Communication from National:

Patriot Guard Riders are defined by our mission statement. We are further defined by the respect and honor we show those entrusted to our care. Our mission and vision are clear. We often hear the words “Mission First”. Those words speak to the heart of the matter. Those we serve are first. The reason we exist is for them. They – are what – we are about.

Patriot Guard Riders is a 501(c)3 - non profit entity. As with all non-profit organizations we have images and words associated with our organization that portray what we do and who we are. These images and words are expressions of our mission. They are our trade marks (trademarks).

The time has come for us to protect our mission and those we serve by protecting our trademarks. There have been a few folks around the country that have decided to set up similar organizations using our marks. “Differences of opinion” concerning local leadership guidance have lead some to set up their own leadership and their own “Patriot Guard”. When differences like these arise, we ask all to focus on the mission and settle the differences as amicably as possible at the local level. Patriot Guard Riders leadership at all levels is readily available to assist if needed.

Putting those we serve in their rightful place is paramount. That place is – first. Mission First! The last thing a grieving family needs is to find themselves in a spat involving various groups. They should not be put in the position to choose one “Patriot Guard” group over another. During a time when they need strength and comfort they should only find caring and unified people at the ready. Some of these other groups make fund raising a priority. Some have had the audacity to ask for donations at funerals. Some even offer their services to political action groups.

Our vision and mission statements make it clear what Patriot Guard Riders is about. We ask that those that have joined our ranks to respect the principals and direction found in each document. If an individual or group desires to separate from Patriot Guard Riders and honor our veterans, that is fine; however, to prevent confusion for grieving families and others we serve, we believe those groups need to develop their own name and marks. The marks of Patriot Guard Riders are associated legally with only one group. The Patriot Guard Rider's marks are representative of our vision and mission statements. Our marks are not, and should never be, associated with raising funds at a funeral. Our mark is not and should never be associated with politics.

 

Patriot Guard Riders has always stated our mission is about honoring the fallen and not about us. There are times when folks have a great idea for the use of a Patriot Guard Rider's mark and want to share. Feel free to share your idea with national. Then there are times when some go beyond having an idea they want to share. Instead they decide to charge something to cover their costs. Sometimes it goes a step further and they see that they can make a little profit by adding more. Obviously, at this point it becomes more about profit than the mission. The sharing of the idea is the point at which this should have stopped. There are times when Patriot Guard Riders may approve the use of a mark. However without that permission there ensues not only a breach of trust, but one of a legal nature as well.

 

Patriot Guard Riders desires to avoid all such cases. For these reasons the use of our trademarks is limited to the Patriot Guard National store or those agreed to by the State Captain within his or her state. State Captains may authorize limited use of the Patriot Guard trademarks for sale of state specific items within their state as long as 100% of the profits go to the state 501(c)3. Direct competition with the national store is not authorized by Patriot Guard Riders. For example, the sale of identical or nearly identical merchandise is prohibited. State Captains may purchase Patriot Guard Riders merchandise at the National Store for resale by their state at a significant discount. State Captains may also authorize the use of the marks for their state specific websites and veteran related charitable advertising as they see fit. When in doubt, please review the policy with the national staff.

We have found many unauthorized uses of Patriot Guard Rider's trademarks. We have begun requesting unauthorized users to cease the use of our marks. We intend to settle any differences amicably, but will not allow the continued profiting from the use of our marks.

The following is offered for the sake of transparency.
All Patriot Guard Riders board and staff members are volunteers. No one at any level receives any compensation for their work on Patriot Guard Riders activities.

The Patriot Guard Rider's store is contracted to an outside entity because of the enormity of the tasks involved. Patriot Guard Riders pay Fast Color a monthly fee based on the sales volume of that month. All monies for the merchandise sold by Fast Color goes directly to Patriot Guard Riders. Patriot Guard Riders pay Fast Color a percentage (less than 10%) of the monthly sales based on the sales volume of that month. That fee pays Fast Color for design, order, stocking, maintaining the Patriot Guard Riders store front, and for receiving and shipping orders to our members. Patriot Guard Riders volunteers monitor the cost of items and approve all Patriot Guard Rider's items sold. Any member may suggest a new item or discuss quality concerns with the PGR store managers. 

