Local residents turned out in droves Friday to support the
family of Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic, who was killed in Afghanistan
last month.

And hundreds of Patriot Guard Riders from Virginia, Canada, New
York, Ohio, West Virginia and all across Pennsylvania attended. One
rider came from Australia. Some drove trucks or cars instead of
motorcycles, as the idea of the ride – honor and respect for
America’s veterans – is more important than the means of
transportation.

The riders stood at the west end of the driveway in front of St.
Bernard School – shoulder to shoulder, a line of leather, denim and
red, white and blue blocking any view of the protesters from the
church.

They didn’t speak much but stood a solemn and respectful watch
in front of the school until some Army officers came out and asked
them to line up at the cemetery as a backdrop for the 21-gun
salute.

“Things went very well,” said Officer Jeff Shade of the Bradford
Township Police after the services. “People showed respect for the
family of Thom Maholic and didn’t give the protesters the attention
they were striving for.

“You could tell there were upset people, but they maintained
their composure,” he said.

“The large police presence helped,” he said. Shade said Bradford
Township police were helped out by Bradford City, Foster Township,
Smethport Borough and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford police,
as well as McKean, Warren and Clarion counties sheriffs’ offices.
The National Guard helped out as well.

“I don’t think (the protesters) got the attention they wanted,”
Shade said with a smile. Somberly shaking his head, he added, “this
is the wrong place to do it.”

“We commend the motorcyclists,” said McKean County Sheriff Brad
Mason, referring to the Patriot Guard Riders. “Their
self-discipline is impressive. They set out to support the family
and that’s exactly what they did.”

Shade said the families living around the area where the
protesters were located were very cooperative with the police.

Valerie and Brian Abers, whose home was located right next to
where the protesters were located, said they were glad the family
of Master Sgt. Thomas Maholic was spared having to see the
protesters.

“If they are down here,” Valerie Abers said, gesturing towards
the protesters, “they are far away from (the family).”

“If I could have found a sign that said ‘God Bless Our Troops,’
I’d have it in the middle of our yard,” Brian Abers said, fastening
his flag to his porch before the protesters arrived. Instead, they
wrote it on their front window.

Some local residents turned out with signs of their own, bearing
messages such as “Hatred is Not A Family Value.”

“(The Armed Forces) are out there fighting for those people’s
lives that are protesting,” said Tamie Spry, one of the handful of
people holding signs in the Abers’s yard. The group was standing by
a rainbow flag.

Kelli Luce was wearing a shirt in support of homosexuality and
holding a sign that said “Jesus Loves Me Too.”

“They are teaching their kids it’s OK to hate,” Melissa Vecellio
said. “It’s supposed to be a religious order.”