Dignity at military funerals secured on Memorial Day
Chairman Buyer joins President Bush as Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act signed into law

Washington, DC — America's military families today secured their peace while mourning the loss of a loved one with the enactment of H.R. 5037, as amended, the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, which prohibits disruptions of military funerals in national cemeteries.  The bill was signed into law by President Bush minutes before he attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Washington, DC, May 29 — Securing dignity for mourning military families — President George W. Bush signs the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act, prohibiting disruptions of military funerals in national cemeteries. From left, Patriot Guard Riders Executive Director Jeff Brown; House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer; Patriot Guard Rider Hugh Knaus, Jr.;  Patriot Guard Rider Frank Baranyai; Katie Youmans, wife of Sgt. Joshua Youmans and their daughter, MacKenzie; Patriot Guard Rider Jason Wallin; Catherine and William Drahiem, parents of Katie Youmans; Patriot Guard Rider Kurt Mayer (standing behind the Drahiems); President Bush; Patriot Guard Rider Sean James; Rep. Mike Rogers; Tenia Rogers, mother of Sgt. Rickey Jones; Donald Hughes, friend of Tenia Rogers; Michael Jones, brother of Sergeant Jones; Sen. Bill Frist and Sen. John Warner. White House photo by Paul Morse.

 The families of Army Sgt. Rickey E. Jones, of Kokomo, Ind., and Army Sgt. Joshua V. Youmans, of Flushing, Mich., two soldiers killed in Iraq, joined House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), bill co-sponsor Congressman Mike Rogers (R- Mich.) and Patriot Guard Riders Executive Director Jeff Brown in the Oval Office for the signing.  Both families had endured harassment by protestors cheering their sons’ deaths.

“It is fitting that legislation protecting the sanctity of military funerals at national cemeteries was signed into law on Memorial Day,” said Buyer.  “We owe the living spirit of those who made the highest sacrifice for our freedoms a profound debt of gratitude.  Our obligation to these heroes and their families includes a dignified funeral befitting their sacrifice.”

Also present for the signing were Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), Senate Committee on Armed Services Chairman John Warner (R-Va.), and other members of the Patriot Guard Riders: Jason Wallin, Kurt Mayer, Hugh Knaus, Jr., Sean James and Frank Baranyai.  The Patriot Guard Riders protect mourning families and friends from funeral disruptions and protestors.

“The service of the Patriot Guard Riders to these fallen heroes is deeply appreciated by the families, and we commend their commitment to protecting the dignity of the funeral services,” said Rep. Rogers.  “This law protecting our families is a testament to their patriotism, courage and compassion.”

Surrounded by a Gold Star mother and wife, Patriot Guard Riders, and lawmakers, putting down his pen, President Bush turned to the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and said, “Buyer, thank you for your leadership.”

The new law prohibits demonstrations taking place within 300 feet of the entrance of a national cemetery and within 150 feet of a road, pathway, or other route of ingress or egress from national cemeteries and Arlington National Cemetery, 60 minutes before and 60 minutes after a funeral.  

Before he signed the bill into law, Bush told the group about the Oval Office and the presidency itself, which he said is larger than any president, a fact all presidents must bear in mind.  Expressing his deep gratitude to the families of Jones and Youmans, and his sorrow at their loss, he reiterated his resolve to see the war on terror through, and his confidence that history would positively judge the nation’s resolve to offer the promise of liberty to all people.

Web link: Patriot Guard Riders: http://patriotguard.org/