For the past 16 years, a group of volunteers has stood guard to ensure proper respect is paid at patriotic ceremonies and funerals for veterans and first responders.
The Patriot Guard Riders is a nationwide group formed in 2005 because of church protests at military funerals. Vietnam veteran John âCoopâ Cooper joined in July 2007 and he has been the North Alabama district ride captain six years.
His district of about 300 members goes from Cullman and Gadsden north to Tennessee, and east and west from Georgia to Mississippi.
Cooper updated the members on planned events, flag etiquette and proper conduct during a monthly meeting April 3 in Huntsville.