BARAGA -- A group of riders from across the state also paid their respects at Monday's funeral for Specialist Robert Voakes, Jr.
They're the Patriot Guard Riders, a nationwide organization of more than 200,000 members. Thirty-five-hundred members are in Michigan.
They escorted Specialist Voakes from the airport, attended the visitation, funeral and burial.
They also protect communities and families from military protestors, but they stick to their focus.
"We keep our focus on the person that we're here for today and his family because they've now paid the ultimate price of our freedom--that last full measure of devotion--and we don't take this lightly," said Patriot Guard Rider Captain, Sam Cottle.
The Westboro Baptist Church had issued a press release that they'd be at Monday's events, but they did not attend.
According to the Patriot Guard Riders, the church issues these announcements for the funeral of every solider killed in action.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC