The body of fallen soldier Andrew Velez has returned to Lubbock. Posted on 08/02/2006 8:28:02 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana
Body of Lubbock Soldier Returns Home
The body of fallen soldier Andrew Velez has returned to Lubbock.
The military transport plane carrying Velez` body arrived in Lubbock just after 4 p.m. Wednesday. Family members were there to meet the plane, while a hearse transported the body to Resthaven.
Meanwhile, members of a radical religious group from Kansas plan to picket Thursday night`s memorial service for Velez. But another group has been invited to help silence the protesters` anti-war message.
The Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas claims the soldiers are dying because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality. As a result, the group travels to military funerals to protest, carrying signs that are meant to shock.
"It`s a curse when one child comes home dead. There`s no point in standing out at a funeral. It`s a patriotic pep rally," church spokesperson Shirley Phelps Roper said on Tuesday. Roper says she will be one of the protesters here in Lubbock on Thursday.
But a group of bikers hope to drown out the protest. The Patriot Guard Riders are just that, guardians. In the words of J.D. McNamara, a member of the local Patriot Guard, this motorcycle group travels the country for one very important purpose" "Our mission is to honor the fallen to shield the family from any uninvited guests, and that is about as far as we go with it."
Using their bikes, bodies and the Stars and Stripes, the group forms a barrier between the grieving family and the protesters.
"We are not there to create any confrontation," points out McNamara. "We are there strictly to pay our respects."
That`s exactly what the Patriot Guard plans on doing Thursday night at the memorial service for Velez. Andrew`s father, Roy, invited the Guards to attend the service "so that there will be sufficient privacy at the memorial."
Velez says the Westboro group has a right to voice their opinion, but says, to him, their opinion doesn`t matter.
"I want to let them know that they`re at the wrong place, because no matter what they say or what they hold up, they can`t bring my boys back," he says.
State Senator Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, assures that there won`t be a disruption at the memorial service. A law recently passed in Texas, which was written by Duncan, states that protestors must remain at least 500-feet away from the service.
"The best approach to take is to ignore them," he says. "It`s just a handful of people who have an insane idea and all they want is attention."
Roy says he`s not worried about the protesters or what they might say, he`s just glad he now has a shield of silence and support.
"These guys are going to line up their motorcycles end-to-end. They`re going to set up at the 500-foot perimeter. Actually today, they became part of my family," he says.
A memorial service for Andrew Velez will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of the Nazarene at South Loop 289 and Chicago. The service is open to the public.
If you would like to ride, or stand with the Patriot Guard riders, you`re more than welcome. They just ask for you to bring your American flag.
If you would like more information on the Patriot Guard riders and what they`re all about, you can visit their website at www.patriotguard.org
The Patriot guard has almost 50,000 members nationwide.
PING
ping
Was listening to the radio late afternoon. The memorial service is at 7 p.m. Texas Time on the SW side of Lubbock. That means I can leave work just a little early and get over there in time to attend.
Any other FReepers going to pay their respects (and give Phelps group the finger)?
I'll be there if I can at all swing it.
I'll look for the New Mexico plates and the finger. (Although that IS admittedly a regular sight on the SW loop!)
"Any other FReepers going to pay their respects (and give Phelps group the finger)?"
Have finger, will travel. :-)
ping
Thanks for the ping, HR...and to CedarDave for making the trip on behalf of so many of us who can't be there.
It's clear the Velez family will appreciate your efforts!
If only a cattle truck could be positioned upwind from Phelps and his bunch. (Those trucks get ripe in the summer around here).
I heard tonight that property owners around the Nazarene Church will charge the Phelps group with trespassing if they encroach on any surrounding property. Doesn't that just leave Phelps and his bunch the access road? That access road isn't even safe when I'm in my car.....everything else around there is under construction, isn't it? Am I thinking of the right place?
Brown Chevy Silverado with silver tool box, will fly a flag from my antenna. Like to meet any FReepers if I can.
I sure wish I could go...I just feel so bad for Mr. Velez..he has sacrificed so much for me and mine.
I was by there a couple of weeks ago. I think most of the construction is further to the northwest on the loop. No doubt the TV crews will be all over the area too. Don't know how crowd/traffic control is going to be done. It will definitely be a zoo.
I looked at it on the Google satellite map. There's another big church w/big parking right next to the Nazarene, if I recall, otherwise it's that access road that not even the quickest jackrabbit stands a chance on normally.
Just pray for them. Mr. Velez said last week that the only way he could bear any of this was the knowledge that all of America is praying them through it.
I have been praying for that poor man since I first heard about this...I have seen him on TV, and he breaks my heart.
God Bless him.
Ping to FReeper who wanted to know when the Velez funeral would take place so could attend ...
~~~~~
God bless and keep the Velez Family. Please surround them with love and light and the biggest "Cone of Silence" that can be mustered for their son's memorial service.
Hooray for the people who will work to insure that those nutjobs don't mar the ceremony.
May the Lord comfort and shield the Velez family, today especially. Roy Velez's pride in his fine sons and continued patriotism to the great country for which they gave their lives is most inspirational. They are ALL in my prayers.
I won't be able to attend this mission although I wish I could..but rest assured, the Guard will make sure the service is private.
To everyone else attending, the guard doesn't flip birds or in any way even acknowledge the presense of protestors. The best thing FReepers can do is keep their fingers to themselves and simply show respect to the family by ensuring the protestors are surrounded and IGNORED.
God Bless Our Troops
Mrs. Velez just called in to a morning radio show (God Bless her) and echoed your last paragraph, FYI.
service starts very soon not sure exact time.... 6:15 central maybe?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.