Respectfully

Tony "Zap" Turner
Patriot Guard Riders
National Communications Officer

BOD Election

We have one seat open for election/re-election. Greg Springer,  currently holds one of the non-leadership positions on the Board of Directors, Greg can rerun if nominated. The position is meant to be held by someone that is not present or past PGR leadership so we get a good mix of views. In the “Sidebar” area of our webpage is the process, description, and nomination forms.

The topic for this week covers our Liability Waiver, also known as the Ride Waiver, and sometimes referred to as the "sign-in sheet". The Liability Waivers are a requirement of the MN PG and the National PGR organization.

One of the MN PG Leadership's responsibilities is to minimize liability to the organization. One of the tools is the Liability Waiver. It has been vetted by lawyers and our insurance carrier. For those of us who ride, we are very familiar with Ride Waivers absolving those in charge/organizers of the ride from liability - our Waiver is no different.

The top line of the first page/cover page of our Liability Waiver states: "In consideration of being permitted to observe and/or participate in any way in this event, I, the undersigned.....". This means to participate in our invited group the waiver must be signed by all in our group.

 

We are invited guests of the family. If someone chooses not to follow the rules that protect our organization (the invited guests), they are not part of our group at that mission/event and therefore are not invited guests. The rules that protect our organization and our conduct at missions & events are a huge part of the outstanding reputation we enjoy, and the cooperation we receive from the military.

 

When signing in it needs to be your legal name/signature, anything other than that does not provide any liability protection. At stake is our ability to donate funds that help our military and veterans right here in Minnesota. I don't believe anyone is willing to jeopardize our ability to do that because some attendees do not wish to sign the waiver or to sign it correctly. 

Members, please see the below two emails from National regarding the passing of Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) founder Fred Phelps:

 

 

"Many members have suggested that PGR tack the high road and protect the Phelps' funeral:

 

While many of us agree with these sentiments, attending any funeral without the invite of the family could be considered disrespectful.  Attending any non-veteran or non-first responder funeral would be outside the PGR mission statement and likely be considered a form of protest.

 

The most misunderstood thing about Patriot Guard is that we are not a protest or counter protest group. We simply desire to show respect to our Nation's fallen heroes and their families. As a 501(c)3 we cannot be involved with any form of protest or counter protest.  If the Department of Defense were to decide that the Patriot Guard Riders is a protest or counter-protest group, they would be forced to stop cooperating with us in securing invitations of the KIA/Active Duty death missions, along with deployments and welcome homes of military units.  Our primary mission is to respectfully attend funerals for military personnel, and first responders and then only with an invitation from the immediate family.  Without the DoD cooperation, it would be extremely difficult for us to be able to honor those fallen active duty heroes.

 

So, the Patriot Guard Riders will NOT attend any non-veteran or non-first responder funeral as it clearly falls outside of our mission scope.

 

We desire to remain in good standing with the DOD and focus on our primary mission.

 

Robbie Smart

President

Patriot Guard Riders"

 

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"Patriot Guard,

 

Let us first remember our Nations true Heroes. Those brave men and women of our military and first responders who gave their life so that we may enjoy the freedom to express our differences.

 

While it is hard to find anything good to say about his views or actions, we do give our condolences to his family during what must be a painful time for them.  We take no joy in the sickness and death of any man. We do not celebrate the death of Fred Phelps.  Rather, Patriot Guard Rider's hope that Mr. Phelps somehow found the peace that seemed to elude him in life.

 

It is true that the PGR grew out of a response to protests at funerals.  That's a fair statement.

 

But that was 2005 and the PGR quickly learned that there was something powerful in a gathering of Americans who would simply stand and hold flags and let a family know that they were not alone.  And that powerful thing became our mission.

