It's a beautiful Sunday afternoon, the hot summer sun is shining, and so are the chrome wheels and the black leather on the 62 motorcycles gathered
outside the VFW in Morris, Ill.

Don't let them fool you, this brigade may look tough, but the only thing bigger than the riders' Harleys are their hearts. They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders and they hail from all around the Chicagoland area.

On this particular Sunday the guard is headed to Morris to welcome home SSgt. Robert Dettman from Iraq. The group is there to pay tribute to Dettman, 12 year Army service member.

The guard travels to Dettman's house and accompanies him to the Morris Courthouse, where friends, family and more guard members are awaiting his
arrival.

When Dettman arrives he seems flattered by the large crowd cheering but is
very modest.

"I was just doing my job over there," he tells the crowd.

Patriot Guard member Cheryl Riley of Elk Grove has been riding since the
beginning of the year.

"They are doing their job so that we can do ours, they deserve all the
thanks they get," said Riley.

The typical ceremony is a welcome home ride that lasts a couple of hours and
is all about boosting the morale of the soldier returning from war.

"We started to do these welcome homes, because we wanted the soldiers to
know that they are appreciated, and that we didn't forget about what they
were fighting for over there," said guard member Mike Covney.

Doug and Terry Askren, both Naperville residents, got involved in the group
because their son, Matthew, a 2004 graduate of Neuqua Valley High School, is
serving in the Marines and currently stationed in Afghanistan. The Askrens
spend almost every weekend in the rides, and have found comfort in the
friends they've made in the Patriot Guard.

"I've met some of the greatest people I've ever met in my life since I
joined the guard, friends I'll have for life," said Road Captain Doug
Askren.

The all-volunteer group was first started back in 2005, because of
parishioners from Westboro Minister Church from Topeka, Kan. would protest
at the funerals of soldiers killed in the Iraq war. A small group of
motorcyclists decided they wanted to protect the dignity of the soldiers.
The bikers started attending the funerals to block the protesters so the
family would not see them.

Since then the guard has evolved from funeral escorts to conducting as many
as 30 homecomings a month. The guard will do a homecoming for any soldier at
the request of his or her family.

At the moment, the riders are participating in more homecomings than
funerals.

"Doing the welcome homes is a nice release from the pressures that build
from doing the funerals," said Ride Captain Mike Stuckey.

The group today has 145,184 members nationwide; 11,000 of which are in the
Northeastern Illinois Chapter.
People from all walks of life make up the guard: veterans, parents and
friends that just want to support the soldiers however they can.

Anyone can be a member of the Patriot Guard, members say. Those who can't
ride bikes can drive cars along the welcomed home's path.

"It just about wanting to do the right thing," said Guard member Mike
Covney.

To learn more about the guard or to become a member visit ilpgr.org

Caroline Rowland Reports.