Saturday morning, patriotism lined the streets of Houston’s Third Ward.

The men and women along the road were bikers by a calling, but Patriot Guard riders by choice.

“It was the right thing to do, to honor somebody who’s given the ultimate sacrifice so we can have our rights and privileges that we have in the United States,” ride captain Karen “Puddles” Carson said.

The Patriot Guard riders are at most funerals for fallen soldiers, standing tall and holding the Star-Spangled Banner, to pay their respects to the families of our fallen heroes.

Saturday they were there to honor Houston’s PFC Roy Lee Jones, 21, who gave his life in Iraq last week.

“One of the road captains said, ‘I don’t know of anything more difficult than to memorialize a child.’  Every time we do some of these escorts, it’s someone’s child,” Patriot Guard member Arthur Ross said.

Some of the riders joined after losing their own children in the war. 

Others have children on the front lines right now, while some are veterans themselves.

But mostly, they say, they are all just ordinary people – proud Americans – showing support and solidarity to their extended family.

“The families have given up so much,” ride captain Rick Cunningham said.

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Patriot Guard riders line the streets at the funeral of a Houston soldier Saturday.

The Patriot Guard originated about a year ago.  It started as a way to protect distraught families from anti-war protesters.

Today, it’s evolved into something even more significant.  With more than 60,000 members across the country, they also lead funeral precessions and escort the bodies of fallen military men and women from the airport when they are flown home.

“It’s a chance to give back to the family, to help the community,” Cunningham said.

They’re a community of bikers – now an unlikely honor guard – displaying their pride and patriotism at a time when it’s needed most in America.