300 stood at the funeral home.
A mile away stood over 300 more. Citizens of Weston, Missouri, members of the Patriot Guard, VFW, American Legion, active duty soldiers, friends and supporters from near and far stood the line, the corners and the streets. 
They arrived early and filled every parking space, road side, nook and cranny to block the Phelps protestors.
There was no room for the protestor’s bus to park. The protestors were only allowed a fifteen foot section of sidewalk. When the demonstration began the Patriot Riders revved up to full throttle to drown out the noise. A local business set up a stereo system and played Amazing Grace along with music by Lee Greenwood.
They arrived early and filled every parking space, road side, nook and cranny to block the Phelps protestors.There was no room for the protestor’s bus to park. The protestors were only allowed a fifteen foot section of sidewalk. When the demonstration began the Patriot Riders revved up to full throttle to drown out the noise. A local business set up a stereo system and played Amazing Grace along with music by Lee Greenwood.
Another local business brought their huge flag and set it by the group. Supporters of the Sadell family would move the flag to block the view of the unwanted demonstrators as they moved.
“The American Flag does not fly because the wind moves past it. The American Flag flies from the last breath of each Soldier, Sailor, Airman & Marine who has died protecting it.”
The Phelps group of 7 only stayed about ten minutes - their mission was futile.
Members of The American Legion and VFW
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN: A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." Author Unknown
A few links if you are interested
http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-cjsadell-funeral-westboro-church-protest-110610,0,3649584.story
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2010/11/07/exp.nr.blocking.funeral.protestors.cnn.html
We support Our Veterans!
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2010/11/07/exp.nr.blocking.funeral.protestors.cnn.html
We support Our Veterans!
Members of The American Legion and VFWWe support the Patriot Guard!
DEFINITION OF A VETERAN: A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life." Author Unknown
Photos courtesy of Rebecca Rooney and April Lipscomb.
5 comments:
My husband and I are part of PGR here in NH. We have never had Phelps protesters in this area and yet when invited, we have seen over 300 bikes arrive for a funeral. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. We are very thankful for his service.
Yours
Lisa
when will we be bringing our soldiers home? and just shore up our borders?
If they want to protest then they need to go somewhere that it does some good NOT invade a families private time of putting their loved one to rest! This brought tears to my eyes reading what others did for him and his family to protect them from people who are so callous to protest like this. Whether you agree or disagree with what they are doing you have no right to interfere in a family's private time like this.
I agree wholeheartedly with Tonia, and reacted as emotionally to this wonderful show of support for the family as well as all veterans. I don't have to agree with the reason behind the conflict they were/are involved in to appreciate the sacrifice they are willing to make for our country, and therefore, each one of us. I love the quote, "I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." This goes for the Phelps group, too, but there is a time and a place for everything, and a funeral is NOT their time or place!
This is the way to do this, this is the way to handle it. We are Americans, therefore these people have the right to act like a@holes. We must enforce OUR rights as well, as these folks and family did. Bravo, bravo, bravo!!!! This gives me hope for our country, thank you.
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