Took My Flag To A Funeral Today

[Husker1911]

I didn't know Army Corporal Jeremy Jones. At age 25, he was killed last month in Iraq. I didn't attend the funeral itself, but I took my 3' X 5' Stars & Stripes and stood outside the Omaha church where the funeral was held. You see, there were to be members of Fred Phelps' church from Topeka, Kansas there to protest at the funeral. These are the oxygen thieves that make a habit of attending funerals of fallen American veterans to wave their signs with slogans like "God killed your son because America allows fags."

I'd heard of similar protests by this group of troglodytes recently, and heard of the Patriot Guard Riders, too. This is the motorcycle group that attends funerals where the Phelps' group plans to protest. The Patriot Guard Riders shield the vet's families from the protesting kooks. The riders only attend if invited by the veteran's family.

I'm not a motorcyclist. I'm an average American guy. It was my intention and desire to turn out today to show respect for this fallen hero, and to show support for his family. Let me tell you about what I observed today. When I got to the church, there were hundreds of motorcycles parked in a double line for blocks on either side of the church. Small hand-held flags by the hundreds were clearly visible, along with a couple dozen of larger flags, like I was carrying. There were motorcyclists in leather and colors. I'm sure not all these riders were Patriot Guard, but were there to help and to show their respects. There were everyday folks, and many police. The streets were blocked off, and there were probably three dozen motorcycle policemen. I never saw any protesters.

The funeral procession pulled up, and the Patriot Guard, police, and veterans in the crowd stood at attention. A military honor guard carried the flag bedecked casket into the church. The family and attendees entered the church, and the doors were closed. A few people in the crowd left then, but surprisingly few. After the service, the honor guard brought out the casket and placed it again into the hearse. After a short time, the police motorcycles started up and left. It was then the 300 to 400 Patriot Guard and other motorcycles started up, and followed the funeral procession, on their way to the cemetery.

I'd like to tell you how moving this experience was. To see many common citizens, and especially the Patriot Guard Riders turn out to pay their respects to this fallen hero was magnificent. While I criticize the whacko church group that planned to protest, I recognize their First Amendment rights. All I can say is that along with those wonderful rights come responsibilities.

Moderator's Warning: The site this link leads to has been hacked, and contains obscenity. Leaving the link in the hopes the site will be restored.

A link to the Patriot Guard Riders. http://www.patriotguard.org/

 

[XLMiguel]

Thanks for your efforts, Husker. Pax vobiscum.

 

[Preacherman]

From all of us, well done! Were the Phelps crew visible at all?

 

[rbernie]

Good wicket, Husker - damn good wicket.

 

[3fgburner]

I'd heard of similar protests by this group of troglodytes recently, and heard of the Patriot Guard Riders, too. This is the motorcycle group that attends funerals where the Phelps' group plans to protest. The Patriot Guard Riders shield the vet's families from the protesting kooks. The riders only attend if invited by the veteran's family.

I'm not a motorcyclist. I'm an average American guy. It was my intention and desire to turn out today to show respect for this fallen hero, and to show support for his family.

Moderator's Warning: The site this link leads to has been hacked, and contains obscenity. Leaving the link in the hopes the site will be restored.


Head back over to the Patriot Guard site, and click the Join link. You're already doing the deed, so you might as well consider yourself a PGR member.

I'm not a rider, either. They don't have any problem with people showing up in "cages". In fact, that big-@$$ cooler of cold water in my vehicle came in handy, on Tuesday. The over-decorated kimchee-burner riding tail-end-Charlie behind the bikes in this pic, is me.

 

[1911_CQB]

As a service member, those people make me sick. I saw one of there peope on cnn or fox news I cant rerember, and It just pissed me off beyond belief. Im actually getting mada gain thinking about it.

 

[gezzer]

Thank You

 

[3fgburner]

As a service member, those people make me sick. I saw one of there peope on cnn or fox news I cant rerember, and It just pissed me off beyond belief. Im actually getting mada gain thinking about it.

CQB, This might be the link you're talking about. FoxNews host Julie Banderas administers a major smackdown to one of Phelps's spawn, Shirley Phelps-Roper. It's interesting to note, in among the yelling and whatnot, that the PhelpsSpawn(tm) does NOT like the PGR.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Sean Hannity beat up the lawyer for them scumbags on his talk show a couple of months ago.

Husker, I salute you for your show of respect to one of our fallen comrads.

 

[mountainclmbr]

Thanks from me too. I am sure the family feels a thanks that they can't put into words and don't even know who to send the thanks to. I am sure that the presence of patriots like you saved them from an experience that would have greatly increased their grief.

