Patriot Guard

Patriot Guard Story:

Mission: To show sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities, and to shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

In 1995 a bomb exploded at the Westboro Baptist Church compound in Topeka. The Police concluded that it was linked to a serial bomber with no ties to any anti-Westboro group. But Rev. Fred Phelps claimed that the other bombs were a "cover" for the one at the compound, and that it was all part of a plot by the government to silence the WBC for their old testament style, anti-gay stance. The WBC preaches that "God hates fags" and that America's sinful tolerance of homosexuals is the object of God's wrath. In their twisted logic, when a soldier is killed in Iraq, God is reaping His vengeance on America for her "fag sins."

From godhatesfags.com:

"America bombed our church with an IED made by fag students at Washburn U. in Topeka. In his retaliatory wrath, God is killing Americans with Muslim IEDs: "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." 1 Chron. 16:22. "For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Rom. 12:19. God Almighty killed Marine Sgt. Miles. He died in shame, not honor - for a fag nation cursed by God: "Buried with the burial of an ass." Jer. 22:19. Then, cast into Hell with his Marine pals.

Phelps created godhatesfags.com and published flyers saying such things as "Praise the Lord for 2,010 Dead Soldiers in Iraq" and "We humbly pray to God to please kill many more". They began protesting at military funerals with signs like "No Fags in Heaven" and chanting "God Hates Fags." They screamed to grieving parents that their children were in hell as divine punishment for nation's tolerance of homosexuals.

Members of American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas formed the Patriot Guard in August 2005 to help protect families from the indignities caused by WBC protesters. They participate at the invitation of the family, with the consent of local law enforcement, and through strictly non-violent, legal means. The Guard has grown to 28,000 members, they are an inclusive group and all are encouraged to join.

Click [here] for a WBC press release announcing plans to protest in western Michigan at the funeral of Sgt. Richard Herrema who was killed by small arms fire in Baghdad. Click [here] for the Grand Rapids Press account of how the Patriot Guard protected Sgt. Herrema's family.

Citations:
Patriot Guard Web Site
Time Magazine Article
Wikipedia article on the WBC
Anti-Defamation League on WBC