[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

[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.

[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.

[tioga]

We could disrupt one of their funerals with protests.