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Patriots gather in numbers to protect friends, family from funeral protestors
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By Michelle Brooks
mbrooks@newstribune.com
The last time Betty Morse spoke out in public was against the Vietnam War 40 years ago.
“But I don't remember, even in those days, anyone who would come to a soldier's funeral and call themselves religious and cause more pain,” said Morse of Jefferson City.
Just like more than 200 others from Mid-Missouri, Morse showed up early Saturday at Cole R-V High School at Eugene, Mo., to oppose Westboro Baptist Church members, who protested the memorial service for Lance Cpl. Darin Settle, 23, Henley.
“This just angered me enough to do anything I could to stop it,” Morse said.
About 200 members of the Patriot Guard, veterans organizations, the Eugene community and individuals came to protect Settle's survivors from sight or sound of the Topeka, Kan., protesters.
But the Westboro group of about 16 came with an agenda - patriotism has made the flag an idol, the First Amendment rights to speech and assembly are in jeopardy, and America will be punished for allowing sin into its culture, said Margie Phelps, an attorney and picketing member.
Missouri, in a way, picked the fight with the protesters by passing the bill which would limit their First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly, Phelps said. And another 30 states are in the process of “dismantling the core of our democracy,” she added.
And about a year ago, Phelps observed that media coverage began turning military funerals into patriotic rallies.
Phelps interpreted that “God is punishing us” for that hypocrisy and for condoning sin - the last and lowest rung on the immorality ladder being homosexuality.
“We're not interested in making a difference; it's too late,” Phelps said, when asked whether her group hoped to influence people. “America is doomed.”
Counterprotesters and funeral-goers didn't seem swayed by the agenda as they enveloped the small protest group with flags and leather- and denim-clad bodies.
“They do have the right (to free speech), but they should respect a family's right to privacy,” said Luke Bryant of Hermann. “We feel like we've done our job.
“Darin served us and we're here to serve him; we're returning the favor.”
By 10 a.m. Saturday, more than 100 motorcycles had parked in front of the school, two hours before the service. Bodies and vehicles lined Highway 17 with the intention of blocking the Westboro protesters from having close access to the location.
By 11 a.m., 16 of the Kansas-based group had arrived with signs containing demeaning messages and indecent images.
The tone was balanced at first - both sides expressing their opinions either with chants of “U.S.A” or silently holding their signs.
But as time pressed on, media began to gather and the counter-protesters were preventing reporters from video and audio access to the Westboro protesters.
The Cole County Sheriff's Department and Capitol Police officers maintained a perimeter, in which they enforced the media access, during the hour preceding the memorial service.
“Freaks like this don't need the press - when they step on and drag the flag,” said Raenell Mackey, Ashland, who served with the U.S. Army Reserve in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005.
If the Westboro group is against homosexuality, they should go to a homosexual's front yard, “but don't come to a fallen hero's funeral with another agenda ... not in my area,” Mackey said.
Eventually both sides began verbal attacks. But their behavior remained within their Constitutional rights, said Sheriff Greg White.
Toward the end, another van of would-be protesters drove by the site but due to heightened tensions at the scene, the driver was directed to leave the area, according to Missouri Highway Patrol reports.
Sheriff's Chief Deputy John Wheeler, who was directing traffic, was struck by the van, then treated for minor injuries at Capital Region Medical Center.
Even as about 800 paid their respects at the gymnasium service, another 150 or so remained outside after the Westboro group had left.
The Patriot Guard escorted the funeral procession from the school to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. U.S. 54 West traffic was stopped around 1:15 p.m. for about 10 minutes at the twin bridges.
“We support the family with our presence and our flags,” said Forrest Hatter, an U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran from Republic. “ ... And to shield them from anyone who might protest.”
Many at the event were confused about the legality of the protest.
A loophole in the existing law allowed them to gather near the school, because it doesn't fall into the definition of a church, cemetery or funeral home.
“If the family doesn't want to grieve in private, they shouldn't have turned this into a public platform,” Phelps said. “This is a patriotic pep rally; that makes it public.”
From Jefferson City, the Westboro group was headed to protest a Topeka theater following their church services, said reporter David Hammelburg with Dutch TV.
Little about American society is shocking to Hammelburg after 12 years as the Dutch TV's correspondent, he said.
“But this was,” he said, noting the time and money the Westboro group has given to its “message of hate and intolerance.”
“The Dutch are fascinated with the U.S. - political, cultural and human interest - what makes Americans tick,” Hammelburg said.
In the Netherlands, society is more on an even keel, where America has these kind of extremes, he said.
And openness - “I don't know if the media would be invited to a funeral (like this) in Holland,” Hammelburg said.
“The protesters are a shame,” said Mary Schaeffer, Linn, who came with her son, Keith, a sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve. “We support the boy that gave his life so they could protest.”