Regards,

 

[1911_CQB]

That was the one. We watched it in my squadron one night. And needless to say, words were said , things were thrown, and you had a bunch of pissed off crew chiefs, and all of us have been down range, so we all felt insulted by that....*maintain composure* person.

 

[American By Blood]

I don't support the war in Iraq.

However, honoring dead soldiers regardless of the conflict they fell in is one of the most respectable expressions of patriotism a man can engage in. It is especially important when loudmouths are unable to divorce the war from the warriors.

Thank you for your service at this funeral.

 

[Rich K]

Thanks, indeed. Outstanding job.

 

[GrammatonCleric]

Husker

Thank you. May Crom keep and protect you.

 

[1911Tuner]

Flag

God bless ya Husker, and many thanks for standing your ground.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Well done!!

AFS

 

[Tokugawa]

Good Work Husker! About a week ago I attended the funeral of PFC Devon Gibbons, of Port Orchard Wa, he died of wounds recieved in an IED atack in Iraq. Three of his comrades were killed instantly when the device exploded under thier Bradley.
I have never felt like this before but something compelled me to go buy a large flag and stand with the Patriot Guard Riders. Truly a moving event.
On Sunday the PGR atteneded the funeral of SGT Norton in Tumwater Wa, killed in action in Iraq. I was unable to attend, but stopprd by to pay my respects on Monday after taking a long ride around the back side of Mt. Rainer. Seeing a group of young rangers and thier girls out enjoying the day really put a twist in my heart.
And yes, I said "Thank You!"

 

[grampster]

Husker,
Well done, well said.

 

[BrennanKG]

Husker,

Thank you and well done.

I just watched the feed of Ms. Banderas verbally caning that...creature.
Julie Banderas rage was palpable and heartening.

The high point in FoxNews' history.



B.

 

[AndyC]

Hmph - where's the beer icon?

Thanks for your efforts, Husker.

 

[FTF]

The grieving families deserve support... hell, they deserve a lot more than support, but I'm sure every little bit helps. It's not going to bring their loved ones back, but hopefully they realize how many others grieve with them.

If, god forbid, another US troop dies in my state/county, I'm doing the same thing. Anyone who protests US policy at a soldier/airman/marines funeral deserves to be human minesweepers.

 

[Hardware]

For once the elected rascals downstate in Delaware did something right and passed a law making it illegal to protest at any funeral. No more problems from Phelps and his band of followers. They did protest one funeral here in the first state and there was a counterprotest. The state police had to bus Phelp's crew in and scramble to quickly bus them out as objects were being thrown at them by the counter protesters. (I have an airtight alibi and for shame on you to even think I would do someting like that )

But those Patriot Guard riders are doing it right.

Now, the way I hear it Phelps and company allegedly videotape every protest and have a lawyer on a short leash to sue anybody who may get upset and lash out at their religious activity. The only thing worse than someone who'd protest at the funeral of a fallen servicman is someone looking to profit by it.

 

[3fgburner]

"Lawyer on a leash"?

Now, the way I hear it Phelps and company allegedly videotape every protest and have a lawyer on a short leash to sue anybody who may get upset and lash out at their religious activity. The only thing worse than someone who'd protest at the funeral of a fallen servicman is someone looking to profit by it.

Ain't just "a" lawyer. Eleven of Phelps's thirteen spawn are lawyers. I believe that includes the Phelps-Roper b!+$# that got shredded by Banderas, on Fox. I would say that the fact he spawned eleven lawyers says everything about Phelps.

 

[Thefabulousfink]

What I don't get is how the Phelps group even THINK that they have a right to protest a funeral.

The First Amendment protects the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. It does not allow you to protest other citizens.

Phelps group is persecuting and trying to intimidate these families just like the KKK use to do to black families. Protesting a funeral is just like burning a cross on someone's lawn, and neither are protected froms of speech.

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to intimidate or harass people who's views you do not agree with. Phelps can march his little family/church on the Capital or down main st until his feet fall off, but he should be rotting in jail for the targeting and harassing of these families.

 

[Billy_H]

My friend's funeral, killed in Afghanistan, was last Thursday and the Patriot Guard Riders were there...it was an awesome sight. I walked over to where they were staging their bikes and tried to say some of the things I had in mind, but couldn't get the words out there (I did end up posting on their site). They were all very gracious and accompanied us on the 50 mile ride from church to grave site.

10 protesters were supposed to be out (some said they were there, but we never saw them) to test out the new Florida law that forbids protests at a funeral with military honors. Having 100+ PGR there was a nice touch.