Protestors attending 7 Fallen Soldiers Memorial Service? What an outrage!?

Question

Feb 21st at 9am in El Paso, TX there is going to be a memorial for (now) 7 fallen soldiers from the 4-1 CAV from Ft. Bliss. I was just informed that a radical group, known as the Westboro Baptist Church, is going to show up and protest. Not against peace, but in celebration of the death of our soldiers!



Message from group: "These six soldiers were slain by God Almighty, the Man of War, for enlisting and serving in a f*g army in a f*g nation. This is the message, you simpletons: fight for a doomed nation, and you will suffer the consequences! These six died as an example for you, that should afterward live ungodly and who would have none of God's reproof. america is doomed."



WHAT AN OUTRAGE not to mention a horrible display of disrespect those men who fought so they have the freedom to do this.

My husband is currently in Iraq and is from the 4-1 CAV here at Ft Bliss. This is his second tour in Iraq since this war began, in addition to one tour in Afghanistan.

Answer 1

Maybe the good citizens need to pay a vist to the church.

Answer 2

My husband is in the Army ( he is in Iraq too) and he went to a funeral last year for a young man who had died in the war. These people showed up but there was a group of motorcycles who stood with flag so that the family would not have to see them. I know it upset him very much so I can start to know how it must have made the family feel. There is now a law in TX that keep them from coming to the grave site and I think there maybe one to keep them away all together but I'm not sure.

Answer 3

These freaks should all be taken out and shot.

I don't give two rats asses if you support this war or not - our men and women in uniform have spilled a lot of blood over the past 230+ years so idiots like that can spew their vile hatred. Anyone who doesn't respect our military is NOT worthy of the scarifices our military has made on their behalf.

Bobbie - THAT attitude is EXACTLY what's wrong with this country. Quit pointing fingers at the other side. God knows there are more than enough dumbass liberals.

Answer 4

There is a counter-demonstration group of Veterans that tries to counteract these whackos and shield the families from their awful signs.

I can't remember the name, but I met an Oklahoma State Trooper who is a member and assists other like-minded veterans in trying to counteract these vile people.

Liberal or conservative, honoring our fallen is a sacred thing and I really wish the government would label this stuff as hate speech.

Why should any American have the right to thrust their political or moral views at a memorial service to those who gave their lives for all of us. At some point, we really need to draw the line and say, you know this venue is the not place or the time for your protest.

Answer 5

The Rev. Fred Phelps and his psyco followers at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, KS, have been doing this for years. They originally gained notoriety by picketing Matthew Shepherd's funeral in Wyoming and, in the past few years have continued their campaign of "God Hates Everyone" by picketing the funerals of slain U.S. soldiers.

In short, Fred and his likeminded daughter Shirley, believe that God hates americans for their tolerance of gay and lesbian love and that each soldier slain in Iraq is just another act by God to punish our nation.

These zealots are neither republican or democrat. They are freaks and should be ignored, to the extent that it's possible while mourning the death of a fallen soldier.

There is a group of veterans who will attend the funeral of a soldier at the family's request. They're called the Patriot Guard Riders and they usually come on motorcycles, carrying gigantic U.S. flags, which they hold while standing in front of the Westboro Baptist Church freaks.

I know it's hard not to get upset over such blatant disrespect -- and the thought of so many clearly disturbed individuals -- but please try to shake it off. They are a group of in-bred, insane individuals who believe in a God who hates all and they thrive on attention, no matter what kind. Even the biggest bigots and the most religious zealots on the planet are ashamed and afraid of the WBC congregation.

By all means, attend the memorial service, please. And be sure to walk past these idiots with your nose in the air. To engage in a shouting match with them will only encourage them.

Peace to you and yours.

Answer 6

That is an outrage and I feel sorry for those protestor's children. I don't even think they realize that because our soldiers have given their lives for freedom throughout history, they have the right to say what they are saying. It's sad that they don't realize this. Hopefully they will get blocked out by security personell or something so they won't get to disrespect anyone.

Answer 7

I think I have heard this lady before. Her and her kids do this. She if F**king nuts. I have heard her on the radio and she is a raving lunatic. It is one thing to hate the war, but to hate the people fighting the war is just wrong. They think God is judging out soldiers, she will be judged one day and she won't be happy.

Answer 8

From what I'm aware of, no president since, like, Regan (?) has attended. Not even the "Bushes." I could be wrong, but you're judging based on no facts whatsoever...

Answer 9

It is an outrage, however, is this not what our good citizens of Canada and the US stand for? Freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech etc?
The population will see them for what they are: small narrow minded bigots.
And yes I am Canadian....hoping to go to Afghanistan next year.

Answer 10

Those people are nutbags. They're not going to shut up and go away any time soon. So just ignore them. The lack of attention will do more to silence them than anything else.