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Small School District Fights To Keep CSCOPE 6/18/13
Patriot Guard Riders Say New City Policy Stands In The Way Of Honoring Vets 3/17/13
CBS 7 News
mrist@cbs7.com
March 17, 2013
For years, the 600-strong local Patriot Guard Riders has honored veterans and their families with funeral processions, escorts for those returning home and big events like its annual “A Ride to Remember”.
Riders say the City of Midland’s new special event parade permits keeps them from honoring veterans
“The process has shut down the patriot guard Ride to Remember,” said Teresa Galloway, deputy state captain of the Texas Patriot Guard Riders.
They say insurance requirements are too steep for their group and that insurance providers won’t even write them a policy that meets the city’s standards.
“The insurance companies will not touch us,” said Galloway, adding that the issue is with a clause requiring both spectators and participants to be covered.
Galloway says up until now all riders signed insurance waivers, releasing liability.
For now, Galloway says funeral processions will still continue as they require less insurance coverage and those policies are available.
“They are taking away our right to honor the veterans,” Galloway said. “They paid the price—we’ve got to remember.”