 

We are neither a protest nor a counter protest group.  We honor fallen Heroes and those who have honorably served this free America. The presence or absence of a protest does not alter that mission.

 

If it not for this man and his family we might not have heeded the call to regularly honor the sacrifices of our nation's true heroes and their families.  Nor would we have come to know the brother/sisterhood that the Patriot Guard Riders has become.

 

Robbie Smart

President

Patriot Guard Riders"

2014 is an election year - just a reminder that participation in political/lobbying efforts violates our 501c3 status. There are very hefty fines that can be imposed for that participation. Our 501c3 allows us to donate over $60,000 every year right here in Minnesota to our veterans and military - protecting it is important. I believe that each and every one of us would prefer that money to go to our military & veterans rather than paying a large fine or being involved in a law suit.

 

Many of our members are involved in political activities on their own. Perception is reality, no matter the intent. Wearing MN PG/PGR identification gives the perception that the organization is being represented in an official capacity - do not represent the MN PG/PGR at political/lobbying events in any way

 

The MN PG/PGR is a non-political organization. We simply cannot appear to be for one side or the other and maintain our relationships with the military, other organizations, and the families we stand with as we honor their hero's.

 

Support your political choices - but do it on your own as a private citizen - that is your right. By wearing any of your MN PG/PRG items (vest, pins or patches) you could very well be jeopardizing our 501c3 status.

 

  

A word from the MN-PG Store:

 

The main purpose of the MN-PG Store is to provide us with the funds to run the Patriot Guard Riders mission in Minnesota. By keeping our expenses low, the store gives us that opportunity. Our administrative expenses are running at about 4%, which is very low compared to other charities. We can do this as no companies or private parties benefit from the funds received through the MN-PG store. There are no salaries or service fees paid. It is a volunteer venture. The only expenses incurred are costs of goods sold and shipping/handling charges.

 

Dennis Kirk provides free shipping. We pay Dennis Kirk for the postage and handling materials. This is extremely generous of Dennis Kirk. Please provide your support to Dennis Kirk any way you can.

 

However, if you have any issues with an order you HAVE to contact me for resolution!! Dennis Kirk cannot help you with any questions or order issues. Just email store@mnpatriotguard.org and I will help you with your issues. The majority of Dennis Kirk employees have no knowledge of the service they provide the MN-PG store. There are only a few dedicated people involved in this service. Please take the time to thank them whenever you can.

 

If you have any questions / issues with your MN-PG store items just contact store@mnpatriotguard.org. - I promise I will take care of you. Please keep in mind, the Minnesota Patriot Guard Store is totally separate from the National Patriot Guard Riders Store. I cannot help you with issues residing with orders from the National Patriot Guard Riders Store.

 

We have some new items in the store - like a Watch Cap with MN-PG Embroidered on it, see that here: http://www.mnpatriotguard.org/store/gearapp.asp

And a Flagpole - http://www.mnpatriotguard.org/store/geardec.asp

Also, check out the items on our Sale page, http://www.mnpatriotguard.org/store/geardis.asp

 

The coffee cups we have for sale here are REALLY nice! I have 4 of them and it is the only coffee cup I use at home. They are really nice if you are working at a desk all day - it lets people know about the Patriot Guard - and may spark their interest in joining. These make a nice "just thinking of you" gift for you daughter or wife/girlfriend also. There is also a nice Thermos Brand Travel Mug that would make a nice 'just thinking of you" gift for your husband/boyfriend!

 

So please, come back and visit the MN Patriot Guard Store and help support the Patriot Guard - the military and their families!  

 

John Redfield

store@mnpatrotguard.org

Winter is definitely here!  Just a reminder on attending missions - make sure you are dressed for the elements.  Frostbite and other cold weather injuries can happen in a matter of minutes if not prepared!  Safety of leaders & members is important - we need you and appreciate you, but we want you safe!

Thank you for all you do!