In a mix of laughs, shouts and tears, members of the Patriot Guard were honored, Thursday, for their service to grieving families as a six mile section of K-53 was dedicated in their honor.
    Dressed from head to toe in leather attire, members of the Patriot Guard overflowed Mulvane’s City Council chambers as city and state officials honored not only the guard, but the man behind the dedication.
    Late State Rep. Ted Powers had the idea of naming the section of K-53 for the riders but died before he could see his legislation pass. In the last legislative session of the year, the bill passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate.
    His widow, Betty Mae Powers and son Teddy Powers were in attendance to accept a certificate from the Patriot Guard for their loved one’s service in getting the legislation passed. Rep. Donald Betts was also on hand for the ceremony.
    “The dedication of the Patriot Guard Highway is a small way for the state of Kansas and the City of Mulvane to recognize a movement that in four short years has spread across the nation just up from K-15. Incensed on the disrespect that was being shown at the funerals for our military men who died in combat, the American Legion Post No. 36 took the mission to preserve a fallen heroes memory and honor and to provide support for their families,” Mulvane Mayor James Ford said.
    The group’s first mission was in Chelsea, Okla., in 2005. Since then a legion of riders had provided a safe barrier between grieving family members and protests — having completed 69 missions, Ford said.
    Kansas Department of Transportation director Deb Miller was on hand to unveil the new sign. Miller said it was great to be in a room full of people who loved the open road, but added it took more than that to get a highway named for them.
    “What sets this group apart is the compassion they have shown. What makes them special is their caring for families suffering through one of the worst times of their lives,” said Miller.
    Founders Terry and Carol Houck were on hand for the ceremony. Terry Houck thanked all the law enforcement agencies that have assisted in any way with the missions and all his fellow riders. He said not only did the naming of Patriot Guard Highway honor the guard, but all military personnel.
    “Perhaps you’ve heard the definition of a veteran. A veteran — whether retired, active duty, National Guard or reserve — is someone who at one point wrote a blank check payable to the United States of America on top of the amount of and up to including their life, my life, every veteran in this room’s life,” said Houck.
    The Powers family, along with Houck and the state and local officials unveiled the signage to the crowd. Covered in the blue Kansas flag, Betty Powers took one end while Miller took another. Smiles, shouts and claps quickly followed as the room erupted at the sight.
    In a compassionate sign of respect and love, the leather-clad Patriot began to sing as Powers left to enter a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle to the signage site. Softly singing “Happy Birthday,” the men and women remembered her birthday, coincidentally on the date and dedication of the highway. She turned 74.

    As motorcycle engines revved, the dozens of Patriot Guard members gathered to go to the site. Heading out — following Powers, Miller, and Ford in the patrol car — a statement Ford had read earlier came to fruition as rider after rider drove in the rain.
    “Alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much."