Related story:
Final farewell for a fallen soldier
“But I don't remember, even in those days, anyone who would come to a soldier's funeral and call themselves religious and cause more pain,” said Morse of Jefferson City.
Just like more than 200 others from Mid-Missouri, Morse showed up early Saturday at Cole R-V High School at Eugene, Mo., to oppose Westboro Baptist Church members, who protested the memorial service for Lance Cpl. Darin Settle, 23, Henley.
“This just angered me enough to do anything I could to stop it,” Morse said.
About 200 members of the Patriot Guard, veterans organizations, the Eugene community and individuals came to protect Settle's survivors from sight or sound of the Topeka, Kan., protesters.
But the Westboro group of about 16 came with an agenda - patriotism has made the flag an idol, the First Amendment rights to speech and assembly are in jeopardy, and America will be punished for allowing sin into its culture, said Margie Phelps, an attorney and picketing member.
Missouri, in a way, picked the fight with the protesters by passing the bill which would limit their First Amendment rights to free speech and assembly, Phelps said. And another 30 states are in the process of “dismantling the core of our democracy,” she added.
And about a year ago, Phelps observed that media coverage began turning military funerals into patriotic rallies.
Phelps interpreted that “God is punishing us” for that hypocrisy and for condoning sin - the last and lowest rung on the immorality ladder being homosexuality.
“We're not interested in making a difference; it's too late,” Phelps said, when asked whether her group hoped to influence people. “America is doomed.”
Counterprotesters and funeral-goers didn't seem swayed by the agenda as they enveloped the small protest group with flags and leather- and denim-clad bodies.
“They do have the right (to free speech), but they should respect a family's right to privacy,” said Luke Bryant of Hermann. “We feel like we've done our job.
“Darin served us and we're here to serve him; we're returning the favor.”
By 10 a.m. Saturday, more than 100 motorcycles had parked in front of the school, two hours before the service. Bodies and vehicles lined Highway 17 with the intention of blocking the Westboro protesters from having close access to the location.
By 11 a.m., 16 of the Kansas-based group had arrived with signs containing demeaning messages and indecent images.
The tone was balanced at first - both sides expressing their opinions either with chants of “U.S.A” or silently holding their signs.
But as time pressed on, media began to gather and the counter-protesters were preventing reporters from video and audio access to the Westboro protesters.
The Cole County Sheriff's Department and Capitol Police officers maintained a perimeter, in which they enforced the media access, during the hour preceding the memorial service.
“Freaks like this don't need the press - when they step on and drag the flag,” said Raenell Mackey, Ashland, who served with the U.S. Army Reserve in Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005.
If the Westboro group is against homosexuality, they should go to a homosexual's front yard, “but don't come to a fallen hero's funeral with another agenda ... not in my area,” Mackey said.
Eventually both sides began verbal attacks. But their behavior remained within their Constitutional rights, said Sheriff Greg White.
Toward the end, another van of would-be protesters drove by the site but due to heightened tensions at the scene, the driver was directed to leave the area, according to Missouri Highway Patrol reports.
Sheriff's Chief Deputy John Wheeler, who was directing traffic, was struck by the van, then treated for minor injuries at Capital Region Medical Center.
Even as about 800 paid their respects at the gymnasium service, another 150 or so remained outside after the Westboro group had left.
The Patriot Guard escorted the funeral procession from the school to the Mt. Carmel Cemetery. U.S. 54 West traffic was stopped around 1:15 p.m. for about 10 minutes at the twin bridges.
“We support the family with our presence and our flags,” said Forrest Hatter, an U.S. Army Desert Storm veteran from Republic. “ ... And to shield them from anyone who might protest.”
Many at the event were confused about the legality of the protest.
A loophole in the existing law allowed them to gather near the school, because it doesn't fall into the definition of a church, cemetery or funeral home.
“If the family doesn't want to grieve in private, they shouldn't have turned this into a public platform,” Phelps said. “This is a patriotic pep rally; that makes it public.”
From Jefferson City, the Westboro group was headed to protest a Topeka theater following their church services, said reporter David Hammelburg with Dutch TV.
Little about American society is shocking to Hammelburg after 12 years as the Dutch TV's correspondent, he said.
“But this was,” he said, noting the time and money the Westboro group has given to its “message of hate and intolerance.”
“The Dutch are fascinated with the U.S. - political, cultural and human interest - what makes Americans tick,” Hammelburg said.
In the Netherlands, society is more on an even keel, where America has these kind of extremes, he said.
And openness - “I don't know if the media would be invited to a funeral (like this) in Holland,” Hammelburg said.
“The protesters are a shame,” said Mary Schaeffer, Linn, who came with her son, Keith, a sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve. “We support the boy that gave his life so they could protest.”
Related story:
Final farewell for a fallen soldier
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