PDA

View Full Version : Motorcyclists Roll to Soldier Funerals



fganger
02-21-2006, 09:29 PM
I hope this is not considered political. If it is, let me know and I'll delete it - no sweat. In any case, it looks to be an interesting story of an interesting group of bikers.

This is the short version:
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Wearing vests covered in military patches, a band of motorcyclists rolls around the country from one soldier's funeral to another, cheering respectfully to overshadow jeers from church protesters.

They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and they are more than 5,000 strong, forming to counter anti-gay protests held by the Rev. Fred Phelps at military funerals.

Phelps believes American deaths in Iraq are divine punishment for a country that he says harbors homosexuals. His protesters carry signs thanking God for so-called IEDs — explosives that are a major killer of soldiers in Iraq.

Long version:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_re_us/funeral_motorcyclists

The biker group:
http://www.patriotguard.org/

Actually I've contacted them. This is a group I think I'd like to be a member of - I hope this does not get me banned here.:icon_redface:

Frank

DarthRider
02-21-2006, 11:01 PM
Good on ya' Frank!

Dave

Deans BMW
02-22-2006, 08:47 AM
What bro Dave said.

geechie
02-22-2006, 02:12 PM
Amen, Frank.

I don't think it has much to do with politics either. Religion, maybe.

George

socalrob
02-22-2006, 08:29 PM
Frank,

Sounds like a very worthwhile group. Could you let us know how it goes?

That hate group sounds so weird I almost was thinking it was made up. How twisted can people get?

NoRRmad
02-22-2006, 08:38 PM
A little writeup by the Westboro Baptist Church mentions the counter-demonstration, with a picture.

http://www.godhatesfags.com/featured/epics/2006/20060210_hutchinson-ks-epic.pdf

Ik.

JCsman
02-22-2006, 08:46 PM
FWIW I posted a similar link on the "other" board earlier. This "congregation" is well known in my home state of Kansas. (Sure makes a guy proud, sigh). The church consists of, literally, a handful of people. The majority are family members of Reverend Fred.

There is some speculation they have decided on the funeral bit after just holding "God hates fag" rallies stopped getting attention/donations. Some of the speculation is that they hope for confrontation from the grieving family and friends for publicity and lawsuits.

I could never pretend to speak for the Lord. But I suspect "judgement" day will be just that for this asshat.

If any hear of a ride in my area, please post, I'd also be proud to stand with those bikers. (Edited: Whoops, never mind. I hit Frank's link and gave them my info for contact.)