he said. “It just seems like the right thing to do.”

Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.

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Guard gives respect, honors service

By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.