http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14472418/detail.html?treets=bal&tml=bal_break&ts=T&tmi=bal_break_1_02530610312007

So many of you will be much more eloquent than I on this subject.  This is truly a case of "it's not about the money"-- because of course the money doesn't bring the son back -- just my heart went out to this father.  I won't speak for others here, but maybe you agree. 

Pan

Hi Pan,

I wish someone could explain the connection between this war and homosexuality to me. Where do people come up with these things? It isn't about the money but I'm glad they did it. Something needs to be done to teach these people that their behavior is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to disagree and the right to protest but it is an assault on human decency to behave like that at someone's funeral.

Reta

The first time I heard about this group I literally got sick at my stomach.  They have the right to believe what they want to (our soldiers help guarantee them that right), and they have the right to make their beliefs known.  But a funeral is NOT the place for that. 

Hey, Janet,

I had not heard about this until I saw the article when it first went to court and I was amazed at how awful it was.  Have your beliefs, whatever they may be, but AFTER the funeral, not AT the funeral. 

Pan

 

Even though I live in Kansas, I didn't know these people existed until my son was about to be deployed to Iraq. My daughter found out about this man and his congregation. The first thing I did was find the website of the Freedom Riders....I think that is their name and bookmarked it in case something were to happen, I could call them in to block out any protestors. I am so glad that this parent of a fallen soldier was able to win this case.  I do wonder what will be "up their sleeve" next, as Phelps and his wife are attorneys. Am so happy that someone finally "showed" them that they can't do just anything they want to do.

Enough said..

Karen

This group has showed up at two military funerals here in Arkansas that I have noticed in the last few months.  I guess we live too conveniently to Kansas.  At one of the funerals the Patriot Guard and a fire truck blocked the view of them from the family.  I didn't hear about them showing up at the funeral for the Soldier's children here last week, so I guess they didn't blame homosexuality on their death.  Some people just have to make everyone else as miserable as they are, it seems.  There are still fund-raisers going on for the family of the two children of the injured Soldier who died in the car accident.  I am about ready to start a protest for SUVs.  They are so much more prone to rollovers than some vehicles like minivans and cars.

Gran

the first time i heard of these bunch of *bad word here* was from a friend in sweden.  apparently, this joker hates a bunch of people (including swedes).  not long after, i saw a bit of news with them spreading their venom at a soldier's funeral.  i think him & his daughters are vile creatures.  actually, that is too mild of a word...i'm glad the media isn't giving them as much of an exposure as they would like, though (at least we don't see a lot of them in my neck of the woods).  it's not usual for me to hate total strangers but i have to say, i really really really hate them. 

They are just a bunch of  **bleep**.  I was so happy that grieving father won. God bless him.

I read about the PGR (Patriot Guard Riders) on the sales and donations page and came to the conclusion that they are a much needed buffer between mourning families and friends and those that lack a moral conscience and compassion. Thank you PGR for helping families of the military at a time when they are at their most vulnerable.

 

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".

Edmund Burke 

It is very easy to join the PGR y'all don't need a motorcycle, all they ask is you stand in respect for our fallen, they can always use people in the flag lines and you can drive your car or truck.  Besides anysoldier people some of the best people you will ever meet....

Lisa

 PGR member, also

Hi Reta,

From what I've heard about this "church", it's all one family of about 70 people.  Marriage outside the "church" is forbidden--their family tree is more like a stump.

The leader is a disbarred lawyer.  He got disbarred for perjury.  4 of his kids have "defected" from the family and say it is more of a cult.  They say his beliefs have nothing to do with any "religious beliefs", and that the "church" merely serves to enable his addiction to hate.  They said he is delusional.  The ACLU filed lawsuits on their behalf in Missouri and Ohio.  I assume they also have some sort of tax-free status, since they call themselves a "church".  Being a family of lawyers, I'm sure they have figured out a way not to get that American perk yanked away from them.  

Also on their "hate" list are: Ronald Reagan, William Rehnquist, Mormons, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Mr. Rogers, NFL player Reggie White, Bill & Hillary Clinton, Sweden, Ireland, Canada, etc.  In other words--everybody.  Rumor has it that he showed up at Al Gore's father's funeral, yelling vulgarities and screaming "Your dad's in hell."    They can be seen whenever there is a tragedy holding signs that read "God hates (fill in disaster victim; ex. miners)."

They seem to thrive on the publicity and attention they get.   The media would do us all a favor to quit publicizing their staged circuses. 

Maggie 

When the protesting group from Kansas showed up at a military funeral in our area, the newspaper included a pic of them along with a brief mention in the article about the funeral in which the Patriot Guard and the local firemen helped to form a passageway for the family to walk past them.  Some local people protested to the newspaper about mentioning them, but the editor replied that they reported the news and they were part of the news.

Gran

I'm a member of the PGR; signed in, cause I saw first handed what that's group signs were...They sing song and stand on the flag, including their children. They also showed up in the front of the military hospitals in D.C. area. The wife is a lawyer...at the beginning some of the family members or friends would loose their cool and "attack" the group - she did sue them for damages...that’s how they were able to finance their travels…as more people realized what that group was doing, the warnings went out before the funerals to completely ignore their sings and singing…The PGR was formed in late 2005 to shelter and protect the families from that filth…

It’s still tough for me to see the signs, although they almost stopped coming to my state. I haven’t seen them since May this year. Hopefully, they will get completely drained out of money…

I just went to wikipedia and read the entire entry on this group and I was disgusted.  I can't imagine what kind of people would protest while people are mourning their loved ones... it's sick.  I'm glad to hear that there are groups out there that are focussed on protecting these families and allowing them time to mourn.  I truly home that more states adopt laws to protect families from these malicious people.

Lisajan:

It is very easy to join the PGR y'all don't need a motorcycle, all they ask is you stand in respect for our fallen, they can always use people in the flag lines and you can drive your car or truck.  Besides anysoldier people some of the best people you will ever meet....

Lisa

 PGR member, also

 

The PGR are an awesome group. I had the privilege to stand with them at the funeral of a fallen local hero. Not only did they stand, they even took care of the young soldier's baby son, so the grandmother could stay at the service. We were standing in the heat while the service was going on in the chapel. The funeral director welcomed us inside to get out of the heat. The Grandmother who was trying to comfort the young crying child came into the room where we were and tried to calm the baby and all the while wanting to be at the service. One of the PGR's offered to take the baby so she could go back to the service. And then the most amazing thing...one of the MALE PGR'S offered a suggestion and it worked! The baby was comforted. In just a few minutes the Army Officer assigned to the family came into the room...where's the baby???where's the baby???..Not to worry sir, the baby is sound asleep and we promise not to run off with him!....Now I don't have a bike,but I did take my "support vehicle" and filled a cooler with water and snacks to offer the riders. I went along behind them in the escort procession from the funeral home to the gravesite. We went slow along the road and cars stopped in respect. It is an amazing site to see... We did not have any protestors that day,the emotion was high,the flags beautifully waving in the breeze.  The family of the fallen soldier made a point of walking over to shake hands and thank the Guard. This is an awesome group....their motto if you don't know it is "We Stand for those who stood for us."  Oh, they also clapped as the military offiicals entered the funeral home,saying thank you to them. I was so honored to be able to show my respect and say thank you in this very special way.

Lisa I agree with you...they are some of the best!!...