A few minutes in the parking lot is all it would have taken to silence the small group of protesters holding "Pray for More Dead Soldiers" signs.

It's a fair bet that everyone would have looked the other way if Gary Yokum and his group had decided to leave the hecklers with a few black eyes and bruises.

But Utah's Patriot Guard Riders know there is a better way. The bikers have always taken the high road while honoring America's soldiers, even if it means clenching their teeth while somebody stomps on Old Glory and waves a banner proclaiming, "God Killed Your Sons."

Thankfully, Yokum and his comrades have only had to experience the despicable message of the Westboro (Kansas) Baptist Church once, at a South Jordan soldier's funeral two years ago. The church, known for its "God Hates America" protests, sent a handful of picketers to interrupt the funeral of Jesse Blamires, whose helicopter was shot down by Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

Yokum and his biker pals were determined to keep Blamires' family and friends from seeing the Westboro group's hateful slogans. At the cemetery, where the protesters were required to stay 200 feet away, the bikers fired up their Harley-Davidsons and tricked the group into thinking the procession was heading for the exit.

Meanwhile, the family of the fallen soldier was led the other way.

"I support free speech, but this (group's) tactics fall into verbal assault," says Yokum, 53, a computer tech at Hill Air Force Base who serves as chapter captain of the Patriot Guard Riders for Utah. "It's an honor to stand up for soldiers killed in action and support their families. They deserve our salutes and respect."

Heading into Memorial Day weekend, Yokum wanted to get together for a Free Lunch of steak and salad at the Lone Star Grill in Centerville to share the importance of honoring those who have paid the ultimate price.

He and about 300 other active Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to more than 100 soldiers' funerals since the Utah chapter was started four years ago. The club also shows up by request at airports to salute military members returning home from duty overseas.

Clad in leather and denim and sporting more than a few tattoos, the men (and several women) definitely stand out as they ride in "missing man" formation to cemeteries, with flags flying behind their motorcycles.

"At some funerals, a few people definitely look at us with shock on their faces," says Yokum, "but by the end of the afternoon, they're hugging us, grateful we're there. I always tell the guys, 'If there aren't tears behind your sunglasses, you're not human.'"