Protesters fail to disrupt N.J. soldier's funeral

The Philadelphia Inquirer ^ | June 30, 2007 | Associated Press

[Anita1]

A small group of protesters failed to disrupt funeral services in Clayton yesterday for a soldier who was killed in Iraq this month. Veterans, Boy Scouts and area residents, many waving American flags, lined the street outside St. Catherine of Siena Church, where the funeral service was held for Pfc. David J. Bentz 3d.

[Anita1]

Bentz, 20, a 2004 graduate of Clayton High School in the Gloucester County town, was killed June 20 when his Army vehicle was struck by enemy fire in Baghdad.

Before Bentz was laid to rest in Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, military officials posthumously awarded him five decorations and awards, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

The funeral was protested by three representatives of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, whose members contend that military deaths in Iraq are "God's punishment for America's tolerance of gays."

Standing behind barricades placed about 500 feet from the church - the distance required by a state law that was passed in response to the group - the protesters carried signs, shouted and sang songs.

However, they were opposed by about 30 members of the Pennsylvania-based Patriot Guard motorcycle veterans group, who responded to the protesters by loudly singing the national anthem.

I wish there was something we could do about these miguided and cruel people (to the families of the soldiers who died). There is something definitely wrong with their theology!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Ah, yes, Fred Phelps Footsoldiers for Satan. Truly sick and evil monsters.

[Kimberly GG]

God Bless the Patriot Guard! Truly, an amazingly dedicated group of Patriots!!

[goldstategop]

The loony moonbats... only three showed up? ROFL!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[trooprally]

Even the moonbats distance themselves from these $&&holes.

But that only 3 showed up is hopefully a good thing. Hopefully it means they are not getting the lawsuit money they want and that they have to stay so far away.

About a dozen were in front of Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals last year. FReepers, soldiers and Rolling Thunder were there since PGRs at the time only went to funerals.

Thank You to all that were there.

[Mr] T

[bikerman]

Thank you,I have been on 2 missions and felt honored to be their.I am member from central Florida.Check out their website www.patriot guard.org

[camle]

Thank God for the PGR!

[pyx]

I wish there was something we could do about these miguided and cruel people (to the families of the soldiers who died).

There is something ***YOU and OTHERS CAN DO***;

Stand close to the PGR (Patriot Guard Riders) and sing proudly and loudly and legally with the PGR, The National Anthem.

[wastedyears]

Help?

Nothing a little water and some alkali metals can’t fix.

[Thombo2]

“I wish there was something we could do about these misguided and cruel people...”They’ll bring it on themselves.I believe eventually they will pick the wrong place to protest.A couple yrs back they threatened to protest at the funeral of a soldier who died in Iraq.I showed up to counter-protest and much to my surprise so did 30+ bikers.Westboro was a no show.Personally i was dissapointed.The funeral and burial were very dignified and peaceful.

[EODGUY]

I can’t even respond to the content of this post or it will cost me another keyboard. Anyone who would defile the memory and final internment of the most selfless, brave, patriotic protectors of our nation are not misguided, they are evil.

I wanted to commend you on your tagline, a concept I have interjected into every conversation applicable. The left’s/mainstream media’s (you can’t separate the two, blatant, intentional and constant assertion of “freedom from religion”, control of our jargon, the definition of our vocabulary and the content of our history texts I fear contributes to the gross ignorance of young people and adults alike who refuse to search for and read accurate information.

I postponed college after my second year to enlist during Vietnam, I suspect for reasons similar to those that influenced Pfc. Bentz to volunteer to serve all of us....a debt we could never prepay.

I prayed that no other member of our military would be treated in the manner we were treated nearly 40 years ago. Albeit on a smaller scale, the actions of these “protestors” are no less harmful and demented.

I extend my prayers, sympathy and gratitude to Pfc. Bentz and his family.

EODGUY

[Froufrou]

...the Pennsylvania-based Patriot Guard motorcycle veterans group, [who] responded to the protesters by loudly singing the national anthem.

I've never understood how they feel it's okay to make a mockery of someone's final dignity like that. I see no justification for it and I feel they should be imprisoned for it. I think I would flat go beserk if I witnessed them at a funeral.

[Ciexyz]

Kudos to you for your service in Vietnam. Thank you for serving your country.

And kudos to the Patriot Guard riders for their volunteer activities.

[pyx]

Thank you for your service.
Next time you see the PGR on a mission in your area, please feel free be acknowledged by the ride captain and to stand with PGR and proudly, loudly and legally sing with them, The National Anthem.

Please feel free to visit;

http://www.patriotguard.org/.

[tioga]

We could disrupt one of their funerals with protests.