Motorcyclists Roll to Soldier Funerals

mike · #1 02-22-2006, 03:15 PM

Pretty interesting! These 5,000 bikers started visiting funerals to counter the preacher that believes IED are the work of God. People go way too far with their "Freedom of Speech".

Quote:

Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.

They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.

Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs — explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.

The bikers shield the families of dead soldiers from the protesters, and overshadow the jeers with patriotic chants and a sea of red, white and blue flags.

"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

At least 14 states are considering laws aimed at the funeral protesters, who at a recent memorial service at Fort Campbell wrapped themselves in upside-down American flags. They danced and sang impromptu songs peppered with vulgarities that condemned homosexuals and soldiers.

The Patriot Guard was also there, waving up a ruckus of support for the families across the street. Community members came in the freezing rain to chant "U-S-A, U-S-A" alongside them.

"This is just the right thing to do. This is something America didn't do in the '70s," said Kurt Mayer, the group's national spokesman. "Whether we agree with why we're over there, these soldiers are dying to protect our freedoms."

Shirley Phelps-Roper, a daughter of Fred Phelps and an attorney for the Topeka, Kan.-based church, said neither state laws nor the Patriot Guard can silence their message that God killed the soldiers because they fought for a country that embraces homosexuals.

"The scriptures are crystal clear that when God sets out to punish a nation, it is with the sword. An IED is just a broken-up sword," Phelps-Roper said. "Since that is his weapon of choice, our forum of choice has got to be a dead soldier's funeral."

The church, Westboro Baptist Church, is not affiliated with a larger denomination and is made up mostly of Fred Phelps' extended family members.

During the 1990s, church members were known mostly for picketing the funerals of AIDS victims, and they have long been tracked as a hate group by the Montgomery, Ala.-based Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project.

The project's deputy director, Heidi Beirich, said other groups have tried to counter Phelps' message, but none has been as organized as the Patriot Guard.

"I'm not sure anybody has gone to this length to stand in solidarity," she said. "It's nice that these veterans and their supporters are trying to do something. I can't imagine anything worse, your loved one is killed in Iraq and you've got to deal with Fred Phelps."

Kentucky, home to sprawling Fort Campbell along the Tennessee line, was among the first states to attempt to deal with Phelps legislatively. Its House and Senate have each passed bills that would limit people from protesting within 300 feet of a funeral or memorial service. The Senate version would also keep protesters from being within earshot of grieving friends and family members.

Richard Wilbur, a retired police detective, said his Indiana Patriot Guard group only comes to funerals if invited by family. He said he has no problem with protests against the war but sees no place for objectors at a family's final goodbye to a soldier.

"No one deserves this," he said.

eddiev9 · #2 02-22-2006, 04:07 PM

I salute the Patriot Guard Riders!

What they're doing for the country and the families is really honorable.

As for the protesters...there's a time and place to speak freely...and it is not at someone's funeral!

Church members, are they? May God judge them accordingly.

Doutdes · #3 02-24-2006, 02:02 AM

This is a great idea. I like how the Indiana branch only comes if the family requests it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiev9

As for the protesters...there's a time and place to speak freely...and it is not at someone's funeral!

Church members, are they? May God judge them accordingly.

I'm not sure I would deign to call the Phelps clan protesters. There is certainly a wide gulf between anti-war protesters and that lunatic and his church (otherwise known as family).

mike · #4 02-24-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

I'm not sure I would deign to call the Phelps clan protesters. There is certainly a wide gulf between anti-war protesters and that lunatic and his church (otherwise known as family).

I agree 100% percent. These idiots are at a funeral due to religious beliefs, not for their view on the war in Iraq.

Wow! I agreed with Doutdes!

eddiev9 · #5 02-24-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

I agree 100% percent. These idiots are at a funeral due to religious beliefs, not for their view on the war in Iraq.

Wow! I agreed with Doutdes!

Well, I had to call them something (couldn't think of a word at the moment except

)...but yeah, I agree "idiots" is a better word.

Mr. Joe · #6 06-10-2006, 04:39 PM

Well, idiot may be a little strong, but acceptable. I think Hard-Headed Fundamentalists who literally translate condemning passages from the Bible and appoint themselves as Judges, or God's spokesmen on earth are surely misguided when they believe that the whole military deserves to be punished because of the unnatural and sinful behavior of the few homosexuals in that group. And to interrupt a hero's funeral seems to me a shameful crime, also.

Turk · #7 06-13-2006, 04:27 AM

This preacher and his followers are worse than idiots, Mike was too polite! I think the term doosh bags is more fitting. It is immoral on any level to interfere with anybody's right to mourn their dead in peace. Think I'll join the motorcyclists.

mike · #8 06-13-2006, 10:39 AM

Here is a video of the idiot's leader.

Mr. Joe · #9 06-13-2006, 07:35 PM

WHAT A COUNTRY! LET FREEDOM RING! Many of us died so that freedom of speech is alive today. We are not perfect, but better than most...

mike · #10 06-14-2006, 03:39 AM

I love that Fox News reporter! She went on the attack.

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