On June 5, 2012 the small central Oklahoma town of Shawnee came alive briefly with the rolling thunder of a legion of motorcycle riders. But this was no ordinary ride by a motorcycle group on their way to a summer rally. Rather, it was a procession of bikers providing an escort for fallen sailor Eric D. Warren. Mr. Warren was laid to rest in Shawnee's Resthaven Cemetery after a moving ceremony that honored him as both a human being and a member of the U.S. Navy.
What surprised many of the onlookers standing by the side of the road were the Mongols patches adorning the vests of many of the riders. Sure, they expected to see the Patriot Guard because that's what that group is known for. But seeing the Mongols, and other groups like the Forsaken Few, came as a surprise.
That's no matter to the Mongols. As a motorcycle club they are very loyal to one another under any circumstance. And seeing that many of them are former military themselves, they are also very loyal to those who currently serve. For them to come out and show respect to a fallen sailor is just a natural extension of who and what they are: a tight brotherhood of motorcycle riders who stick together through thick and thin.
After the ceremony ended many of the onlookers commented about how many U.S. flags and military patches they'd seen among the bikers. Some were wholesale patches while others seem to be custom made. At any rate, most Americans don't think of bikers as being military men and women. The truth is, most of them support the military with zeal and passion. And that's a good thing. I'm sure Mr. Warren's family appreciated all who showed up regardless of the club they belong to.
