Posted on 10/13/2006 10:44:16 AM PDT by oxcart
Men and women of the Patriot Guard Riders have one main mission: Show respect for soldiers killed in war and shield the mourning families and friends from protesters.
Protests and military funerals
President Bush signed a law on Memorial Day banning protests within 300 feet of national cemeteries. Last month, he said it "ensures that families of fallen service members will not have to endure protests during military funerals."
Florida law also states that anyone who willfully interrupts or disturbs a military funeral honors detail commits a first-degree misdemeanor.
On Saturday, the men and women of this national motorcyclists organization will be in Orange City to serve as a buffer between the family of Spc. Angelo Vaccaro and protesters from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. Vaccaro, a 23-year-old Army medic from Deltona was killed Oct. 2 while trying to rescue fellow soldiers wounded in an ambush in Afghanistan. He will be laid to rest at Deltona Memorial Gardens at 1295 Saxon Blvd. in Orange City.
"We honor these fallen heroes by creating a line of our members standing with 3-by-5 (foot) flags and do our best to ensure that the family is not disturbed," said Bobbie Bilotta, the Patriot Guard Riders Florida State Captain. "If possible we do not let the family be seen by the group."
The funeral has attracted the attention of the Topeka church group, which, according to its Web site, "adhere to the teachings of the Bible and preaches against all form of sin (e.g., fornication, adultery, sodomy)."
On Thursday, Shirley Phelps-Roper, an attorney and member of the church, confirmed that 10 members will come to Orange City to picket Vaccaro's funeral. The church is not protesting the Iraq or Afghanistan war but the nation's disobedience to God, Phelps-Roper said.
"It is a curse when the child comes home dead from battle," Phelps-Roper said. "War is the mechanism God is using to punish and will use to destroy this nation.
"We will be on the public right of way with our signs that say God hates fags, Thank God for dead soldiers and Thank God for IEDs," Phelps-Roper said.
Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten said by telephone that he is familiar with the "profane and abusive" signs the church group uses. He said he sent a letter of apology to Orange City law enforcement after learning of the group's plans.
"To our friends in Orange City, we want them to know that this group of people does not represent our city or the values of our citizens in any way," Bunten said. "They carry lewd signs that are abusive and profane to people who disagree with them. I want the mayor and the police to know that they can take whatever action necessary to protect the peace in their city."
It is not yet clear how Orange City officials will handle the situation, but Florida law states that persons who interrupt or disturb a military funeral commit a first-degree misdemeanor.
Orange City police Sgt. Jason Sampsell said officers who are on vacation have been asked to report for duty in uniform on Saturday. Ten Florida Highway Patrol troopers are expected to help with traffic, Sampsell said, acknowledging his department had heard from Bunten.
The Sheriff's Office will provide deputies to escort the family from their homes to the funeral service, said sheriff's spokesman Brandon Haught.
The Patriot Guard Riders started in early August of 2005 with the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas. They were appalled to hear that a fallen hero's memory was being tarnished by "misguided religious zealots who were protesting at funerals," according to the organization's Web site.
"We are strictly legal and nonviolent, in other words: We ignore them," Bilotta said. "They only see our backs."
Good for the Patriot Guard Riders. Phelps had his 'group' show no respect for anyone but themselves.
ff
ff
Florida
Florida.
There is an easy solution: Beat these protestors up every single time they come to protest. They will get the message sooner or later.
Boy, when some grieving family member finally goes postal on these vermin, as I think is inevitable, I hope I get to sit on the jury.
(((PING)))
I agree. This group is either:
1. Completely misguided and attempting to do good, in their hearts.
or
2. Not Christian at all but feed on the publicity.
I think #2.
So would I.
Which is precisely what the oligarchy planning for.
Better yet, find the magnates writing the checks and expose them via conservative venues.
#3... is a church founded by a lawyer, who's family are lawyers and are waiting for someone to attack them so they can sue....
If my son were killed in Iraq and some pukes came to protest at his funeral I'd target the leader of the protest and his or her family with my .223.
Then go to jail willingly.
Good point - though that ties in to #2.
Good point - though that ties in to #2.
'Yes sir, I believe I can render an impartial verdict, as long as the sentence is flaying while alive'
[Boy, when some grieving family member finally goes postal on these vermin, as I think is inevitable, I hope I get to sit on the jury.]
Amen, brother! I don't care what the charge is, if it happens to Flaming Fred Felps and his Band of Butt Buddies, I'll happily hang the jury.
If I'm on the jury, it's open season on the westboro Baptist church with a no bag limit.
Given that they need money to fund their activities, your suggestion would just put money in their coffers.
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