Bikers and military funerals.

KOKOMO, Ind. - In a community that turns out to honor military sacrifice, hundreds of people showed up on a dreary, chilly winter morning Monday to pay their final respects to Sgt. Rickey Jones, the latest Indiana soldier to die in Iraq. Leather-, denim- and camouflage-clad motorcyclists and other veterans held up U.S. flags in mostly silent tribute to Jones outside the funeral at Crossroads Community Church, a mere stone's throw from a route designated Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. "He is our brother. Most of us are veterans, or relatives of veterans. He is family," said Hugo Reese, of Argos, an Indiana ride captain for the Patriot Guard Riders. Reese's group has mobilized in recent months to honor fallen U.S. service members and shield their families from protesters at funerals. As many as 400 members from Indiana and surrounding states came to Jones' funeral, Reese said, along with others from the Vietnam Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rolling Thunder and other groups. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/14030489.htm