Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Bikers drown out funeral protesters

Army Times (article)


Wearing leather chaps and vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls from one soldier's funeral to another in hopes their respectful cheers and revving engines will drown out the insults of protesters.

The motorcycle club members calling themselves Patriot Guard Riders are trying to shield mourners from cruel jeers by adherents of a tiny fundamentalist church who picket military funerals to reflect their belief that U.S. combat deaths are a sign God is punishing the United States for harboring homosexuals. Some protesters' signs said, "Thank God for IEDs," the improvised explosive devices, or homemade bombs, that kill many U.S. soldiers.

"The most important thing we can do is let families know that the nation cares," said Don Woodrick, the biker group's Kentucky captain. "When a total stranger gets on a motorcycle in the middle of winter and drives 300 miles to hold a flag, that makes a powerful statement."

3 comments:

Dr Will said...

that a-hole Fred Phelps at it again.

Ookami Snow said...

I would like to talk to Fred though. I would like to figure out what he is trying to accomplish. Like if things were to go 'as planned' what would America be like? I am sure that he would want for America would be no better off than a theocracy. And the reason why America was founded we to be free of theocracies.

That's the 'bad' part about freedom of speech, even those that want to put an end to freedom of speech are allowed to speak.

The Math Ninja said...

That is nice to see, the bikers. It makes me really happy to see what some people do to show their support for our country.