WORTHINGTON — As friends, family and the community gather to pay last respects to Army Spc. Jeremy R. Gullett this afternoon, there will be others standing guard to make sure dignity is not disrupted.

“We’re there for the soldier. We’re there for the family. We’re standing for those who stood for us,” said Jim Stevenson, a member of the local Patriot Guard Rider organization.

With the family’s blessing and invitation, Stevenson, alongside others who have dedicated themselves to the cause, will surround the funeral and hold flags. If there were to be a demonstration or disrespectful incident during the visitation or the funeral, the Patriot Guard Riders will use the flags to shield the family.

“There’s no family that should have to see that on the day they bury their son or daughter,” Stevenson said, explaining the group strives to have “a wall of flags” to escort the soldier to his resting place.

If there were to be a protest, Stevenson said Patriot Guard Riders always remember the soldier they are helping to honor gave his/her life to protect things like freedom of speech in America.

“Our job is not to touch them in any way or interfere with what they are doing, but to shield the family from that” he said.

Many veterans and motorcycle owners have joined the group in recent times, although roughly half are civilians who drive cars and trucks.

“I’m not a veteran, but I’m real into this,” Stevenson said, explaining the organization did begin with a group of motorcycle owners.

Vietnam veteran Fred Reynolds said he draws upon personal experience and patriotism as he joins others for ceremonies with the local Patriot Guard Riders.

“I just do it out of respect for these kids who’ve gone over and served their country,” Reynolds said.

While he has participated in nearly 15 Patriot Guard Rider observances, Reynolds said the recent airport reception for Gullett, “is the toughest one I’ve ever done. We had about 15 people out there to help bring his body home.”

Stevenson and Reynolds explained the group is available to serve the family of any U.S. military veteran of any era, and make a point to be there for welcome home and ‘send off events.

“We’re losing about a thousand World War II veterans every day, as well as Korean War veterans and people who served but never fought in a battle, and their families don’t know we are there for every service member,” Reynolds said.

For more information, including free membership or contributions, visit www.patriotguard.org.